Release Your Wild
An update and an invite to participate in 2021’s first periodic prompt!!
Calling all wildlings, wildflowers, tree huggers, lovers, and free-flowing beings. Anyone interested in the soul-deep, the painful, the miracles, the raw and the core of who we are, the outsiders and the non-conformists. The loud and the quiet ones, the funny and sad ones. I want to hear from you. The accomplished, the professionals, everyone is welcome. I just want to see your wild.
Welcome to Where Wild Things Grow, the first submission round. I had always envisioned hosting something down the track when I started this publication, and I’m so glad I’ve finally decided to branch out and do it.
I’m not really a “count my statistics and build up my following” type. As anyone who reads me knows, I’m very raw and very deep. I prefer you follow me because you genuinely enjoy my work. I’ll offer you the same respect and I’ll never be a “follow for a follow” type. Sorry, not my jam. I don’t currently earn a living from this, so if your sole purpose is to build a following this might not be for you. Yes, we all want to be read, but just remain authentic, please.
So, What’s News?
2020 proved to be a challenging year around the globe. I write to you from Melbourne, Australia, where (thankfully) we seemed to have some form of normalcy after emerging out of one of our country's strictest and longest lockdowns. For how long? who knows. We remain stable but alert. I understand this is not the case for much of the wider globe. As such, I welcome writers to do what we do best and write it all out. Wherever your country sits on the pandemic front.
Personally, this year, I have challenged myself to a few goals to get my arse moving on the writing and health front. I decided to quit smoking (a 15-year old habit), yes, as you can imagine, I'm still climbing up the walls. I have also started a creative writing course and hope to finalize my first poetry collection. I have committed to being the best I can be in these crazy times. I am growing as a writer and stepping outside of my comfort zone.
What can I say? the Wild Flower in me is taking over and stepping up.
So, with all that said, let’s get down to business. Firstly, you will now see a submissions tab and a prompts tab. Please note, for now, this will solely be a prompt-based submission publication. Meaning, I will periodically open up submissions with prompts, you will submit in response and potentially be accepted as a writer. You will need to submit a piece in response to the given prompt which may enable you a writer. Things may change, stick with me and we’ll see. I’m new to running a publication, so I’ll ask for your patience while I learn the ropes.
The Obvious Rules:
This publication will not accept any racist, homophobic, hate-based, or distasteful sexually-orientated material. I want this to be a safe space for our inner wild to be released, this is a place for growth and honesty. Please accompany your piece with a purposeful image and ensure you add appropriate credits for the artist. Better yet, use your own image if it works, just make sure you let me know it is yours.
What Not to Submit:
This publication will not be accepting listicles, clickbait, self-help, tech, start-up, or poetry without a distinctive message. Regrettably, I may not be able to personally respond to each submission that is rejected, though I will aim to. I know how it feels or be rejected, so I will do my best to ensure my feedback is respectful and helpful.
Please do not add pointless words to your submission to purely add reading time. We are not about that here, keep it real, please.
No plagiarism no exceptions.
What to Submit:
Generally, my prompt will guide you loosely on what I’m looking for, including date ranges for you to submit. For the most part, I’m open to your creativity. My niche is poetics, but I admire all manner of creative works provided it is edited well. Got an idea that is a little left field? hit me up.
Please send me your best work, this means edited and well thought out. I lead a busy life outside of this and would prefer to spend my creative time slot marveling at your wonderful work without the need for too much editing.
For further instructions on becoming a writer, please navigate to the submissions tab.
The February/ March Prompt — Exploring Your Wild
So, for the first prompt of 2021, I would like to offer you a few options. If you’re anything like me, it can often take several different methods to produce the magic spark of creativity. Use any of the below to inspire you.
- A few snippets from yours truly. Use the image, use the words, whatever works for you.
Untitled by WF
Water this heart
t o m o r r o w
today’s test is to rest
it is to tuck yourself in
and begin again
wrap the wings of
wild things around you
expand your chest
let go of the rest
you’ll surely f l u t t e r
in the wind once more
2. A beautiful piano piece, titled “Burned Letters” by Johannes Bornlof
3. Wild Things theme, “Exploring Your wild”. Let that transpire in your brain whichever way it inspires you.
I’m looking for poetry, prose, micro or flash fiction, creative writing, and original photography (with narrative).
My prompts will run on a monthly cycle for now, which I’ll aim to publish each weekend. Submissions accepted for this round from Saturday 27th February through to March 26th. Please only submit one piece per month.
**Please send your submission to: wherewildthingsgrow88@gmail.com, include a link to your Medium draft ****
Any questions or comments let me know below or in private if you prefer. Spread the word and let’s get wild up in here.
About the Poet
Wild Flower (Jess Banks) is an Australian-based writer. Lover of coffee, chocolate, and rum. Excited by nature, adventures, and poetics. Still discovering who she is and openly writing about her faults and triumphs.
© WF, 2021.
