A roundup of some recent Mormon literature news.
First, a reminder that the AML Conference will be held virtually, June 1-5. It will include discussions about our attempt to create a canon of 100 significant works of Mormon literature, readings by the AML award finalists, panels in honor of special award winners John Bennion and Steven L. Peck, and the awards ceremony. The schedule and more details are forthcoming.
Literary contests and calls for submissions
2021 Dialogue Writing Contest Announcement
Dialogue seeks submissions of poetry (up to 100 lines), short fiction (3500–6000 words), and personal voice (nonfiction, narrative essays, 250–3000 words) centered around the theme Body/Bodies of Christ. Submissions for this theme can encompass any subject that wrestles with the confluence of body and spirit, the temporal and the spiritual, the imperfect body and perfection embodied.
Submissions should fit Dialogue’s missions, and the work or author should have a Latter-day Saint/Mormon connection (past or present). Additionally, we will not accept any work that is racist, misogynist, ageist, trans/homophobic, etc. Submissions should be previously unpublished.
To submit, see our submission guidelines on our website. In the author comments section of the submission form, write “For Dialogue Contest.” Submissions are due by November 1, 2021. Once submissions have been judged, three cash prizes (First Place, $125; Second Place, $75; Third Place, $50) for each genre (Poetry, Fiction, and Personal Voice).
Learn more: https://www.dialoguejournal.com/dialogue-writing-contest/
Contemporary Heavenly Mother Poems. Rachel Hunt Steenblik is has put out a call for submissions. Deadline: June 20.
Irreantum call for submissions: Building Zion. Deadline: July 31.
Building Zion: While the home has long been a key focus of LDS theology and culture, its material aspects have been particularly noticeable in a year that has confined many of us to our houses. In this issue, we invite fiction, personal essays, criticism, poetry or other media that (1) explore the emotions and labor surrounding obtaining, maintaining or dreaming of home within LDS culture; or (2) reflect on how the spaces we occupy shape that culture. Possible subtopics may include: LDS experiences of church and home during the pandemic; haunted houses; navigating the LDS faith while living in a competitive housing market; homemaking, housekeeping and working from home; experiences with home loss or migration; LDS influencer culture; reality shows depicting LDS home life; experiences of alternative housing, including missionary apartments, dorms, RVs, travel or tiny homes; notable LDS homes or spaces of worship; reflections on the intersection of race, gender and homelife; and the objects we bring into our homes. Previously unpublished writers are encouraged to apply. DEADLINE: JULY 31
Videos of recent events
Utah State Poetry Festival session on devotional poetry, April 2021
Utah’s poetry community reflects the state’s rich diversity of spiritual observance. This panel brings together writers who endeavor to articulate the numinous experience of spiritual life across a variety of traditions. With Tacey Atsitty, Jacqueline Osherow, Michael Sowder, and Darlene Young. Moderated by Paisley Rekdal. The group discussed questions like: What makes art? How do art and devotion interact? Why is poetry such a good genre for devotion?
Heavenly Mother in Modern Poetry: Readings to Celebrate Dove Song. May 2021.
A celebration of Mother’s Day, the Divine Feminine, and 3 years since the publication of Dove Song: Heavenly Mother in Mormon Poetry. Dayna Patterson moderated the event.