ANTHOLOGY PROJECT: A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER

A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER 

The Lamm Jewish Library of Australia and InternationALL Women’s Day is inviting Jewish women in Australia to submit personal essays about life post-October 7. This project aims to amplify Jewish women's voices, heal hearts, document history and build community. 

The essays will be compiled and archived in the Lamm Jewish Library of Australia (LJLA) and the National Library of Israel’s October 7 Archive, which has been established to serve as a central repository for documents produced in the wake of the atrocities. A selection of the essays will also be published in an anthology. 

Please use this page to register your interest in the project - we will send you updates and workshop opportunities.

Submissions will be open between 1 August - 7 October 2024. The personal essays should be up to 2000 words in length and can be written in English or Hebrew. Submission process will be shared closer to the time.

We are offering a writing workshop for those who would like guidance and peer support when writing. The workshop (two consecutive sessions) will be facilitated by Dr Lee Kofman, writer, editor & teacher, in Melbourne. Once you have registered your interest in the project via this page, please check your confirmation email for more information about the workshop.

Reach out if you have any questions! email: commanthology2024@gmail.com

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who can submit an essay to this project?

Anyone who identifies as a Jewish woman, 18 years or older, who has been based in Australia since 7 October 2023. 

Why is it a writing project for women only?

The project aims to amplify Jewish women's voices, heal hearts, document history and build community. The project emerged from a range of women-led activations which have sought to raise awareness about the sexual violence of October 7 and the continued captivity of Israeli women at the hands of Hamas, and to empower women in response to the misrepresentation and vilification of the Jewish community in Australia. Submissions should be a personal response to life in the wake of October 7, from the perspective of a Jewish woman living in Australia.

Can I submit an essay if I am not an Australian citizen?

Yes – you are welcome to submit an essay if you have been based in Australia at any point since 7 October 2023.

Can I submit an essay if I am not based in Melbourne?

Yes – this is a nationwide project. We welcome submissions from anywhere in Australia. 
 

Does the essay have to be in English?

No – essays can be submitted in English or Hebrew.

How long should the essay be?

Up to 2000 words.

Are there other submission guidelines?

Essays must not breach the IHRA definition of antisemitism or any Australian legislation regarding copyright, defamation, discrimination or causing offence etc. The editorial committee, in consultation with the Lamm Jewish Library of Australia, will use its discretion to ensure all essays meet these criteria.

What should the essay be about?
The theme of the project is A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER. The essay should be a personal response to life post-October 7.

Can I submit an essay if it has already been published elsewhere?

We are seeking essays that have been specifically written for this project, but exceptions may be granted. Please email commanthology2024@gmail.com 

If my essay is selected for publication in the anthology – can I also get it published elsewhere?

No - essays selected for the anthology must not be reproduced without permission from the publisher.

Can I submit an essay under a pen name?

Yes - but the editorial committee will need to be able to identify you and communicate with you if the essay is selected for publication in the anthology.

Can I submit an essay for archiving but request that it not be published in the anthology?

Yes. When you submit the essay, you will be asked whether you wish for it to be considered for publication. 

Can I submit a poem or song?

No - but you have the option of submitting the poem or song independently to the National Library of Israel October 7 archive.

 

Can I submit artwork?

No - at this stage we do not intend to include artwork. You have the option of submitting artwork independently to the National Library of Israel October 7 archive.

Will all of the essays be archived at LJLA and the National Library of Israel?

Yes – all the essays that meet the conditions of entry will be compiled and archived.

Will I be paid for submitting an essay?

No - but the project committee is seeking philanthropic funding so that if your essay is selected for publication in the anthology, you may receive a symbolic honorarium.

When/where will the workshops be held?

The Melbourne workshops will be at LJLA in August (dates tbc).

There may also be workshops held in Sydney (tbc). Please email commanthology2024@gmail.com if you wish to find out about workshop opportunities in a city other than Melbourne.

Will the workshop be free?

No - the two-session workshop will cost $80 (tbc) to cover costs. Applicants can request to have the fee waived or reduced. 

Will excerpts of my essay be shared online/in the media?

If the committee wants to share excerpts of your essay, your permission will be sought.

How many essays will be selected for publication in the anthology?

There is no fixed number. The project committee will make selections based on the quality of the writing.

If my essay is selected for publication, will it be edited/proofread?

Yes - the editorial committee members will edit and proofread the text but you will be consulted throughout the process. You will need to give your signed approval before publication. 

When will the anthology be published? Will it be available for sale?

The committee will work towards a release date on 7 October 2025.

The book will be available for sale and proceeds will cover the cost of production.

How can my organisation get involved in this project?

This is a grassroots project involving InternationALL Women’s Day and the Lamm Jewish Library of Australia. If your organisation wishes to get involved, please email commanthology2024@gmail.com. 

 

I am keen to support this project financially.  

Any support would be appreciated. Please email commanthology2024@gmail.com 

 

I would like to write an article about this project. 

We are happy to discuss the project with you. Please email commanthology2024@gmail.com and a member of our steering committee will get in touch.

How can I stay informed about the project?

Please register your interest here: https://events.humanitix.com/anthology-project-a-year-like-no-other