JOY: Expressions of Resistance

Written by Sampsonia Way Staff

Published March 1, 2023

Announcing a new literary series by Sampsonia Way Magazine!

Sampsonia Way Magazine seeks writers to contribute to our newest literary series JOY: Expressions of Resistance. Inspired by the observation made by poet Toi Derricotte that “joy is an act of resistance” — we’re looking for stories, essays, and poems that portray the experience and perseverance of JOY.

This series is our response to the August 2022 attack on writer Salman Rushdie and the enduring difficulties of a global pandemic. In moments where fear and trepidation can feel so overwhelming, we’ve come to believe that the correct response to the sorrows of our time is to celebrate the art of living: to trumpet joy! In this spirit, we’re collecting reflections on joy — joy as a daily experience, joy as gravity, joy as a creative force.  Send us your articulations of Joy.

Reading period is open March 1st through March 31st.

• We’re accepting pitches or completed drafts. Email us at info [at] sampsoniaway.org with the subject line: “Joy Submission”

• For a pitch, please write us a brief introduction, followed by your vision for your piece. If your pitch is accepted, we are eager to provide support as you develop your idea and to work with you on each stage of the writing process.

• For completed drafts, please email us a brief introduction along with a copy of your work, up to 2,500 words.

• For poetry, we can accept as many as five poems from one poet.

• At this time, we are accepting English-language work only.

In this six-part series, we are commissioning three works from writers associated with International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN) and three more from anywhere in the world, offering $800 honorarium per contributor. We are accepting submissions

“JOY: Expressions of Resistance” is a collaboration between City of Asylum, University of Pittsburgh’s Public and Professional Writing Program, and is sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh’s “Year of Emotional Well-Being.”