get the 2020 publication: readers without borders
As you have probably already surmised, the annual Birthday Party will not be happening during this curious stand-off with the new virus. Here, however, is our offer of a consolation prize: a FREE copy of “Readers Without Borders” fresh off the presses. The authors will automatically receive two free copies in the mail, but for others who would like a copy of their own, just email Karen Petersen (kpetaluma@gmail.com) with a Happy Birthday good wish and a YES, on the book, along with your mailing address, and you’ll soon have some tasty reading material – not as sweet as that traditional cake, we admit, but a darn good substitute. This unusual collection of essays amounts to a conversation on the important topic of borders of all kinds, as seen through the experiences of women writers from all over. Good reading and we will keep in touch.
The Sitting Room 2019 Anthology -Moved to 2020!
READERS WITHOUT BORDERS
You did it – and on time too for that we are grateful, We hope you will not be too disappointed to hear that we are planning to postpone publication until next year, by which time we will have more essays to include in the book. Our topic, which Jackie Hallerberg described as “an engaging prompt and learning experience”, apparently stalled some people, as only half as many essays were received as last year. And we do understand that it is a challenge to read off our usual maps.
The essays we did receive, however, rose to the challenge and had so much to say that they gave us an appetite for more examples – to fill out the map, so to speak. We are even thinking of having the book’s cover be a map of the world with stars marking the areas written about. We’d also like to include photos of the writers with each essay and also add an extended recommended reading list, as well as an essay on the perils and rewards of translating.
To return to our “paused” project, if for any reason you want your essay back, just let us know. The book that will emerge from opening up the doors to more contributions, however, will cover more territory and offer more recommendations for future international readings, which as the New York Times recently (March 12, 2019) put on their page A3:
To the extent that books grant you access to another person's mind, they provide a sure path to new ways of seeing. And in reading as in life, the more you expose yourself to other perspectives the broader your horizons will be. Even within your preferred genre, read authors whose backgrounds differ from your own: different genders, different races, different nationalities and generations and economic classes. This isn't in the service of political correctness or some vague mushy idealism; it's in the service of educating and challenging yourself.
The editors: Sharon Bard, Karen Petersen, & JJ Wilson
The idea came from Bridey Heing, a freelance critic who lives in Washington, D.C. (in a recent BOOK MARKS blog)
“We are at such an interesting and exciting time when it comes to reviving forgotten women’s voices, so I hope that curiosity extends to works in translation.”
We hope so too and look forward to reading your appreciations of a book or some poems you have read by a woman writer from another country and culture. Take one or two pages to tell us about your reading experience. Explore the impact (or any special insights into the culture) from your book having been written by a woman.
Let’s grow from being too provincial in our reading habits –a political act in a way. What an interesting list this 2019 Sitting Room book will provide for all who want to live and read beyond borders. The Sitting Room Collections—and even our circulating shelves – have a surprising number of international writers if you need some ideas.
Here's an idea. Pick a country at random, preferably well beyond your ken, such as Africa, Asia, or one of the "Stans." Go to this fabulous Wikipedia page to find a link to the women writers in that country:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Lists_of_women_writers_by_nationality
All contributions will be accepted, if they address the theme and follow the format and arrive by April 1, 2020. You do not have to be a “member” of the Sitting Room to contribute or of any one gender or age.
The essays we did receive, however, rose to the challenge and had so much to say that they gave us an appetite for more examples – to fill out the map, so to speak. We are even thinking of having the book’s cover be a map of the world with stars marking the areas written about. We’d also like to include photos of the writers with each essay and also add an extended recommended reading list, as well as an essay on the perils and rewards of translating.
To return to our “paused” project, if for any reason you want your essay back, just let us know. The book that will emerge from opening up the doors to more contributions, however, will cover more territory and offer more recommendations for future international readings, which as the New York Times recently (March 12, 2019) put on their page A3:
To the extent that books grant you access to another person's mind, they provide a sure path to new ways of seeing. And in reading as in life, the more you expose yourself to other perspectives the broader your horizons will be. Even within your preferred genre, read authors whose backgrounds differ from your own: different genders, different races, different nationalities and generations and economic classes. This isn't in the service of political correctness or some vague mushy idealism; it's in the service of educating and challenging yourself.
The editors: Sharon Bard, Karen Petersen, & JJ Wilson
The idea came from Bridey Heing, a freelance critic who lives in Washington, D.C. (in a recent BOOK MARKS blog)
“We are at such an interesting and exciting time when it comes to reviving forgotten women’s voices, so I hope that curiosity extends to works in translation.”
We hope so too and look forward to reading your appreciations of a book or some poems you have read by a woman writer from another country and culture. Take one or two pages to tell us about your reading experience. Explore the impact (or any special insights into the culture) from your book having been written by a woman.
Let’s grow from being too provincial in our reading habits –a political act in a way. What an interesting list this 2019 Sitting Room book will provide for all who want to live and read beyond borders. The Sitting Room Collections—and even our circulating shelves – have a surprising number of international writers if you need some ideas.
Here's an idea. Pick a country at random, preferably well beyond your ken, such as Africa, Asia, or one of the "Stans." Go to this fabulous Wikipedia page to find a link to the women writers in that country:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Lists_of_women_writers_by_nationality
All contributions will be accepted, if they address the theme and follow the format and arrive by April 1, 2020. You do not have to be a “member” of the Sitting Room to contribute or of any one gender or age.
Guidelines for Anthology Contributions: due MAY 15, 2019
You'll send two files, as follows:
COVER SHEET
Name
Mailing address
Telephone
E-mail address
Title of the work
STORY OR POEM
Length Limit: 1-2 pages
Format: Times New Roman; 12 pt
one-inch margins
single or double spaced
Titling: Original title centered at the top
Identification: Full name at the bottom of page, with e-mail and website, if desired
Submission: E-mail as MS Word attachments to:
sittingroom2019@gmail.com
If you are unable to e-mail, send unfolded via USPS to:
Editor
2018 Anthology
c/o The Sitting Room
P. O. Box 838
Penngrove, CA 94951
All contributions will be accepted if they address the theme and follow the format and arrive by the deadline: April 20, 2020
You do not have to be a "member" of The Sitting Room to contribute. Contributions are not restricted by gender or age.
COVER SHEET
Name
Mailing address
Telephone
E-mail address
Title of the work
STORY OR POEM
Length Limit: 1-2 pages
Format: Times New Roman; 12 pt
one-inch margins
single or double spaced
Titling: Original title centered at the top
Identification: Full name at the bottom of page, with e-mail and website, if desired
Submission: E-mail as MS Word attachments to:
sittingroom2019@gmail.com
If you are unable to e-mail, send unfolded via USPS to:
Editor
2018 Anthology
c/o The Sitting Room
P. O. Box 838
Penngrove, CA 94951
All contributions will be accepted if they address the theme and follow the format and arrive by the deadline: April 20, 2020
You do not have to be a "member" of The Sitting Room to contribute. Contributions are not restricted by gender or age.
