The Australian Country Women’s Anthology
PRESENTS

Yes, there are some guidelines to ensure consistency and readability across the anthology. We ask that submissions adhere to the following formatting requirements: Poems should be submitted in a standard font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, with a font size of 12. Each poem should be titled and submitted as a separate document. Please include the title, author’s name and contact information in the document header or footer. Poems should be formatted as single-spaced with a clear distinction between stanzas, if applicable. We recommend limiting poems to a maximum of two pages in length to accommodate various contributors and maintain reader engagement. Submissions should be in a common file format such as .docx or .pdf. Following these guidelines ensures that your submission is easy to review and aligns with the overall aesthetic of the anthology.

To maintain the authenticity and uniqueness of our anthology, we are exclusively seeking original, unpublished poetry for submission. We're on a quest to unearth hidden gems, to find those lost poems that may have remained tucked away, waiting to be discovered. By focusing on unpublished work, we aim to showcase the raw, untouched beauty of untold stories and unheard voices, capturing the essence of the Australian female experience in its purest form.

No. In selecting poetry for "Her Beauty and Her Terror," we aim to encompass the multifaceted nature of human experience. While we do not adhere strictly to predefined themes, we encourage submissions that evoke the complexities, nuances, and emotional landscapes inherent in the theme "her beauty and her terror." Whether your poetry delves into personal struggles, triumphs, love, loss, resilience, or the raw beauty found within life's darkest moments, we welcome all submissions that authentically reflect the breadth and depth of human emotion and experience.

While we deeply appreciate the interest and creativity of all poets, "Her Beauty and Her Terror" is specifically curated to showcase the unique voices and experiences of Australian women. As such, we kindly request that submissions be made exclusively by female writers. We believe that this focus allows us to authentically capture and celebrate the diverse perspectives and stories of women living in rural Australia. Thank you for your understanding and support of our vision for this anthology.

We will evaluate submissions based on several criteria to ensure the highest quality and thematic coherence throughout the anthology: Relevance to Theme: Poems should resonate with the overarching theme of "Her Beauty and Her Terror," exploring the wild edges of human experience and reflecting the unique perspectives of Australian women. Artistic Merit: We will assess the artistic quality of each poem, considering its creativity, imagery, language, and emotional depth. Authenticity and Voice: We value authentic and genuine expressions of personal experiences, emotions, and insights. Poems that capture a distinct voice and perspective will be prioritised. Technical Proficiency: While we embrace diverse styles and forms of poetry, we also look for poems that demonstrate a strong command of language, structure, and poetic devices. Diversity and Representation: We aim to showcase a diverse range of voices, backgrounds, and experiences. Submissions that contribute to the anthology's diversity and inclusivity will be given careful consideration. Overall Cohesion: We seek to create a cohesive and engaging anthology that flows seamlessly from one poem to the next. Selected poems will complement each other thematically and stylistically, enhancing the overall reading experience. While we will certainly consider the outlined criteria during the selection process, it's crucial to emphasise that storytelling lies at the heart of this anthology. We're looking for poetry that delves deep into the raw and authentic experiences of Australian women, capturing the essence of their lived realities with honesty. Poems that convey a genuine voice or opinion, or evoke raw emotions will resonate most strongly with our readers and are therefore highly valued for inclusion.