The history of the Christian community includes a fear of the "other" (including homosexuals and gays, persons with mental and/or physical illnesses, persons who are disabled, women called to preach and/or women called to leadership positions, transsexual and transgender people, ethnic minorities, etc.) that has barred many from meaningful involvement. It is one of many factors that have helped create an atmosphere in which physical bullying in the streets and "spiritual bullying" from the pulpit is tacitly condoned. Arguments supporting this subjugation have included everything from "Women should keep silent in the church," to "God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve." The resulting degradation has been felt most recently in the well publicized suicides among LGBTQ youth. Nevertheless, many "outsiders" claim a powerful relationship with and intimate knowledge of Christ that both empowers their lives and sustains their tenacious hold to the Christian faith. The mission of this contest is to create a positive and empowering platform of self-expression for these individuals.
"This is My Story" Open-And-Affirming Christian Poetry Contest
Consider this: Your story can open minds. Your testimony can make it better for others.
Finally! A competition to showcase Christ-followers (church-goers or not) of all sexual orientations, races, denominations, abilities, genders, and socio-economic backgrounds, as well as those who may be physically or mentally challenged.
NuWine Press is looking for unpublished writings in various formats: psalms, poems and free verse (non-rhyming) stories of conversions, miracles, healings, experiences with God, dreams, visions, triumphs over adversity, theological insights, prophetic inspirations, etc.
Winning submissions will be published in an upcoming anthology to be sold at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and other outlets.
The March 15th, 2011 deadline will be here sooner than you think. Submit your writing today - or click the Google button to set a reminder!
* All submissions (up to 3 poems per author) must be made by March 15, 2011. Please read the submission guidelines.
* Submissions must be e-mailed to: NuWinePress-MyStory@gmail.com (Use your complete name in the subject header)
* Each poet must also submit one paragraph sharing what led you to enter this contest and a brief answer to the question: "Who am I to humankind and who am I to Christ?"
* There is no entry fee and no cash prize. Winning entries will be published in an upcoming book.
* If you are a person for whom e-mail submission presents a challenge, please have a friend contact us via e-mail so that other arrangements can be made.
More information here.
This blog is no longer updated. Please instead visit Writers For Diversity for new opportunities for women/ LGBT writers and writers of color. Thank you.
