I am a poet and writer, but I am also an editor too. Obviously, if poets and writers are going to present their best work/words, they will need to edit their work, before they ever show it to other people, whether friends, family, or writing buddies. And they will have to do an even more intense job of editing their work before they present it to a publisher, if they want to make the grade, and get their work published.
I have done these things, and have been published, and still receive royalties for my work, many years after publication … So with all of my experience with books, and also as the Editor of the Mallala Crossroad Chronicle, a monthly newsletter that is distributed in Mallala and beyond, as well as being available at the Facebook page. This newsletter has been going for fifteen years, and I have been the sole editor for most of those years. It is a popular item and well received indeed.
I have also been the President of Adelaide Plains Poets from it’s beginnings, it is a great group, a writing group that meets every week. The Adelaide Plains Poets also has an annual Poetry competition, and a Festival of Books too. These popular avenues assist in bringing the love of words to many others, both local, and all around Australia.
So there are my credentials regarding creative writing. The reason I want to make this clear, is that I want people to feel confident in sending me their own creative words, to be involved in being published in an Anthology. I have put together poetry collections of my own, and have also had my own creative words published in other Anthologies with other editors. So I know a bit about both collections and anthologies.
And if I’m going to put my attention, and my money, into putting together a Creative Writing Anthology, I want it to be something that is likely to attract attention, both of writers initially, and of book readers, once it is published. And what is the thing that is taking up the attention, and time of us all at the moment? It’s the coronavirus, or Covid-19.
The working title of this book at the moment is “Plague Invasion”. Does this get your mind working, thinking about possible ideas? A poem about being in Lock Down, and finding it so dreary you turn to creating a vegetable garden? Or an article on the same topic, perhaps. Or you may think about the work being done to keep us all safe, and the craziness of wearing face masks, whether they’re needed or not.
The uncertainty of the whole thing, and the stupid risks being taken by some levels of society, could become an article or a flash fiction story perhaps, of one of the risk takers, whether an eighteen year old person sitting closely together with their mates, or a more mature person just back from their most recent cruise, and infecting others and bringing about the closing down of some small towns.
All of these topics would be suitable, and more. You may have knowledge of all of this from a medical viewpoint, or perhaps you have knowledge of previous plagues from the past. These would be suitable too. I will be looking for as many different ideas, and viewpoints as possible. And as an avid dog lover, I would be very interested in having a look at all of this Locked Down situation from a pet’s point of view.
The memes I’ve seen about this indicate dogs loving having their humans present more often, while cats very much dislike it. What do you think? Write about it and send it in! Anything you have that may fit into this theme, that’s what I want you to send to me.
So, if you have something, please get it to me before 31 July 2020, by sending it as an attachment, to kittycordo@gmail.com, using the subject of ‘submission, Plague Invasion’
If you would like to know more about this, feel free to send me a query, at the same email address, with the subject of ‘query Plague Invasion’.
I imagine there will be around 70 to 80 pages in this anthology, it would be wonderful if it got to 150 or so pages, the answer to the size of the book depends on how many responses are received.
I look forward to reading your response.
Carolyn Cordon - Creative 
Wow! What a wonderful idea to promote togetherness during these times. I really love this, since you’re right, COVID-19 is on the forefront of most people’s minds.
I think I will participate, especially since this is such a lovely Creative Writing idea and prompt.
Stay safe and healthy! ❤️
LikeLike
Hi Lucy, I just feel like I need to get involved with my creative writing pals, because we have things to say about life, and death, and we need to share what we feel and know. And writing creatively is how we do our best work/words. So yes, please send something!
LikeLiked by 1 person
terrific idea, Carolyn, well worthy of support. I’m pretty sure I’ll be submitting to this. Cheers. John
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you John, I look forward to receiving your possibly (probably), quirky response.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Ligaya Garden and commented:
My friend, Carolyn Cordon has a writing competition going. She’s asking for submissions for an anthology of writings on the current craziness. It’ll be called ‘Plague Invasion’ and is open to writers and poets of the best sorts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Are you still open for submission? Deadlines any?
LikeLike
The closing date for submissions in 31 July, so there’s still quite a long time to send in your best responses to Covid-19. Up to 3 poems of up to thirty lines each, and/or up to 3 pieces of prose, or 2,000 words in total. So lots of options to share various ideas and thoughts there. I wan a broad range of responses, sensible to silly, wild to worthy, and all things in between!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, the deadline is 31 July, but I hope to have enough for a good sized Anthology before then. So send in pieces for consideration, and I will consider them! Up to 3 poems of up to 30 lines, and/or up to 3 pieces of prose of up to 2,000 lines in total altogether.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Carolyn, I look forward to holding a dialogue with you in these times. I was reading your blog here and being the grammarian I am, an excessive amount of my attention was drawn to your first sentence. You stated, “I am a poet and writer, but I am also an editor too.” Examine these alternative options to your first sentence and tell me which sounds more acceptable or plausible:
(1)I am a poet, writer, and editor.
(2)I am a poet, writer, and an editor.
(3)I am a poet, writer, and an editor as well.
(4)I am a poet and writer, not to mention an editor as well.
In the latter half you used the word “too.” While there is nothing wrong with that, the word itself is not as impactful as a noun or one of its synonyms.
LikeLike
Thank you Grammar Wizard, for your well considered response. I like to maintain a friendly tone to my posts, so that I engage my readers.
I think that my sentence would read better if I were to make one change only, and that would be to remove the word ‘too’ at the end of the sentence, as being unneeded. My intent with this sentence was to draw attention particularly to the fact that I am an editor, as well as a poet and writer.
LikeLike
Hey Carolyn
Love the idea of the lockdown anthologie and will definately send something in for inclusion. Ant and all editorial comments very welcome.
LikeLike
Thank you. send work in, I’ll look at it and let you know …
LikeLike
I’m new and think this is a great idea. How has the response been?
LikeLike
Thank you, this idea came to me and I thought I may get perhaps 60 pieces of writing in response, but it’s been better, much better than that. I currently have 100 pages in the anthology, with more on the way from people I know. It’s been a wonderful and heartening experience.
LikeLike
And I’ve received submissions from people in other countries, who I didn’t even know. It’s been awesome!
LikeLike
Is this still going on? I would like to participate if it is!
LikeLike
Hi, thanks for your interest.
This is open for submissions until 31 July 2020. So yes, definitely submit something! I’l looking for poetry and prose. Poetry: up to three poems of thirty lines per poem, and Prose: up to 3,000 words in up to three different pieces. There is no payment for pieces accepted, but accepted contributors will receive a free copy of the anthology “Plague Invasion – Creative Writing Responses to Covid-19”. Contributors outside of Australia will need to pay postage costs.
So yes, if you’re interested, please send in your Covid words!
LikeLike