Call for Submissions

DRT Press is seeking personal essays written by parents of children with ADD, ADHD and/or other mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders for a book about the experience of parenting children with such conditions, for publication (expected) in spring, 2011.

***NEW***(Updated 5/2010) In addition to essays, we are now seeking comic strips to illustrate the same topics.  Comics will be printed in black and white only; no color. Because creating comics requires a specific skill set, contributions will be accepted from persons who are not parents or caregivers of challenging children, as
well as those who are, as long as the work captures the parenting experience. 
Contributors will receive the same compensation, and accept the same marketing responsibilities, as essayists (described below).   

Essays in this collection will be ones in which parents who care for challenging children can see themselves.  Parents/readers will laugh, cry, and find comfort in these stories.

Focus should be on the feelings and experiences of the writer/parent, rather than simply a description of the child and the child’s condition, behavior, and treatment.  We are looking for honest feelings, lessons learned, epiphanies, commonplace and extraordinary experiences.   Although we are not looking for how-tos on the best way to parent a behaviorally challenged child, we would like to see essays that give parents glimpses of what has worked for individual parents.  

We are interested in submissions from parents of toddlers, young children, teens, and adult children; those who are in the parenting trenches now, and those looking back on their parenting experiences. Possible topics include, but are not limited to: how your child came to be diagnosed, the experience of dealing with problem behaviors in various contexts and settings, experiences with/feelings about treatment (therapies, medications, alternative treatments), school (and other advocacy) experiences, your child’s social interactions/friends, and the effect of parenting your child on your emotional and physical health, marriage, and other relationships.     

Essays chosen will focus on children with mild to moderate conditions, rather than children who are disabled by their conditions.  We are not seeking stories about children with autism, unless another emotional or behavior disorder, such as ADD or ADHD, is the primary diagnosis, and “a little something on the autism spectrum” is also present.  We are not seeking stories about physical disabilities or severe developmental delays.  On the other hand, a child need not have a formal diagnosis.  The common denominator in the stories will be kids with behavior problems that present a parenting challenge.  

Pieces may be previously unpublished, or if previously published, the author must hold reprint rights.  Non-fiction essays only please; no poetry or fiction.  Photos may be submitted, but are not required.  Authors may choose to use their own first and last names and the names of their minor children, fictional names, or first names only. Likewise, you may indicate your city and state, state only, or provide no information.  Please specify such choices in your cover document.   Names, photos, or identifying information of adult children will not be used without the individual’s written consent. 
Compensation includes 10 copies of the completed book and unlimited discounted copies.  Payment may be offered. Contributors will be expected to participate actively marketing and promotions of the book, with strategies and printed materials to be provided and/or approved by DRT Press. Authors of essays selected for publication will be required to sign a release agreement. 

The book will be co-edited by author/editor/publisher Adrienne Ehlert Bashista, Publisher, of DRT Press and Kay Marner, a freelance writer who contributes regularly to ADDitude magazine, and blogs for ADDitudeMag.com. For further information about the editors please visit their websites.    

Please email submissions to: kay@kaymarner.com. 

Your submission should include:

--a cover letter in the form of a word processing document attachment.   In the cover letter please introduce yourself and summarize your essay.  Describe your writing and publishing experience.  State whether your essay includes real or fictional names and places. State the current age of the child/subject of the essay and your relationship to that individual.

--your author bio of 75 words or less in a separate word processing document attachment      

--your essay as a separate word processing document. 

Please format both documents using Arial or Times New Roman font size 12, double spaced, page numbers and author/title noted on each page, all 1 inch margins.   No word count is specified, but essays will be 1 ½ -4 pages in finished format, and may be edited for length and content.  

If you choose to submit one or more photos, we encourage “action” shots or shots that bring the child’s personality to life, that help readers identify with the piece, or that further the story. Photos must be high resolution.  Interior photos will be printed in black and white. If attaching a photo, please describe it in your cover letter.    

Soft deadline for submissions has been extended to June, 2010. Check this web page for updates.  You will receive an email acknowledging receipt of your submission.  Writers may submit more than one essay.  Questions are welcome.  Please direct questions to kay@kaymarner.com. Anthology updates can be found at the editor's personal blog: http://kaymarner.com/blog/category/anthology-faqs/