Invitation to contribute to a new book of
modern war poetry

This book will now be published in the autumn 2011 by Ebury Press. The opportunity to contribute is now closed. Another opportunity presents itself below.

The book, to be titled Injured, is to be sold in aid of ABF, The Soldiers' Charity.

A former Army captain is setting out to capture the experience of war through the eyes of frontline soldiers wounded in action and the loved ones of those lost in battle.

John Jeffcock has already published one book - the Book of War. It is a short collection of poetry that freeze-frames a moment in the life and thoughts of soldiers at home and on active service.

He is now working on a second book with wounded soldiers and the bereaved which he hopes to publish in time for Remembrance Day 2011.

Backed by the Ministry of Defence and Carol Anne Duffy, the Poet Laureate, he is now inviting soldiers, as well as forces' families and friends, to submit poetry for the new collection.

It is open to:

* Any serving or retired member of the armed forces who has been no active service

* Any family or friend who has suffered loss as a result of armed conflict

Rules

The deadline for entries is May 31st 2011 and entry is free. Entries must be:

* Typed in black ink on one side of A4 only.

* Double or single spaced and no longer than 40 lines.

* Can include up to five pieces of poetry per entry.

* Poems must be the original work of the entrant.

Remember to write your name on every page submitted. Copies can not be returned. All entries must be written in English.

The composers of poems selected for the next book will be notified by June 30th 2011.

Entries should be submitted to info@kassala.co.uk or by post to Kassala Publishing, 13 Kassala Road, London, SW11 4HN. Include an SAE to receive confirmation of your postal entry.

Comments on the project

“I am much moved by this initiative by John Jeffcock; it has provided a unique opportunity for many to express their emotions in poetry as our forefathers did in previous conflicts. With some humility I look forward reading the full collection. The long term effects of these events is very evident as is the purpose of the Soldiers 'Charity.”
Major General Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter KCVO OBE DL, CEO, ABF The Soldiers' Charity

INJURED is a humbling project, allowing the voices of those whose lives have been changed by War to speak to us with the raw directness of feeling and experience. There can only be a welcome from Poetry.
Carol Ann Duffy, Poet Laureate

Links

The Sunday Telegraph featured some of the poems to appear in the new book. Follow
this link for details.

ABF, The Soldiers' Charity. http://www.soldierscharity.org

British Forces News

http://www.bfbs.com/news/worldwide/be-war-poet-45323.html

---

New war poetry wanted (July 2011)

A request from North Staffordshire Press  

 I am Richard Campbell, speaking on behalf of North Staffordshire Press – a small publishing company based in Stoke-on-Trent, West Midlands.  I am putting together a chapbook of war poetry, old and contemporary, for the business.  The aim of the collection is to pay tribute to lost heroes from armed conflict, to pay a contribution from sales toward the up-keep of remembering those lost and to also showcase what we believe to be an honest and high quality body of verse.  The proposed date for release is around November, in time for Remembrance Day.

We are looking for new voices as well as old.  The details will be up on our website, and the e-mail for queries and submissions is richard.campbell@editorial.staffs.com.