The Letters I’ll Never Send anthology is a new project edited by poet Jackie Bluu to “bring a community of women (or those who identify as women) together to collectively share their stories, emotions, thoughts, or whatever it is that they’re looking to get off their chests. I hope this brings all of us together, spiritually, cathartically, or in some other positive way.” The  deadline for submissions of non-fiction, poetry, prose, and genre-bending pieces is December 21, 2021. For more information, see my interview with Bluu and a link to submission guidelines below.

HOPKINSON: How/why was the idea for this anthology first imagined? 

BLUU: I get ideas that pop up randomly in my mind, and sometimes I run with them. This was essentially how this idea came to be. But more profoundly, I’ve always enjoyed raw and intimate writings, living another life through the lens of the narrator. I think there is something so warm and filling about connecting with someone else through their experiences. And if what you’re reading resonates with you or you relate in a powerful way, then that is even more rewarding – for both parties, I’d imagine. So this is what I hope to convey in this anthology: connection, understanding, community, maybe even friendship.

HOPKINSON: Who is your target reader audience? 

BLUU: Adult women, aged 20+ up

HOPKINSON: What type of work are you looking for? 

BLUU: Personal essays, poems, diary entries, letters, postcards, prose, prosaic poems

HOPKINSON: What do you wish you’d see submitted, but rarely comes in? 

BLUU: Diary entries! I have a thing for diaries – I used to keep many of those, and journals, but I’ve fallen too lazy to keep up with my own. 

HOPKINSON: What are some of your favorite lit mags/journals?

BLUU: Narratively, The Sun, FishFood Magazine (my own lit mag), Dame Magazine

HOPKINSON: What is your favorite part of being an editor?

BLUU: I am always honored to be trusted with someone’s work – I get to read all of these amazing pieces! I get goosebumps when I read something I find brilliant and can’t click the “Accept” button fast enough. 

HOPKINSON: Where can we send submissions? 

BLUU: bluubooks@gmail.com

HOPKINSON: If someone has a question, how can they contact you? 

BLUU: Email bluubooks@gmail.com.

Click here to read submission guidelines.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: December 31, 2021 (Extended)

FORMAT: Print

SUBMISSION FEE: None 

PAYMENT: $50.00

SUBMISSION METHOD: Email

SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS: Yes

FORMS: Non-fiction, Poetry, Prose, Genre-bending pieces

SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook, Instagram

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