7th Veterans-Lit Anthology Deadline: June 1, 2018!

Deadline for submissions to a seventh volume titled "Proud to Be: Writing by American Warriors"—an anthology of military-themed fiction, non-fiction, poetry, essays, oral histories, and photography—is June 1, 2018. The project is open to all military personnel, veterans, and family members.

According to the call for submissions, each category carries a first-prize of $250. All entries will be considered for the anthology. There is no entry fee to the contest or publication.

Through the efforts of the Warriors Arts Alliance, the Missouri Humanities Council, and Southeast Missouri State University Press, the first "Proud to Be" volume was published in November 2012.

"[T]his series of anthologies preserves and shares the perspectives of our military and veterans of all conflicts and of their families," reads the Southeast Missouri State University Press contest page. "It is not only an outlet for artistic expression but also a document of the unique aspects of wartime in our nation’s history."

With second, third, and fourth issues, the press established itself as a leading venue for "veterans-lit," consistent in both quality and quantity. In 2014, the press also published "The Shape of our Faces No Longer Matters," a poetry collection by U.S. Marine veteran Gerardo "Tony" Mena.

The tradition of excellence continued with the fifth and sixth issues.

Red Bull Rising blog reviews of past issues of the "Proud to Be" anthology appear here and here.

For a 2012 Red Bull Rising interview with original series editor Susan Swartwout, click here.

Submissions must be made through the Southeast Missouri State University Press Submittable page here. According to guidelines:

• Put your name and contact info on first page and nowhere else on the manuscript.

• Limit one submission in each category per person.

• Poetry: up to 3 poems (5 pages maximum). Keep poems in one document (with 1st poem as title).

• Fiction, essay, or interview: 5,000-word limit.

• Photography: up to 3 good-quality photos (will be printed in the book as black and white).

• Submissions exceeding the limits will be disqualified.

• Include a biography of 75 words or less with each submission. Explicitly mention author's connection to military.

• Winners and contributors will be notified by Nov. 1, 2018.