Open Submission Request for Modern Folktales
Do you have a story that you think qualifies as a modern folktale? If you do, ModernFolktales.com would like to read it. If we think it meets the folktale standard, we’ll publish it on our site!
ModernFolktales.com is a new but very important project. We’re on a mission to identify modern folktales throughout the world and publish them under one roof on the Internet for everyone everywhere to read.
Our Goal
To create an online collection of folktales that represent people’s stories in every locality of the world. Wherever there are people, there are stories. Wherever there are stories, there are folktales, and we want to publish them on ModernFolktales.com. We’ll categorize them by:
1. location;
2. author;
3. media format—we’re accepting written word, spoken word, and video recordings (e.g., movies); and
3. story type or genre.
Why Modern Folktales are Important
First of all, a folktale, as we see it, is a story that is both specific and general. This is to say, even though it may be unique to you, the individual, it may tie into or represent the stories of many other people as well. There might be any number of reasons for this. A factory closing; a natural disaster; war; etc. The point about folktales is that they are stories that often evolve out of situations where people are somehow impacted by large forces. The stories plug into the universal because the forces are big enough that they affect not just one person but many people. Yet there is no law that states everyone must be impacted in the same way. It’s enough that we’re familiar with these forces and can therefore relate to the actions and feelings of the stories’ characters.
There are many big things happening in the world nowadays. People are facing huge challenges in both the developed and developing worlds. In may cases, these challenges are unique to the contemporary world in which we live—modern or post modern, whatever one prefers to call it. Yet we are living and coping with them, and stories are being born out of the process. These challenges and our common humanity are things we all share. In this process—this river of life—we are swept along, sometimes struggling, sometimes giving ourselves over to the flow. How much richer would our lives be if there were a place where the world could come and experience these stories; an experience in which each participant can, at the same time, learn about themselves?
Collaborative Folktales
Since folktales are stories to which, by definition, many people can relate, we think it’d be extremely interesting if we created an option that would allow different people to collaborate on the same folktale. Think about this for a moment. What if you were reading a story and really had something special that you wanted to add—something that you knew would make an already good story great. Perhaps you, like the main character, had been in a similar situation yourself. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could somehow update the story with this information? Maybe you have something else in common with the original author, and the addition of your input created a synergy that was not possible in the absence of this collaboration.
Operationally, collaboration is easy. If a reader wants to make a suggestion, all they need to do is submit a comment just like a blog. The comment will be reviewed and, if the reviewer believes it will make an important enough contribution, he or she will notify the original author and request his or her approval of the addition.
But, remember, collaboration is just an option. If you submit a story that is accepted for publication, please indicate whether you will allow us to tag it with the collaboration feature. You’re not in any way required to do this. Not allowing collaboration won’t affect whether the story is accepted or not.
Here are some guidelines to assist you in making a submission.
Submission Guidelines
1. Submissions may be fiction or non-fiction.
2. It would be helpful if you submit your name (pseudonyms are acceptable); the location where the story was born (we believe that the particular location where a story occurred is a very important aspect of folktales).; and a valid email address (this will be kept confidential or published based on your preference).
You may also submit, but don’t have to, a picture (avatars acceptable) of yourself, other pictures or illustrations that add to the story, a short bio about yourself, and appropriate links to your own web presence, if you have one.
3. We’re accepting both written word, spoken word, and video-recorded folktales. The ideal length for each is:
Written: 4,500 words or less.
Spoken Word: 15 minutes or less.
Video Recordings: 20 minutes or less.
Exceptions will be made if warranted.
4. Indicate whether it is okay to allow collaboration on your folktale.
5. Use this simple contact form to let us know what it is you propose to submit. We will reply with specific instructions how to complete your submission.
A Note to Webmasters and Bloggers
Due to the nature of this project, ModernFolktales.com would greatly welcome any assistance you can offer to help get the word out. Please feel free to link directly to this page from your web site or blog. (Pingbacks are appreciated.)
Please contact us with any questions.
