Please Note: The submission deadline has now passed. Thank you for your interest!

Hello and welcome! If you are considering sending us a submission, please read this page thoroughly. Everything you need to know about submitting to the project is contained on this page. Thank you for choosing to learn more!

A SHORT HISTORY OF BRIGID AND HER DIASPORA

Historically found throughout Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, and Brittany, as well as various places in England, such as Glastonbury, Brigid is known by many as a pre-Christian Goddess and a Patroness Saint of Ireland. In Her incarnations as goddess and saint, She is associated with perpetual flames and holy wells, poetry, smithing, medicine and healing, arts and crafts, cattle and other livestock, and more. Some of Her many correspondences include the swan, cow, fox, serpent, sheep, the colors green, blue, red, orange, and white, the cloak, dawn, Spring, fire and water. Imbolc, the fire festival associated with the goddess Brigid, is observed on February 1st, a date that coincides with Saint Brigid’s feast day.

Emigration forms much of the modern history of the six Celtic nations. Over the last few centuries, people from each Celtic nation have scattered all over the world for many reasons, including economic hardship and political and religious oppression. It has been estimated that today there could be as many as 70 million people of Irish descent globally, with a further 20 million people claiming Scottish ancestry. There are also several millions of people of Welsh, Breton, Manx, and Cornish ancestry spread across the Americas and Australia. Overall, there are 100 million+ people internationally who can claim descendancy from one or more of the six Celtic nations. Additionally, an estimated 3.5 million English immigrated to the U.S. after 1776. When those immigrants left their native lands for distant shores, they carried with them their deities, lore, art, songs, recipes, poetry, and traditions. In that manner did the beloved Brigid travel far and wide, and today continues as goddess and saint for millions of people around the world.

ANTHOLOGY THEME

This anthology is intended to be a celebration of Brigid and, while acknowledging Her origins, will focus mainly on the perspective of those devotees who live outside Her original Celtic homeland. We are searching for submissions in the form of art, poetry, stories, spells, rituals, recipes, and traditions that honor the worldwide influence of Brigid’s magic and lore, especially among the descendants of immigrants. In compiling these individual works, we hope to give voice to those traveling ancestors by showcasing a rich and beautiful heritage manifested through embodiments of devotion by their descendants, as well as others touched by Brigid.

WRITING FOR A GOOD CAUSE

In the spirit of service, 100% of profits in equal portion will be donated to three 501(c)3 organizations in the USA. The first, Rebuilding Together/She Builds, is a collaboration dedicated to advancing housing and community issues affecting women. The second, American Immigration Council, is a non-profit, non-partisan organization whose legal, education, policy and exchange programs work to strengthen America by honoring its immigrant history and shaping how Americans think and act towards immigration now and in the future. The third, First Nations Development Institute, works to improve economic conditions for Native Americans through direct financial grants, technical assistance & training, and advocacy & policy. All three non-profits have a 4-star rating on Charity Navigator.

OVERVIEW OF ANTHOLOGY

• Title TBA
• Anthologists: Cairelle Crow and Laura Louella
• Submission Deadline: April 9th, 2021
• Publisher: Weiser Books
• Expected Publication: Imbolc 2022
• Consideration/Honorarium:
  • $25 USD per Accepted Submission
  • Name/Bio in Book
  • Free Contributor Copy
  • Discount on Additional Copies
• 100% of profits will be donated to charity

SUBMISSION INFO AND GUIDELINES

• All submissions must be original, previously unpublished, and written in English.
• Art and photography should be black and white, or colors that will convert well, and in a portrait orientation.
• Poetry should have a maximum 500 words.
• Recipes and rituals should include a short description or back story that ties them in with the theme.
• Short stories should range between 2000 and (roughly) 5000 words.
• Art and photography submissions should be attached to the email, with your name and the title as the file name. (Example: SmithBrigidsWell.jpg) We will ask for a high resolution file after acceptance.
• All other submissions should be in .docx format and attached to the email, with your name and the title as the file name.
• Up to five (5) pieces may be submitted simultaneously, within one email, for consideration. No multiple submissions, please.
• Add a short description in the body of the email, by title, for each submission.
• Font size 12, Times New Roman (or Times), single spaced, is appreciated. 
• Include your legal name, your mailing address, your pen name, a 100-words-or-less author bio, along with links to your website and social media channels, in the body of the email.
• If you’re able, also include an ancestral couple or a single ancestor of yours, along with their nation of origin. Use the woman’s surname prior to marriage as part of her name (if known). For example, “Hugh Rowan and Mary Meehan Rowan of Ireland” or “Catherine MacKenzie of Scotland.”

Send your submission to info@sanctuaryofbrigid.com. The subject should read “Brigid Anthology (Submission Title, Author Name).” All submissions are juried by the anthology’s editors, no guarantee of publication is made. Notification of decision is anticipated to be sent via email no later than April 30th, 2021. Detailed contract info will be provided after acceptance.

We look forward to admiring your art and photos and reading your rituals, recipes, stories, and poems. Thank you for sharing in our excitement to shine on Brigid with this unique spotlight!

Bright Blessings!
Cairelle and Laura
Anthologists