Esemplastic

 No, it’s nothing to do with plastic. What esemplastic describes is our ability to come together as a unified whole — how we work as a community. In our small town. Across the state. Around the world. That is the spirit that this zine embodies. 

We are happy to publish work that celebrates, as well as thoroughly considers, freedom across many different perspectives. We want to make space for diversity of interest, authorship, and meaning, as much as we believe in the power of art to connect people to their own and others’ humanity. This zine is about recognizing each other and allowing space to start a conversation.

Poetry submissions may contain up to three poems. The poems should be contained in a single file. Your submission should give a strong sense of your style and range. We accept submissions of all poetic forms and genres, but we are particularly interested in ekphrastic poetry, poems creating a vivid description of a scene or work of art, depicting a version of freedom with which you most identify. If you choose to submit an ekphrastic poem, please clearly note which artistic work inspired your words. 

Short Essay submissions should be unpublished work of 1000 words or less. While we will not guide your hand, we simply wish to know what freedom means to you.

Essay submissions should be unpublished work of no more than 7000 words. Multiple submissions are welcome, as are entries from outside the United States. You may submit essays online by emailing submissions@fourfreedomsandbeyond.com. The only hard and fast rules are that all work submitted must be nonfiction, original to the author, and we will not consider previously published work. That said, we’re looking for essays with these elements:

We are particularly interested in “ekphrastic essays,” that use a work of art as a frame or inspiration for their essay. For example, an author may center their essay on gun rights, public health mask mandates, and freedom of speech issues around one of Norman Rockwell’s paintings, using the themes of the painting to center the points of their argument. 

Short Story submissions should be unpublished works of 3500 words or less. Work should contain themes of freedom that are portrayed by the author. 

Flash Fiction submissions should be unpublished works of 250 words or less. 

Art submissions must be digital and be original in concept, design, and execution. However, we are looking for works inspired in some way by Norman Rockwell, Maggie Meiners, or another artist depicting “The Four Freedoms.” We are looking for local, emerging, and established artists whose work portrays a unique, authentic view of freedom. 

All work must be submitted online by emailing them to submissions@fourfreedomsandbeyond.com. Send us whatever file type and file size you see fit. If we need something different, we’ll let you know.