Calling all Hackney writers

A new Hackney-based literary project is inviting submissions from local writers.

The project organisers are looking for writers from across Hackney to contribute to a new anthology of writings about the area, to be published in July 2011.

Gary Budden is one of those involved in the project. He says: “We are looking for original and differing perspectives from people who live in the borough, with a focus on airing the voices of those involved in the various subcultures and communities that are unrepresented in fiction – marginal, hidden or alternative viewpoints. We don’t want to stick to the official story”.

The project seeks in particular personal, interesting stories, poems and essays exploring social, political and cultural themes.

A number of prominent local writers have already expressed an interest in getting involved, including novelists Lee Rourke and Joe Dunthorne, poets Molly Naylor and Sam Berkson, and journalists Tom Burrows and Nell Frizzell.

Contributions can be short fiction (up to 5000 words), flash fiction (up to 500 words), essays (3000 words maximum), and poetry (up to 5 poems).

If you would like to contribute, you can get in touch with a proposal or synopsis for your idea, and preferably an example of your work.

Nothing homophobic, sexist or racist will be accepted, nor will any writing that has been published previously.

The deadline for synopses is 15 March 2011.

For further questions and/or submissions please contact: hackneysubmissions@gmail.com.