Belt Publishing will be compiling an anthology of essays  about Minneapolis in 2019 as part of our City Anthology Series.

Minneapolis has emerged as one of the literary centers of the country, and this anthology will mark the advent of the post-Wobegon era. We are looking for stories, scenes and memories from the city that evoke the place in compelling ways. Submissions can be related to a specific place, event (personal or historical) or personage, and must take place in or around the city. St. Paul will also be considered, as will most suburbs.

We are not looking for news-related pieces unless there is a personal/emotional connection to news events (such as the I-35 bridge collapse) and submissions should retain their relevance for years to come. We are actively looking for stories from Twin Cities’ African-American, Dakota, Anishinaabe, Somali, Hmong, Latino, and other communities, so please circulate. Stories that involve humor, heartbreak, redemption and discovery will be given priority. Stories that ramble will be frowned upon.

Authors can submit multiple pieces. We will accept previously published pieces, but the author must include the original publication information and have the rights to the piece. Accepted submissions will likely be edited in coordination with the author.

The anthology will be edited by Frank Bures, author of The Geography of Madness, occasional instructor at the Loft Literary Center, and editor of the Lester Literary Update. An introduction will be written by Star Tribune “Books” editor Laurie Hertzel, author of News to Me: Adventures of an Accidental Journalist.

Submissions are due by April 15.

To submit an entry, please:

Include author’s full name and contact information (phone, email, address and 3-4 sentence bio)

Indicate where the author lives/where “story” takes place (i.e. uptown, north, north east, downtown etc.)

Write “SUBMISSION” on the subject line

Submit all entries and questions to: [email protected]

SPONSORS:  Interested in underwriting or sponsoring this book? Email Publisher Anne Trubek at [email protected].

  • Nonfiction personal essays between 300 and 2000 words.
  • Poetry related to Minneapolis (and St. Paul)
  • Space pending, we may publish longform pieces over 2000 words. Query first.
  • No Fiction.

Contributors will receive an honorarium.

 

Banner photo by Tony Webster