Coming Together: In Verse - Call for Submissions

- Please welcome Ashley Lister to my blog today.

There once was a writer called Lily

Who wrote about sexual thrill-ies

Her books are such fun

You should check out each one

And admire what she does with her quill-y

My name’s Ashley Lister. I’m currently compiling an anthology of erotic verse and the lovely Lily Harlem has said I may do a ‘call for submission’ post here on her blog. The call for submissions is reprinted below but I’d be keen to hear from any writers or poets who think they’ve got something appropriate. If you’re stuck for inspiration on poetic forms, I keep sharing some of my favourite types over on my blog (http://ashleylisterauthor.blogspot.co.uk/). And, if you’re stuck for inspiration on what’s erotic, check out Lily Harlem’s superb backlist. 

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I'm asking for your best poems. 

Coming Together: In Verse will be a collection of erotic poetry and risqué verse edited by Ashley R Lister. Sales proceeds benefit Hope for Paws.

Erica Jong said, “Poetry is what we turn to in the most emotional moments of our lives – when a beloved friend dies, when a baby is born, when we fall in love.” Wallace Stevens said, “A poet looks at the world the way a man looks at a woman.” Edgar Allan Poe said, “Poetry is the rhythmical creation of beauty in words.” Most of us agree, when it comes to expressing passion, there is nothing more effective than poetry.

Whether it’s blank or free verse, or a rigid rhyming metrical form, well-written poetry can touch us in places deeper and more personally than any fiction. There's nothing sexier than a poem that speaks to us on such an intimate level.

Author, lecturer and occasional performance poet, Ashley R Lister, is looking for your best pieces of original poetry, erotic verse, risqué rhymes, cheeky cinquains or saucy sonnets. The collection will contain a broad range of quality erotic poetry submissions, from the rude, ribald and vulgar through to the suggestive, sensuous and sensitive.

Standard Rules apply: No underage, no non-consensual, no scat, incest, or necrophilia. Any pairings or groupings accepted and encouraged.

Deadline for submissions is October 1, 2015.

Send poems double-spaced, 12 point font (Times New Roman or Georgia) in .doc or .rtf format to me@ashleylister.co.uk, with “ATTN: Coming Together, your pen-name, your story title” in the subject line. British English grammar please. Double quotes around dialogue.

Only submit your final, best version of the poem; do not send multiple versions of the same piece. Up to three poems will be considered from each author. Include your legal name (and pseudonym if applicable and be clear which one is which), mailing address, and up to 250 word bio. You will be notified as to the status of your poem by no later than November 1, 2015.

This is a charity anthology. Contributors will receive ebook copies of the publication. Additional compensation is likely to come in karma and tax-write offs. Hope for Paws will benefit from all proceeds. Hope for Paws is a non-profit animal rescue organisation. They rescue dogs (and other animals) who are suffering on the streets and in shelters. Their goal is to educate people on the importance of companion animals in our society. Find out more at hopeforpaws.org.

Such a great cause, Ashley. This is my rescue dog (who we've had for eight years now) having a lovely time climbing mountains in the Brecon Beacons last Christmas. We've only ever had rescue dogs, there's something so rewarding about giving a home to a soul that's had a rough start in life.

Right, now I must start penning poems, I hope you all will to.

Lily x