Writing the Impact of Violent Conflict: Collateral's 10th Anniversary Special Craft Issue
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No human being is exempt from encountering violent conflict in its various forms, whether through war, displacement, systemic oppression, or the images and headlines flashing daily upon our screens. Here at Collateral, we believe in the power of art to illuminate resistance to such violence and begin restoring the human spirit in its aftermath, on both an individual and communal level.
But how does one go about the daunting process translating personal experiences of violence to the page or canvas? To honor our first ten years of working together, Collateral is putting together a special print edition of flash pieces that seek to answer this question, and we invite all past and current contributors to submit nonfiction pieces (500 words or fewer) exploring the process of creating art that echoes our mission.
What would you share with emerging writers and artists about making work that speaks to the human cost of violent conflict in all its forms? How do you approach writing about violence and the emotional toll that such writing can take? Are their certain practices that have guided your work? How can creative expression help us exist within both grief and hope? We encourage you to interpret these questions through your own experiences rather than drafting prescriptive rules. Show us how your creative practice witnesses, transforms, or resists the effects of violence, and how it connects to a broader sense of community and humanity.
Submissions must NOT be previously curated or published. Submit .doc or .docx if possible; if you submit a .pdf and your work is accepted, you will need to submit a .doc or .docx on request. Contributors are required to identify which issue their work has appeared in previously. An optional $5 donation to this project is available (thank you!) but not required for consideration.
Still have questions? Let us know at collateralsubmissions@gmail.com.