A new anthology is open for submissions from all Arab Australian writers.

Although there are 22 separate Arab nationalities representing a wide variety of cultural backgrounds and experiences, the perception of Arabs in Australia has largely ranged from a homogenising one (at best), to one that plays on pop-culture caricatures of a deviant, hyper-masculine, uncivilised, savage Arab.

We are looking for first-person pieces about growing up as a member of the Arab diaspora in Australia. We are particularly looking for personal essays or creative nonfiction exploring themes of family, this country, stories from times past, grief, belonging, identity, confusion, perhaps isolation. Poetry which speaks strongly to the aim of the anthology may also be considered. Above all, we want to smash the stereotypes about our community that too often proliferate in the mainstream media.

The collection will be edited by author and academic Randa Abdel Fattah and activist and poet Sara Saleh.

Submissions should be between 1000 and 3000 words, and ideally should include a 50-100 word biography. All submissions must be received by Friday 15 February 2019. Entries after that date may not be accepted.

Please email all submissions or queries to growinguparab@gmail.com. Submissions should be attached as Word documents.

Final selection will be made in March 2019 and successful contributors will be notified by email.