Campfire Stories is a collection of stories from America’s beloved national parks and outdoor regions, intended to be read together around the fire (literal or figurative!). Created by Dave and Ilyssa Kyu, the series brings a wide range of nature-focused stories, through diverse forms of writing (e.g. essays, prose, poetry, ballads, short stories), that convey an authentic sense of place.
For their next project, Dave and Ilyssa Kyu will focus on beloved regions across the USA, and are now actively seeking contemporary writers for Campfire Stories: Chesapeake Bay—an anthology of stories from Chesapeake Bay.
Background
Volume I was published in 2018 and Volume II in 2023 with Mountaineers Books. These volumes featured stories from notable writers like Cheryl Strayed, John Muir, and Bill Bryson, award winners such as Lauret Savoy, Rae DelBianco, and Terry Tempest Williams, and newer voices including Derick Lugo, Rosette Royale, and Ed Bok Lee.
What We’re Looking For
Unlike the national park volumes, Campfire Stories: Chesapeake Bay will be a standalone paperback volume. We’re looking for existing stories AND to commission new works about the Chesapeake Bay.
Similar to Campfire Stories: Volume I & II, the new book Campfire Stories: Chesapeake Bay anthology will capture the essence of the region and highlight the distinctive natural features, flora, fauna, community, history, and experiences of the Chesapeake Bay.
We seek nature-focused stories, through diverse forms of writing (e.g. essays, prose, poetry, ballads, short stories) that convey an authentic sense of place. Stories should not exceed 2,000 words.
You can learn more about what we’re seeking here: https://www.campfirestoriesbook.com/call-for-submissions-chesapeake-bay
All are welcome. While all writers are considered and encouraged to apply, Dave and Ilyssa Kyu specifically seek to include emerging writers, as well as individuals underrepresented in the outdoors, including writers who are part of the following communities:
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Black, Indigenous & People of Color (BIPOC)
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LGBTQ+
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Persons with disabilities
Deadline
Apply by December 1, 2023!