Submit to the GROUND ZERO anthology now!

I recently stumbled upon a great blog called Retcon Poet that deals with poetry of mental health, “from depression to suicide to the system that is supposed to treat it.” While looking around the blog, I found a call for submissions for an anthology that the editor is putting together in coalition with Good Morning Bedtime Story, a suicide prevention program that “aims is to provide a forum for those suffering from depression and suicidal tendencies through art, writing and music.” Both blogs explore the ways in which art can help heal the damaged soul, through reflection, creation, and communication. You should definitely take a look!

The anthology, which is to be called GROUND ZERO is looking for submissions of poetry, artwork, and short prose that deals with the broad topic of mental health. From the website:

All proceeds will be donated to Do It For Daron, a collaborative mental health program by the Ottawa Senators and the Royal Ottawa Hospital. It is named for Daron Richardson, the 15-year old daughter of Ottawa Senators’ assistant coach Luke Richardson. She committed suicide in 2010.

All contributors will be given credit, and you can submit under a pseudonym if you so wish. If you think you have something to offer, submit now — the deadline is fast approaching. I submitted today, and got a reply pretty quickly that one of the poems from my book, Chronicles of a Bee Whisperer, would be included in the anthology. The poem, “Foundation,” deals with the topic of child abuse and a young boy’s struggle to break free from the terrible cycle.

For a look at a preliminary table of contents, ad well as submissions details for the cover contest, you can take a look here.