Commonwealth Writers Call for Writers

adda is Commonwealth Writers’ online gathering of stories, a place where writers and readers can talk to each other across global and geopolitical divides.

We are looking to commission a number of stories for adda in the coming months. Each commission will be given detailed editorial attention to ensure a level of quality in the stories published and also to offer the writers – especially those less experienced – a process to develop their writing.

We are looking to select a broad range of stories, particularly those which haven’t been heard before.

 We are offering one-off commissions:  

Fiction – short stories

Nonfiction – which can include creative nonfiction, memoir, photo or narrative essay

 There are no subject restrictions.

No previously published work will be considered, including work published in anthologies, chapbooks or online.

For fiction submissions please send:

Your short story (1500 – 5000 words), or a completed first draft

A description of your writing history (300 words max)

Your contact details (including postal address, email and telephone number) and nationality. Please note, we can only accept submissions from citizens of Commonwealth countries

 For nonfiction submissions please send:

Your nonfiction piece (1500 – 5000 words), or an outline of what you want to write and why (750 words max), plus a sample of your nonfiction writing (2000 words max)

A description of your writing history (300 words)

Your contact details (including postal address, email and telephone number) and nationality. Please note, we can only accept submissions from citizens of Commonwealth countries

If we offer you a nonfiction commission, there may also be a small expenses fund available to help you to research your piece e.g. local travel. Please state in your submission if you would need us to help with research expenses and what these would be.

You are welcome to submit the same piece of fiction to adda and the 2017 Commonwealth Short Story Prize (which opens for entries on September 1st). If we decide to commission your story for adda you will have the choice to accept and withdraw your entry or reject the commission and keep your story in the prize process.

At the moment, we can only accept work/proposals written in English.

Please send your submissions to commonwealthwriters@gmail.com by 11:59pm (any time zone) on 29 August with the subject heading ‘adda submission’.

You’ll hear back from us by 7th October 2016.