Laomagination

A big thanks to everyone who got their entries in on time! We appreciate the extraordinary response!

For this volume of Lao American speculative art, we will be including some stunning visual art, poetry, short stories and play exceprts from Lao American artists from across the US.

We’re still expecting a few last minute submissions but it looks like we will have over 200 pages of Lao American approaches to science fiction, fantasy, horror and the myths and legends of our past.

Many contributors are already award-winning, nationally-recognized artists, and werecevied work from some new and emerging voices, too. Among those already accepted for the anthology:

Poems by Thavisouk Phrasavath, Oscar-nominated, Emmy-winning director of the film Nerakhoon.

Visual art by Mali Kouanchao, Vongduane  Manivong, Sompaseuth Choulanmany, andSayon Syprasoeuth.

Writing by Catzie of Yellow Rage, Ova Saopeng of ‘Refugee Nation’ and ‘Lao as a Second Language,’ Chanida Phaengdara Potter of the blog Little Laos on the Prairie, and Anchalee P. Roberts.

Play excerpts from editor Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay, author of No Regrets.

Other submissions are currently being reviewed and tweaked, but it’s looking very good and this anthology will constitute the first anthology of Lao American writers and artists since the last SatJaDham collection in 2001. 

We extended the deadline one last time because many of us were tied up by school, work and holidays when the initial call for submissions went out. That, and let’s face it, Laocrastination got the better of some of us. 

If you know any Lao American artists and writers who would be interested in this project, let us know. But this is the absolute last call. The deadline is March 1st.

For those of you thinking of submitting to the Lao American Speculative Arts Anthology, here are a few recent science articles that could serve as an interesting jump-off point for a good what-if story.

• For stories working with a Lao steampunk setting, Charles Darwin’s lost fossil samples were recently rediscovered by a British scientist at the British Geological Survey. Where else could they have ended up?
• Scientists are about to drill into a lake in Antarctica. How might Lao approach research in Antarctica? What might they discover?
• Scientists figured out how to create supersoldier ants among ants who normally don’t have supersoldiers. What other research might Lao scientists do regarding ants or creating supersoldiers in other species?
• If you’re feeling a little apocalyptic, Wired Magazine has a shortlist of scientific ways the world could end.
• A dog and robot snake form an unusual rescue team in an experimental new project. How might they or a similar team operate in Laos or an alien planet?
• If you’re interested in writing a story set in the ocean, scientists just discovered a new underwater world filled with new species.
• A little closer to home is the discovery of over 208 previously unknown species in Southeast Asia.
• Ancient geoglyphs have been discovered in the Amazon. Might something similar be found in Southeast Asia, considering we already have the mysterious Plain of Jars?

And remember: The deadline for submitting or querying pieces for the Lao American Speculative Arts Anthology is March 1st, 2012.

We are seeking submissions for the very first full-length anthology of Lao American speculative art.  

Whether it’s a story of Lao astronauts in a distant future, nak in ancient Lan Xang, or wild weretigers and kinnali in a Laotown filled with superheroes, we want to hear about it!

The anthology aims to examine how Lao look at the fantastic and the future during the Lao diaspora.

Original stories, poems, plays, experimental literature, visual art sought.

The deadline to submit is March 1st, 2012. There are no entry fees.

Send us your best original stories between 250 to 5,555 words in length. We also accept up to 10 poems, up to 255 words per poem. For longer or shorter works, please inquire. We are also looking for examples of visual art: painting, illustrations, mixed media, photography, etc. Visual artists can submit between 5 to 10 pieces. Don’t send originals, but high quality digital files.

All genres and sub-genres, such as steampunk, are welcomed, but no “fan fiction” or use of characters and settings you do not have the rights to. Work should have a reasonably clear Lao connection.

This anthology is requesting one-time electronic and print rights, after which further publication rights revert to the creator. A physical contributor’s copy and e-book copy are provided and a small stipend. Approximately 20 artists and writers will be selected for this project.

To Submit:
We accept RTF files by e-mail only. Put the words: LAO ANTHOLOGY in the subject line with your name. Double spaced manuscript in Times New Roman. Use italics, not underlines when necessary. Use of Laoglish is fine and encouraged, but absolutely NO italicizing Lao words.  Good grammar and spelling appreciated. No simultaneous submissions.

Have your contact information of the first page of the manuscript including e-mail address. Visual art submissions should be able to be reproduced well in black and white and sent as a digital file at 600 dpi or higher. Portrait orientation preferred, but landscape orientation accepted.

Deadline: March 1st, 2012. If you need more time, send us an e-mail of what you’d like to submit and how much time you need to complete it.

Send submissions or additional questions to: Thaoworra@gmail.com or twitter @thaoworra.