Wild Librarian Press

CRONE LIT Call for Submissions

SUBMISSIONS FOR CRONE LIT ARE NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO ALL THE WRITERS WHO SUBMITTED THEIR WORK FOR CONSIDERATION.

Please read and carefully follow the “Submission Guidelines” below.

Submissions for Crone Lit: A Collection of Crone Literature to be published by Wild Librarian Press in late 2022 or early 2023, are being accepted June 1, 2022 - June 30, 2022. Short stories, essays, creative nonfiction, and poetry are desired. We welcome submissions from writers of all ages and genders.

“Crone” is a rich word with diverse meanings. The following definitions are offered: An older wise woman. An elder. One who may laugh a lot & tell stories. One who may howl at the moon and be bawdy, compassionate, and playful. A complex soul. An old and spicy free spirit. (Other definitions and imaginings are welcome!)

What, then, is “Crone Lit?” Crone Lit, short for Crone Literature, is understood in the context of this anthology as any work that deals with some aspect of crones and cronedom. For female-identifying writers, this may be one’s own journey with aging and embracing elderhood. Other possibilities include a fictional work with a crone, a tribute to a crone in your life, or a host of other creative ways of using your literary talents. Please feel free in your exploration. 

Submission Guidelines

• One submission per writer in one category only. Please do not submit for more than one category.

• Stories, essays, and creative nonfiction must be a minimum of 750 words to a maximum of 1,500 words. Works longer than these guidelines will not be considered, so that room is available for many voices.

• 1-2 poems are considered a single poetry submission. Each poem may have a maximum of 50 lines.

• A bio is not required at this stage. All who wish to contribute are encouraged to submit your work regardless of your publishing history. If your work is accepted, we will require a bio before publication.

• What is desired? Writing that is soulful, authentic, deep, and accessible to a general audience. Whimsy is great also, but please no overly sentimental writing. Your work, of course, does not need to include the word “crone,” yet some aspect of a crone or cronedom must be evident, even if it is subtle. Please consider the genre of Crone Lit broadly. For example, an essay about one’s personal experience with aging (for female-identifying writers), a fictional piece with an older woman as a character, or a poem about an elderly woman in the community may all fit under the wide umbrella of the genre.

• Please do not submit academic and scholarly work that contains numerous citations. Crone Lit is for a general audience. We understand, however, that personal essays may include some citations if you reference other works. Please refer to The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition for proper citing of any sources.  

• Unpublished work is desired. Previously published work will be considered, but permission(s) to republish the work must be obtained and provided to Wild Librarian Press. Self-publishing on your personal website, in a zine you created, or through your social media accounts is not considered previously published. Please inquire if you have any questions.

• Is there a submission fee? No!

• Will I be paid if my work is accepted? All contributors whose work is accepted will receive a copy of the published paperback book. Wild Librarian Press is a solo-woman adventure founded in 2021. Crone Lit will be the press’ second or third publication. Although Wild Librarian Press would love to offer each contributor a payment, such funds are not available. We hope you will still desire to add your voice to this collaborative effort!

• Crone Lit will be published as a paperback and Kindle e-book. The paperback will be available through all major online retailers, including Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Wild Librarian Press titles are distributed by Ingram.

• Calls for anthologies often attract more submissions than space allows. Although all submitted work cannot be accepted, every submission will be thoughtfully and respectfully read and considered.

• You will hear about the status of your submission by July 30, 2022.

• Please send any questions to Stacy Russo at stacy@love-activism.com 

Crone Lit Editors’ Bios

Stacy Russo, MA, MLIS, librarian and associate professor at Santa Ana College, is committed to creating books and art for a more peaceful world. She is the author of several nonfiction books, the editor of two essay collections, a published poet, and the author/illustrator of two children’s picture books. Stacy's books have been featured on National Public Radio, Pacifica Radio, the Canadian Broadcasting System, Sirius XM Radio, KCET Artbound, LA Weekly, and various other media channels. She served as a longtime book reviewer for Library Journal and has over seventy published reviews, primarily in the areas of women’s literature, American literature, and literary biography. After years of working as a writer within the traditional publishing model, she created Wild Librarian Press in 2021 to independently publish her writing and the work of other writers. 

Julie Artman, MFA, MLIS, is a librarian and teaches mindfulness at Chapman University in California. Julie has worked as a theatre director and acting coach in NYC, LA, and regionally. Julie is certified in mindfulness facilitation and teaching by UCLA’s Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior and by the International Mindfulness Teachers Association. Julie is an Association of College and Research Libraries Choice book reviewer and her co-authored book on using acting skills to create a dynamic teaching presence is forthcoming.