The Caribbean Writer (TCW) has reissued its call for submissions for Volume 38 under the 2024 theme: “Legacies: Reckoning and Resolve.” We inherit the legacies of those who marched before us, if not directly, some other ways and so reckoning has become a way of life. Some suggest that what will save us is our resolve.
Contributors may submit works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays or one act plays which explore the ideas resonating within the region and its diaspora. The Caribbean should be central to the work, or the work should reflect a Caribbean heritage, experience or perspective. Prospective authors should submit in Word format all creative works: drama, fiction and poetry manuscripts, through the online portal ONLY at www.thecaribbeanwriter.org/online-submission.
Note that TCW does not accept hardcopy submissions.
Individuals may submit poems (3 maximum), short stories (2 maximum) and personal essays (2 maximum) on general topics as well as on the theme. The maximum length (for short stories and personal essays) is 3500 words. Only previously unpublished work will be considered. The term “previously published” covers print and electronic publication —including on social media platforms, and self-published items. The Caribbean Writer does not accept simultaneous submissions (items being considered for publication elsewhere). On a separate page in that submission, the prospective author should provide contact information including mailing address, phone number, any professional affiliations, brief biographical information (no more than 100 words and such as appears under the “Contributors” section of the journal). In the event that the author’s contact information changes, all updates should be made by the author by logging into the online account.
Artists interested in having their artwork considered for use by TCW should submit electronic files in vertical format as PNG or JPEG files with a resolution of 300 dpi or greater. The journal also accepts black and white art (line drawings, sketches, block prints, etc.). The journal does not accept graphic poetry or narratives.
Before submitting, the writer should carefully edit and proofread the manuscript, adhering to publication-ready details, as well as standards of proofreading such as spelling, grammar, punctuation, formatting and consistent language, along with the elimination of typographical errors, and with focus on the overall quality of the work.
The Caribbean Writer is a refereed journal. There are no fees payable to submit or publish in this journal. All submissions undergo an initial blind review by the editor. Creative works, such as fiction, poetry and drama, after editorial review, are advanced by the editor to the double-blind peer review process. In this process, both the reviewers’ and authors’ identities are concealed from the reviewers and vice versa throughout the review process.
Submissions are accepted from Jan. 1, to Dec. 31, each year and are considered for the journal that will be published the following year. (In other words, volume 36 will be published in 2022 and entries submitted between Jan. 10, and Dec. 31, of 2021 will be considered for volume 36.) The deadline for submissions each year is Dec. 31. Submit Word files at www.thecaribbeanwriter.org/online-submissions/
Literary Prizes
All submissions are eligible for these annual prizes:
The Canute A. Brodhurst Prize of $600 awarded to a writer for best short fiction. Donated by the St. Croix Avis Newspaper
The Daily News Prize of $500 awarded to a resident of the US Virgin Islands or the British Virgin Islands.
The Marvin E. Williams Literary Prize of $500 awarded to a new or emerging writer. Donated by Marvin’s widow, Dasil Williams, in honor of her late husband who served as the editor of The Caribbean Writer from 2003 - 2008.
The Vincent Cooper Literary Prize of $300 awarded to a Caribbean author for exemplary writing in Caribbean Nation Language (Kamau Brathwaite). Donated by UVI Professor Vincent Cooper, PhD.
For more information, contact The Caribbean Writer at thecaribbeanwriter@uvi.edu.