SUBMISSIONS GUIDELINES
(January - June 2000)
Poetry
BlackWords Poetry Chapbook Series
Please submit two hard-copy versions of five (5) of your most representative poems, along
with a cover letter, photo and a bio (tape/CD optional). BlackWords, PO Box 21,
Alexandria, VA 22313. Deadline: Year-round. Response time is 8 weeks.
ATTENTION POETS!
BlackWords, Inc. is publishing a collection of short, feel-good poems. Send us your poems
of inspiration, of love, of upliftment, and definitely, of humor. We want poems that make
us smile in the morning, give us hope during the day, and open our hearts, at night. Poems
submitted should be a maximum of 30 lines. Any form of verse, (haiku, free verse, etc.).
We prefer to keep it on the positive and uplifting side. You may email or send your
submissions. For mailed submissions, please include a printout of your formatted poem(s)
and softcopy (Word Perfect or Microsoft Word in IBM Format). Poems will not be returned
unless you enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope. For emailed submissions, include
your poem(s) in the email message, not as an attachment. Accepted poets will be notified
by May 1, 2000.
Please send submissions to:
Angela Boykin
Attn: BlackWords
PO Box 1266
Washington, DC 20013
ebonyimages@hotmail.com
Fiction
Literary Fiction and Mystery/Thriller/Pulp Fiction
Series
BlackWords is accepting submissions of well-written Literary Fiction; downlow books, an
imprint of BlackWords, is accepting submissions of Urban mystery/thriller novels that have
compelling Black Characters and exciting storylines. Literary novels should be 60,000 -
100,000 words. Urban Thriller Novels should be between 50,000 and 80,000 words. Submit two
(2) copies of first three chapters of manuscript along with a cover letter, bio, photo and
summary. Send to: BlackWords, PO Box 21, Alexandria, VA 22313. Deadline: Year Round.
Response Time: 8 weeks
Short Story Anthology Call for Submissions
There is no place quite like the city, and there is a distinct feel to a city story. More
than a setting, the city takes an active role in the heart of the story and the lives of
it's characters. Editors of a new short story anthology want your fictional city stories.
Cities are filled with exciting and interesting characters and stories; we want to feel
that life through your work. Stories may be set in any US city, but the city and it's
environment should play a major role in the story. Any genre is acceptable (romance,
mystery, suspense, mainstream) and should be between 5-10 pages in length (approximately
2500 words). All entries should be typed and double spaced. Please make sure your story is
fiction, no non-fiction entries will be accepted. Entries should be mailed to PO Box
(whatever) or citystories@yahoo.com. The
deadline for entries is April 1st.
Creative Non-fiction
We are not accepting any non-fiction manuscripts. Our non-fiction submission guidelines will be announced in July 2000.
BlackWords, Inc.
PO Box 21
Alexandria, VA 22313
703.912.1755
http://www.BlackWords.com