Forces: A Publication of the Arts

Special Edition: Everyone has a Story: Katrina & Rita Survivors

Forces is an annual publication sponsored by the Humanities and International Studies and Fine Arts divisions of Collin County Community College District. Forces welcomes all contributions of poetry, fiction, black and white photography, and visual art from members of the CCCCD community. The 2005-2006 Academic year Special Edition of Forces will honor Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Survivors who are currently in North Texas.

Interested participants are asked to conduct interviews with an evacuee in this area. Please use the guidelines for interviews below. Interviews should likewise accompany any creative submissions. Forces seeks submissions of Poetry, Short Fiction, Black and White Photography, Visual Art and Essays that emerge from these interviews.

Poetry: literary and experimental, well-constructed, polished submissions are encouraged and should not exceed fifty lines. Please, avoid "inspirational" verse or light verse. Send one to five poems. Poetry should be single-spaced unless "concrete" style.

Short Fiction: literary and experimental, well-constructed, polished submissions are encouraged. Avoid lengthy submissions. Pay special attention to a developed plot and fresh, concrete language. Short fiction should be double-spaced with word count indicated.

Black and White Photography: Send photocopies of photos, or prints from negatives with submission. Include photo titles. Standard prints required for ease of review and consideration; access to negatives may be necessary for publication.

Visual Art: Will consider slide representations and/or photocopies of original works which can be represented effectively in black and white context and transfer into print effectively. Ceramic, sculpture, as well as paintings and multimedia pieces; jpg digital disks may be submitted along with print copies.

Essays: Personal and literary essay, general interest, personal opinion, criticism, new journalism, or general interest. Double-space with appropriate word count -1,500 words maximum.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

• All entries should include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
• An editorial committee will select all submissions for publication.
• Send only copies of original works.
• No e-mail submissions will be accepted.
• No hand-written submissions will be considered.
• Check with the appropriate CCCCD department representatives if you are unsure of the proper submission procedure for common publication.
• Send submissions to:
  Collin County Community College District
  Central Park Campus, 2200 W. University Drive
  P.O. Box 8001
  McKinney, Texas 75070-8001
  c/o FORCES: R. Scott Yarbrough, Professor of English

Deadline for Interview and Creative Work Submissions, December 1, 2005

 

Guidelines for Interviews

Interested participants are asked to conduct interviews with a Katrina evacuee/survivor in this area. Please use the guidelines for interviews below. Interviews must be turned in with creative submission. Forces seeks submissions of Poetry, Short Fiction, Black and White Photography, Visual Art and Essays that emerge from these interviews. Interviewers should obtain written permission to share and print the information obtained from Katrina survivors.

Interview Guidelines:

1. Name, age, and occupation of evacuee/survivor: (NOTE: Age and occupation are optional; however, these details may make the interview more poignant, e.g. interviewing a grade school child whose age is important to the tone of the interview.)
2. Location of survivor at the time of Katrina: (i.e. city, state)
3. First shelter location: (Family, friends, strangers, Superdome, etc.)
4. Special Circumstances: (The survivor can elaborate here about his/her unique story details such as exact location during the storm, difficulty of rescue, emotions the survivor felt during and after the storm. If possible, find out what enabled the person to survive and endure this experience, e.g. trust in another person, faith, strength, etc.)
5. Most vivid memory/experience about Katrina: (A stranger stepping in, the death of a loved one, pet, etc.)
6. Plans for the future and current situation: (Return home? Leave? Rebuild? Some of these people may be students at CCCC or other nearby schools - how is this changing their plans, educational or other?)