Taevo Publishing wants to elevate your voice and publish your story.
One that explores the truths behind intimate partner violence from actual survivors.
Submission deadline: June 30, 2024
Raising awareness regarding domestic violence is very important to us at Taevo.
Why I Stayed will be an anthology of 40,000 – 50,000 words, edited by Tamara Mayo and a to-be-appointed editor, featuring stories from survivors of intimate partner violence.
This anthology will be part one of a two-part book series – the goal being to bring a deeper understanding and empathy to domestic violence victims, and to hopefully shift the narrative away from blaming the victim and using verbiage such as, “She’s choosing to stay in that relationship, so clearly she just wants it to happen…”
We welcome well-told stories that explore the truths about how domestic partner violence doesn’t start on a physical level – these stories should explore how the victim was first exposed to mental and emotional abuse that wore them down internally before any actual physical abuse began,
Note: Book Two is entitled, “Why I Left”, and is a celebration of how survivors overcame and found the strength to leave their abusive situations. Authors who are accepted for the first anthology will need to submit a separate piece when submissions open for that book.
Own voices and diversity
At Taevo Publishing, we want people of all backgrounds to be heard – this includes men who may have found themselves in a domestic violence situation yet are ashamed to admit it for fear of being labeled “weak”.
We understand the sensitive nature of this topic and the need for some writers to use a pen name or pseudonym for privacy or safety purposes. Usage of a pseudonym is permitted.
No AI-generated pieces
While we champion innovation and the advantages that AI offers, we will not accept AI-generated or AI-edited pieces.
Submission guidelines – what you can submit
• Memoir excerpts up to 2,500 words
• Short stories up to 3,000 words – we understand that some writers do not want to reveal their names or may need to change the names of those involved in order to avoid retaliation. This is not only permitted but encouraged.
• Black-and-white art illustrations
• Poetry – Up to 50 lines
• No simultaneous submissions
• Reprints are OK
• Multiple submissions from one author are OK
If you feel you have a story or illustration that fits this anthology but doesn’t fit the guidelines perfectly, please do not self-reject your piece. We highly recommend that you submit it and give us the opportunity to see it first.
What we’re paying
We are paying a flat rate per submission.
• $100 per memoir excerpt
• $100 per short story
• $50 per poem
• $50-$100 per illustration (it depends on the size and complexity of the image)
How to submit
The submission deadline is June 30, 2024.
To ensure that your manuscript is not auto-rejected, please follow these guidelines:
Write a brief cover letter describing yourself and your story.
If your submission does not meet the exact guidelines above, please explain how
For memoirs, short stories, or poems:
o Format your story according to SMF (standard manuscript format). Need an example? Here’s a link to a comprehensive sample of how to format your manuscript.
o Save your document in Word, Open Office, or as a plain text document
o Name the document file as: “Author Name – Title of Story or Poem”
For art:
o Save your work in .PNG, Photoshop, or Illustrator format
o Name the document file as: “Artist Name – Title of Piece”
Email submissions@taevopublishing.com with the following:
o Subject: Why I Stayed Anthology Submission: “Title of the Piece”
o Body: Put your cover letter here
o Attachment: The piece you’re submitting
Note: If you need special accommodation for your submission, or if certain aspects of the guidelines cannot be fulfilled due to accessibility needs, please email us. Taevo Publishing wants our anthology submission call to be open to everyone. We are always happy to assist.
Not ready to submit?
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