Expression in the Art of Womanhood & How to Submit to Anthology
Being a woman is one thing. Being a female writer is another. Throughout history we’ve had to take a backseat to male writers, oftentimes writing under male names in order to get our works published. To a great degree, those days are gone. But there is something that lingers still. It is the feeling that there is a great portion of the population that sees women writers are merely feminists trying to make a point or push a cause, rather than women writers seeking to tell their stories, their way. We don’t want our stories to only be read, we want them to be understood, to be felt, to be loved. From this place our anthology pushes its way into the world of literature, expressing our voices to the wider public in ever more creative ways.
Our team is made up of women who are serious about the craft of writing. We are all avid readers who read across several genres. We take pride in what we read and what we write. In truth, it is from the various works we’ve read that our writing is able to flourish. Our anthology will join the ocean of works in hopes that we won’t get caught up in the flotsam and jetsam of literature, but shine through, showing our innate love for the written word and our love for readers who appreciate fine literature.
All women are welcome to submit. Come, create with us.
- Zaji, B.A & M.S., Our Design and Editorial Consultant
Our Creative Director, Sharon S. Gray, M.P.A., speaks:
This project is my brainchild and something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time. I want it to be everything woman is. Of course it will be a representation of the diversity of Essentially Woman Writing Group, but it will also be that still small voice of women from around the globe. Our group was founded on the principal that good writing matters.
Our desire to encourage growth through words among our sisters is the root of Essentially Woman Writing Group. It is to be a safe haven; a forum of understanding, compassion and truth; a place where African American women; often expected to be strong and unmoved, could share their dreams, their stories and their fears.
In July 2003, Essentially Woman Writing Group was born. We started out with a few members and have blossomed over the years. Members are comprised of published authors, novice writers, editors, spoken word artists, journalists, television producers, self-published authors and writers—in truth, every woman, regardless of her literary background, has a place at Essentially Woman…as long as your passion to create, drive for expression and love for words are alive.
Sisterhood, creativity and expression are the true enchantments of Essentially Woman Writing Group. Our spirited atmosphere nurtures the artist within. We pride ourselves in our past, present and future. Essentially Woman Writing Group is about us. As quoted by Cyril Connolly, it’s ‘Better to write for yourself and have no public than to write for the public and have no self’.
Our Acquisitions Editor, Tzynya Pinchback, speaks:
It’s a real honor to be a member of the team of femme fatales charged with curating the stories for Our World: Life is Essentially This. As one of the readers, I serve as a gatekeeper, of sorts, reading through each of the e-mail submissions with another editor, and selecting the pieces to be forwarded to the editorial team. I will also get to send out those glorious letters of acceptance. So, what I am reading for? Narratives – whether fiction, nonfiction prose, essay, or poetry – that slink up the coat’s sleeve, sink like stones in a river, or cling to the braid like dandelion weeds. Comic book heroines, sluts, fairy God-mothers and wicked step-mothers and carpool-driving single mothers, all-girl chain gangs spray painting Bible verse on the wall behind abortion clinics, women who laugh, shout, and sing, and those without speech are all welcome here. Let us make community; let us spin a tale.
Our Editorial Director, Nena Collier, speaks:
Writing – a secluded art with a predisposition to subjectivity.
Editing – the art of pen strokes redlining manuscripts to ensure the first impression is a permanent one. ~Collier Lunn
Editors are responsible for ensuring print-ready work. As an editor, I review manuscripts closely – deconstructing the construction. I do not rewrite the story. In some cases, I rework parts of the story to enhance sentence structure, sustain character and voice consistency, syntax and more.
Essentially Woman Submission Guidelines for
Our World: Life is Essentially This
an anthology
We are seeking publish-ready stories about the everyday lives of women. We want to read
works that are from the core, undiluted and fearless–writings that touch the private spaces
of womanhood, reminding us of how amazing it is to be alive and be a woman, with all the
joys and hardships that come with it. We want the real lives of women and those they love
or hate. Send us the very best of you.
Send your original, not previously published work to essentially.woman@yahoo.com as an attachment
only. Do not send work in the body of an email.
Include a cover letter with your name, address, e-mail, phone number,
and genre of your submission (poetry, or prose, or both) in the following format:
Angella Doe
3650 Harper Row
Bronx, NY 10469
angelladoe@yourdomain.com
718.123.4567
Genre: Prose
Page two of your submission begins your prose or poetry which should include the title of your work,
byline and word count in the following format:
The Title of Your Work
by Angella Doe
Word Count: 3,564 words
Your prose or poetry begins with this first sentence.
Include your last name in the header on each page of your manuscript and include page numbers in the
footer. Please use Microsoft Word’s built in formatting for header/footer.
Poetry: Send 2-5 poems, one poem per page, 12 point font, Times New Roman, 1-inch margins all
around. Do not include images in submission.
Prose (Fiction, Non-ction, Essay): Send prose up to 4,000 words, double-spaced,
12 point font, Times New Roman, 1-inch margins all around. Do not include images in submission.
All manuscripts must be sent as a Microsoft Word .doc document or .txt document.
Deadline: June 30, 2012
If you have any questions, contact us at: essentially.woman@yahoo.com.
Please note that submission does not guarantee acceptance.

















