Kings River Blues

Kings River Blues is seeking well crafted, factual and detailed essays and black and white photographs about African Americans who have contributed significantly to Kings County, California. Submissions from Fresno County will be considered although Kings County is preferred. We are specifically searching for black and white photos and biographical essays that cover African Americans from the 1930's and before. Some material from the 1940's will be considered. Preference will be given to biographical essays from Hanford, but all essays are welcome and will be considered. We want more than just biographical accounts of citizens, we want characterizations with vivid details that appeal to the audiences senses. We want colorful evocative essays that speak to the hearts of its readers and also places the readers back in time. We are not looking for fictional pieces but may consider a limited amount of original poetry from deceased relatives. We want pieces on pioneers/movers and shakers. If there’s any documentation that can assist the editors in verifying and fact checking the information provided it would be greatly appreciated.

LENGTH: minimum of 600 and maximum of 1200 words

FORMAT: Essays must be typed, double-spaced, and paginated. Please include your address, phone number, email address, and a short bio on the last page. No simultaneous submissions. Previously published essays will be considered. Essays will not be returned. Please be open to revisions as well.

SUBMITTING: Electronic submissions are preferred. Send essay electronically as a Word or Rich Text Format file (with .doc or .rtf extension).

EDITOR: Jackie Joice was a Hurston/Wright Writer’s Week participant in July 2004. She currently freelances for the feminist magazine Loudmouth based at Cal State University Los Angeles. Questions to the editor can be emailed to jackiejoice@yahoo.com.

PHOTOS: Please do not send originals. Send up to two photos per biography if available. Please email photos in .jpg format to jackiejoice@yahoo.com with dimensions of 300dpi.

We’re also seeking black and white poised photos of women in constructed and natural settings. Make sure full names of subjects (women) accompany photo submissions. Same requirements apply for photos.

POETRY REQS: Original poetry must be dated (pre- 1930s) and handwritten and must be a copy. Please mail poetry to:

Jackie Joice

1218 E Broadway # 100

Long Beach, CA 90802

COMPENSATION: One Copy and possible small honorarium

DEADLINE: (The earlier the better) April 1, 2006