Calling for pitches: Geez 23 and 24

by Rachel Barber | Published 26th May 2011 in Ways of Seeing | 1

Geez 23, the sacred space issue

In a final, eleventh-hour call for pitches for Geez 23, we want to hear about the psychogeography of sacred space.

How can we re-imagine and re-design our lives away from capitalist-infused efficiency and consumption? Do our sacred spaces resemble heartless retail structures and corporate warehouses? How can the design of our spaces reflect a move toward wonder, mystery, neighbourliness and love?

Let’s give Geez readers stories and ideas for alternative sacred sites and spaces, both corporate and personal.

For example, look at the church, the most stereotypical “sacred space”. Do you know of a different way of being/doing church? What does it look like, how does it work? How is it a healing presence in a broken world?

And there’s a bonus: the Whacky Category. In the style of flash non-fiction, help relieve readers with true, goofy, theme-related stories.

Send pitches, short stories and/or photo to these questions.

Deadline for pitches: May 31, 2011
Deadline for articles (if assigned): June 13, 2011

Geez 24, the privilege issue

And for Geez 24, we’ll be examining the problems of privilege. Let’s assume Geez writers and readers are progressive spiritual folks. We resist racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, ableism, and violence.

At the same time, most of us carry privileges that come from being white, male, heterosexual, highly educated, able-bodied or middle-class. How aware are we of these unearned advantages? They give us security and, ironically, reinforce the systems we work against.

It’s hard to recognize privilege, and even harder (for those of us who benefit from it) to do something about it. In this issue of Geez we’ll name the forms of privilege in our personal lives, our faith communities and our wider society. We’ll look for creative and hopeful ways to address, maybe even undermine, privilege.

Some questions to get your ideas flowing:

• Are you an underprivileged or privileged person with something to say?
• A do-gooder who did harm with a story to tell?
• What happens when people and communities become aware of privilege?
• How can privileged people work to undo or undermine privilege?
• How do we avoid the trappings of privilege as activists, allies, and people of faith?
• How does your faith community engage with privilege?

Share your thoughts, successes, failures and dreams with us.

Deadline for pitches: August 1, 2011
Deadline for articles (if assigned): September 15, 2011

Send pitches, manuscripts and images to Geez 24 editors, Melanie Dennis Unrau and Aiden Enns.
email: stories [at] geezmagazine [dot] org
mail: see the address below

Photos welcome
Consider the topic above and send original photographs (i.e. you took the photo) that provoke or pacify, animate or incite.
Deadline: same as above

Department pitches

A good way to start writing for Geez magazine is with a piece in one of our five departments. Send original stories or ideas for any of these:

Experiments
In this section we throw the spotlight on the actors and activists in the Geez community of readers. Look for personal stories of people putting words into action. Grand experiments are welcome (I bought nothing for a year), but a well-told, mini-experiment is welcome as well (I stopped to help a homeless woman crush her pop tins). There does not have to be an overt reference to faith, although that is welcome.
Length: 50-500 words

Culturosities
This is a soft news, arts-and-culture section, with agenda similar to what’s described above under News. Here we highlight fun, disturbing, creative, inspiring things that would not otherwise fit as news. It does not have to relate to the theme of the issue, but it would be good if one or two elements did. An emphasis on public art and creative activism is prime. When making decisions, we refer to phrases such as “holy mischief in an age of fast faith,” and “for people on the fringes of faith.”
Length: 50-500 words

Reviews
In this section we highlight movies, books, websites, magazines, zines or other cultural products that connect somehow to the “Geez agenda” (see topics mentioned under News below). Explain what cultural event or product makes you gag, wince, rejoice or exclaim.
Length: 50-500 words

Civil disobedience
People are standing up for their belief in love, justice, truth, mercy, compassion and fairness. When those in power take advantage of others, and when conventional avenues for change have been attempted or exhausted, it is appropriate to engage in civil disobedience, for the sake of liberation for all. Send a report of your action or others you’ve learned about.
Length: 50-500 words

News
Geez looks for under-reported stories on topics such as workers’ rights, nature, Aboriginal affairs, social services, education, health care, foreign policy, militarism and peacemaking, race/racism, youth, media, science, queer issues, feminism. In most cases, but not all, there will be a connection — direct or implied — to a gospel of social justice. This could include the justice/environmental/political work of any religious group. Or the story could point to neglect or misconduct done by churches and others.
Length: 50-500 words

Tips for pitches

The Geez project is a discussion among people of faith seeking social justice. Our readers and writers express this through art, activism (that is, a creative critique of those in power and the structures that keep them there; it could also be a promotion of alternative practices that subvert them), contemplation and a “more-grounded, inter-connected” approach to living.

Keep pitches brief, write the way you speak, tell us why your idea or story is important, indicate sources you plan to use, and say something about why you are qualified to write this piece. If you already have a completed manuscript, poem, photo or design, feel free to submit it as well. For more, see the previews of past issues as well as the guidelines for writers .

Unfortunately we are not able to respond to every pitch. If you do not hear from us within six weeks of the deadline, assume we were not able to use your idea or article.

Send emails to: stories [at] geezmagazine [dot] org

Looking ahead

We welcome pitches, especially ambitious/whacky/quirky ones for upcoming issues.

Geez 25: Utopia. Whether we’re anarchists, advertisers, do-gooders or old-fashioned churchy types, we all appeal to visions for a better world. Let’s revisit the vision, explore the positive dimension of dreams and point out the pitfalls of utopianism. (Please note, this topic may change.)
Geez 26: Stereotypes. Sure, they tear down, but can they build community too? How do stereotypes function, what do we do about them? You tell us. (Please note, this topic may change.)
Geez 27: Suggestions welcome. Could be de-colonization, blasphemy, or?

Send emails to: stories [at] geezmagazine [dot] org

We look forward to hearing from you,

Aiden Enns, Editor
Geez magazine
400 Edmonton St
Winnipeg MB R3B 2M2
Canada
p. 204 772-9610
w. http://www.geezmagazine.org