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Published by: Ali on 24th Jan 2012 | View all blogs by Ali

In a top secret bunker cunningly hidden on The Cloud beyond the wit of man or woman (it’s that wispy bit just to the left) OFP,Veek and myself have been beavering away on a classified project. (I told them beavering was illegal in this country, but would they listen...?)

We are now ready to reveal this project, mainly ‘cos we need your help. We are going to write an e-book of poetry, short stories and flash fiction in aid of SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airman and Families Association) http://www.ssafa.org.uk/.

They are the country’s oldest armed forces charity and provide help to people who are serving or have ever served, even for one day.

The working title of this project is ‘Warrior Poets’ and we would like you to help by submitting work and/or using your editing skills. We already have the Writer’s Workshop on board as our support team (apart from editing, that would be cheating anyway.)

Submissions

To submit work you need to have an armed forces link, which actually will be most of you. I don’t care if your Great Uncle 6 times removed was third assistant bottle washer at the Battle of Trafalgar, if you’ve got a good story please submit it.

We want poems, short stories (max 3000 words) and flash fiction. This includes life writing, ie true stories, diary extracts etc.

What I definitely do not want is anything political, racist or abusive.

Please submit on Warrior Poets group page.

Deadline will be 1 September (subject to change) in order to edit book for Crimbo.

Other ways to help.

You can also help by offering to critique or edit work. Either in a buddy-buddy system with another Cloudite or on the Warrior Poets Group page.

I hope the book will also contain work from serving personnel, their families, other, maybe older, veterans, the odd classic poem and maybe the odd celeb. (most of them are...odd that is)

That’s it really, although I’m sure I’ve forgotten something. A publication date hasn’t been decided with SSAFA yet, but they are on board (we can even use their logo!)

They had the Christmas No1 record last year, let’s give them a best selling book as well!

Comments

11 Comments

by Noodledoodle 4 months ago

I'm just wondering if writing about life in Northern Ireland would be considered political? I would be writing from a 'middle of the road' perspective, or perhaps that isn't what you are looking for?
by Jill 4 months ago

Ali, I have been wondering whether my experiences in Cyprus (pre, during and after the Invasion and division of the island) would be acceptable? I would not intentionally bring in politics, but the fact is that there is interesting stuff to tell, from a personal perspective, about those troubled times in 1974.
by Billy 4 months ago

Great idea Ali, I'll try my best mate.
by Squidge 4 months ago

Brilliant idea. I have no connection with the forces to write about, but if you thought I could help with proof-reading, would be glad to support in that way if anyone wanted help.
by MinxieAD 4 months ago

My dad was a marine, and I shall try to contribute if I can, but will gladly help any other way.

It would be lovely if we could somehow show different angles, such as from a nurse's pov, or a mother's during the blitz. I think that would be fairly difficult unless you have links to that type of story on a personal level, but some group members may?
by Ali 4 months ago

Hi ND & Jill,
Sometimes it can be a difficult line to tread. It's hard to put it in a nutshell. Servicemen are tools of the state and are not meant to consider the rights and wrongs of the big picture. I don't want any 'pro war/anti-war' propoganda, which I'm sure you wouldn't write anyway. No religous, ethnic or party politics; obviously it's hard to write about the things you mention without referring to these. Just don't make them the central theme, I suppose. If you are the writers I think you are, you can pull it off. Write the story and submit it and we'll discuss any problems then, hopefully without going to war!
by Ali 4 months ago

Squidge your help is most gratefully received, although I find it hard to believe you havn't any service connections in your extended family, National Service?
Please join the group if you haven't already, you are most welcome.
Minx, Different POVs are most welcome, remember we are after mostly fiction , so go for it. Besides I would be interested in a story from the daughter of a Royal Marine.
My personal interest are stories relating to the 'small conflicts' Korea, NI, Falklands, Palestine, Suez, Malaya etc.
The one thing,though that I do miss about service life is the humour. Can't beat it. I sure Billy would agree.
Thanks all.
by Tony 4 months ago

This sounds a wonderful project. I have no close links with the military (there was no conscription in Northern Ireland), though a cousin by marriage went over with the Normandy landings - does that count? I'd be happy to help with editing/proofing, anyway.
by Squidge 4 months ago

Ali - my only connection would be via my maternal Grandpa, who died some years ago and would never talk about his time in Burma, except to say that he was glad the Ghurkas were on our side...will sign up and see what I can do.
by Ali 4 months ago

Thanks Squidge, what about a piece on why he wouldn't talk about it?
Glad to have you on board Tony and yes it does count. I'm sure you have things to say from a Ulsterman's perspective!?
Don't forget to join the group.
Cheers.
by Jill 4 months ago

Ali, thank you for your belief in me; for clarifying criteria and for putting my mind at ease.