Literary folio of lesbian writings in the works
The folio aims to collect narratives produced by Filipino lesbians that tackle their plight as well as their issues and concerns in these challenging times
Gantala Press is planning to launch a literary folio of lesbian writings in June in time to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month. The Philippine feminist independent publisher and literary collective is now collecting works by lesbian writers and artists and calling for contributions.
The folio aims to collect narratives — stories, essays, poems, artworks, photos and other two-dimensional art forms
—produced by Filipino lesbians that tackle their plight as well as their issues and concerns in these challenging times.
According to Gantala Press, “there is a need to bring to light the narratives of lesbians often invisible or silenced in literature. As such, this literary folio seeks to gather diverse voices from lesbians in various communities to highlight not only our identities but our struggles, pains, and triumphs as we navigate a feudal-patriarchal and misogynistic system that continues to hide us.”
The independent publisher have published in 2018 Ligaw-Tingin: Kalipunang Komix ng Pagmamahalang Marilag, edited by Emiliana Kampilan, the first collection of Philippine lesbian comics by queer women artists. Now, it is inviting “women-loving women writers and artists from all sectors, especially from the peasant, workers, indigenous peoples, and urban poor, whether lesbian, queer, non-binary, or trans women,” to send in their works for the literary folio.
For poetry, one can submit a maximum of three poems, while for prose (short stories, non-fiction, and other forms), one can submit a manuscript with a maximum of 3000 words. For artworks, comics and photographs, one must send a high-resolution file in JPG format. Hybrid and other experimental forms are also accepted.
There is a need to bring to light the narratives of lesbians often invisible or silenced in literature. As such, this literary folio seeks to gather diverse voices from lesbians in various communities to highlight not only our identities but our struggles, pains, and triumphs as we navigate a feudal-patriarchal and misogynistic system that cont inues to hide us.
Contributions can be in any Philippine languages. Written works should be sent in one file in .doc or .docx format, using Arial font in size 12 points and in 1.5 spacing. Contributors should include a bio-note of about 100 words.
One can send their works to gantalapressworks@gmail.com with the subject heading that includes “Lesbian Lit Folio,” surname of writer/ artist and title of the submission (e.g. Lesbian Lit Folio_Gantala_Bad Romance). Deadline of submissions is 30 April 2021.