Call for submissions – Mixing Roots Anthology
Showcasing the voices of emerging young women writers of colour
In partnership with Manchester Poetry Library at Manchester Metropolitan University, we are open for submissions of poetry and poetic flash fiction before 11th July 2024 – from new, aspiring and emerging young women writers of colour (aged 15 to 30), for our first full-length Mixing Roots anthology.
Edited by Mixing Roots founder and Sheffield Poet Laureate 2020-22, Warda Yassin, the anthology will showcase the work of young writers from previous Mixing Roots programmes alongside work from this open call. Warda will read and select from all submissions.
Who can submit?
We welcome submissions from new, aspiring and emerging young woman writers of colour or mixed heritage, aged 15 to 30, from/based, or with a term address in the North or Midlands (as defined on this map)
To submit
Email your poetry and/or poetic flash fiction (up to 3 pieces in total) anytime before 11th July 2024. Poems can be up to 50 lines each, and poetic flash fiction pieces up to 300 words each. Work can be previously published, but please state. Send your submission/s in one Word or rich text (rtf) document (only), adding, at the top of the first page: full name | age | date of birth | address | email | telephone | educational institute (if relevant) | & details of previous publication if relevant. Subject line ‘submission’ to: [email protected]
Your submission:
There are no themes or styles favoured, we’re just looking for great, original writing and authentic voices. We understand that, for some, this might be your first time submitting to a print anthology. Don’t worry, have a go! Our best tip is to take your time getting your work the best it can be. Also…
Free poetry writing workshops & other inspiration: If you’re looking for inspiration, Warda is running two free Zoom poetry writing workshops on Sunday 16th and 23rd June. You can sign up here. You’ll also find some writing prompts, tips and resources over on our competition page. And for inspiring examples of great writing, there are tons of resources and websites online such as some great flash fiction websites here, and an extensive archive of wonderful poems at andotherpoems.com
About Mixing Roots
The Mixing Roots project was set up in 2019 by poet Warda Yassin with the support of Hive. It exists to encourage and support the creative development of new, aspiring and emerging young women writers of colour. Over the last few years, four Mixing Roots programmes have been delivered and several pamphlet publications produced. This Mixing Roots anthology will be the first book-length anthology from the project celebrating a wide range of voices of colour from across the north.
About Manchester Poetry Library at Manchester Metropolitan University
Based in the heart of Manchester, a UNESCO City of Literature, we are developing an extensive collection of contemporary poetry from books to recordings, in multiple languages. We aim to create an exceptional poetry research centre, a space where poetry belongs to everyone, and can be enjoyed and celebrated. At the heart of what we do is the recognition of the value and impact of poetry on individuals and communities. Visit us here.
Warda Yassin is a British Somali poet and English teacher based in Sheffield. She was a winner of the 2018 New Poets Prize for her debut pamphlet Tea with Cardamom (Poetry Business 2019). Her poems have appeared widely in journals including Poetry Birmingham, Magma, Poetry Wales, The North and Oxford Poetry. She’s been anthologised in collections such as Verse Matters (Valley Press), Anthology X (Smith|Doorstep), More Fiyah (Cannongate) & after hours (Hive). Warda’s recent pamphlet collaboration with poets Danae Wellington and Sile Sibanda, Split Out the Myth, was published by Smith Doorstep in 2023. She was a recipient of the Women Poet’s Prize 2020 and Sheffield Poet Laureate 2020-2022. Warda, as a founding member of Hive Poetry Collective, recognises from her own experience, how writing networks can support young writers to reach their potential.
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Also, if you’re interested in online poetry workshops in general as a young woman of colour based in the north of England, please also drop us a line at: [email protected] with your name, age, date of birth and location.