From the Body so far:
It's been a humbling experience to work on this project to date. Authors - both those who have had work accepted, and those who haven't - have been kind, gracious and open about their experiences with food, the body and so much more. The book is shaping up to be a beautifully varied exploration of our relationships to ourselves and the world around us.
I'm delighted that, from the works accepted so far, there is a strong sense of voice and authorial intentions coming through in every piece. However, there's space for more.
Something that I noticed very early on in reading submissions was the distinct lack of male and non-binary voices. In terms of the statistics available that present to us the ways in which male and non-binary individuals are discouraged from sharing a) their mental health struggles and b) their relationships to their bodies, it perhaps shouldn't have been a surprise that this happened during our submission process. However, in the interest of making From the Body as diverse, as open, as representative as possible, I'd like to try to challenge this particular trend, if I can.
So, to that end, I'll be opening submissions again - effective from today, November 15 - and for this second submission window I am welcoming work exclusively from male and non-binary voices. This second call-out will last from November 15 through to November 28, and the same submission guidelines and reading fee (£3) from the original call-out will remain the same during this period.
Please know that this is an exercise in diversity and inclusivity. I want this book to speak to the many and I hope this second call-out will be a way to encourage that. A reminder of the submission guidelines are available below now. If anyone has any questions about this update - or any other elements of the project - please do get in touch.
I sincerely hope to hear from you in the next couple of weeks.
Warmest,
Charley x
It's been a humbling experience to work on this project to date. Authors - both those who have had work accepted, and those who haven't - have been kind, gracious and open about their experiences with food, the body and so much more. The book is shaping up to be a beautifully varied exploration of our relationships to ourselves and the world around us.
I'm delighted that, from the works accepted so far, there is a strong sense of voice and authorial intentions coming through in every piece. However, there's space for more.
Something that I noticed very early on in reading submissions was the distinct lack of male and non-binary voices. In terms of the statistics available that present to us the ways in which male and non-binary individuals are discouraged from sharing a) their mental health struggles and b) their relationships to their bodies, it perhaps shouldn't have been a surprise that this happened during our submission process. However, in the interest of making From the Body as diverse, as open, as representative as possible, I'd like to try to challenge this particular trend, if I can.
So, to that end, I'll be opening submissions again - effective from today, November 15 - and for this second submission window I am welcoming work exclusively from male and non-binary voices. This second call-out will last from November 15 through to November 28, and the same submission guidelines and reading fee (£3) from the original call-out will remain the same during this period.
Please know that this is an exercise in diversity and inclusivity. I want this book to speak to the many and I hope this second call-out will be a way to encourage that. A reminder of the submission guidelines are available below now. If anyone has any questions about this update - or any other elements of the project - please do get in touch.
I sincerely hope to hear from you in the next couple of weeks.
Warmest,
Charley x
Submission guidelines:
- From the Body welcomes creative non-fiction and non-fiction. Poetry and fiction will not be considered as part of the collection.
- Submissions should be no longer than 1,500 words.
- Submissions should be size 12, in a font of your choosing (but please do make it easy on the eyes).
- Please ensure your name and email address are listed on your actual submission.
- All submissions should be emailed to fromthebodyproject@gmail.com.
- Please format the subject of your email as follows: [Author's name] - [Title of work]
- You are welcomed to include a TW/CW in your email, if you feel the work calls for it.
- In your email, please include a short biographical note of no more than 50 words.
- For every single entry there will be a £3 reading fee. This should be paid via a PayPal transfer to fromthebodyproject@gmail.com. Further details about the reading fee can be found on the FAQ page.
The call for submissions welcomes creative non-fiction/non-fiction writing on, but not limited to, the following topics:
- Eating disorders and/or disordered eating
- Body weight, gain or loss
- Diet culture and diet practices
- Post-pandemic weight loss
- Post-pandemic body image and appearance anxieties
- Shame – around eating, body weight, weight gain
- Comfort eating/comfort exercise
- Food, exercise and control
Please note: This list is not exhaustive. Essays that deal in either one topic or the other - i.e. food or the body - will be welcomed. If you're unsure, please do email.