SHE SAID, SHE SAID

Call for Submissions!

SHE SAID, SHE SAID: Selected Essays from Enlightened Eves to Clueless Adams
(What Women Really Talk About Behind Closed Doors)

Coming in the Fall of 2008, women around the world speak out in the controversial and eye-opening anthology, SHE SAID, SHE SAID. Tired of volume after volume on what men absolutely have to have to be satisfied with the women in their lives, we decided it was time to flip the script. Since men selectively listen, we've selected essay prompts designed to push the envelope and help them find their way inside from the dog house. Now all they have to do is roll over, sit up and pay attention...just like Spot.

Ladies, bring it and your essay could be chosen for SHE SAID, SHE SAID.

In 2000-3000 words, respond to the essay prompt that speaks to you. What we'd especially like to see is a well written narrative account of your experience, along with commentary on how you overcame your dilemma and the positive lesson(s) you learned because of it. Try to refrain from male-bashing, please. We want our audience to personally connect with you and the message you're conveying. Of course, an epiphany or two would be nice, as well. Write to answer the question, "What do women really want?" Be as witty, satirical and/or humorous as you dare!

Please only address one essay prompt per submission and submit no more than two separate essays per author. Only one essay per author will be included in the anthology and if it comes down to choosing between two essays by the same author, we will choose the one that makes our toes curl the hardest. Chosen contributors will receive two free copies of the book, $25 and a full "author page" in the book (publicity text of your choosing). ** Note: Special arrangements can be made for chosen contributors who might wish to remain anonymous.

Essay Prompts:

1. I never thought I'd seek intimacy outside of my relationship but... (Why did you step outside of the relationship and what did you discover about yourself in the process? What do you want readers to learn from your experience? Define intimacy on your own terms.)
2. With friends like these, who needs enemies? (How were you betrayed, by whom and what did you learn as a result of the betrayal? If you betrayed someone else, tell us why and touch on the lesson(s) you learned.)
3. I knew I was in love when... (Tell us about your definition of love, a time when you knew you were in love and how it moved/changed you for the better. Think of this as positive reinforcement, like Pavlov's bells.)
4. Dear Lover... (Something you've always wanted to tell your man, your girlfriend's man and/or men everywhere about loving a woman correctly. In your opinion, what do women need from their men and how should men give them what they need? By contrast, don't be afraid to laud your partner for doing you right, if that's what you need to do. Just make sure you're clear on what "right" means to you.)
5. When the relationship became unhealthy for my soul, I... (Now safely on the other side of some form of abuse, tell us how you found yourself in an abusive relationship and how you escaped. If you could sit down with an/your abuser, what would you want him to know?)
6. Back from a trip around the world: (Help men unravel the mystery of the infamous "baggage" women are said to carry around with them. When did you start packing yours and why? What will it take for you to leave it behind or can you? How much of the load are men responsible for carrying (if any) and how much of the load are you responsible for hiding behind?)

Second round of submissions accepted January 15, 2008 - May 15, 2008. Email submission(s), including a brief bio and contact information to editors@brownreclusebooks.com. Please note: essay text must be pasted into the body of the email, as attachments will not be opened. Or mail submissions to:
Acquisitions
Brown Recluse Books
P.O. Box 779
Florissant, MO 63032

All (female) Writers Welcome!