10/12/2026
Suelo y sol / Soil and Sun--Hispanic Appalachian Musings
In 2007, Director Anne Lewis documented Hispanic/Latinx Appalachian "workers who speak about their lives, work, disappointments, and hope."
Since that time, a significant boom of Hispanic/Latinx individuals has gained further recognition in Appalachian culture and community. Bands such as Appalatin and Che Apalache have been formed, academic papers have been written on migration patterns and demographic analysis, and oral history narratives have been collected. The very presence of these individuals has been established in the physical, factual realm of nonfiction spaces. However, very little has been explored in terms of Hispanic Appalachian fiction.
Suelo y sol / Soil and Sun: Hispanic Appalachian Musings is an anthology of fictional works written by first generation, second generation, and otherwise-related Appalachian peoples of Hispanic/Latinx descent. Through poetry, short stories, graphic novels, historical fiction, and other mediums, authors explore the Creative in multi-cultural spaces, mythological tales, and often-times the nonsensically absurd. If you have ever wondered what happens when the Chupa meets a Wampus Cat, how the local bruja comprehends the Spirit of the Mountains, or who tends the ridge when the old traditions fade, Suelo y sol invites you to pull up a seat and set a spell.
This collection charts the intersections of mountain roots and Latinx heritage, capturing the quiet resiliency, vivid folklore, and complex identity of an evolving region. Through voices that bridge languages, generations, and geographies, these stories illuminate how the land shapes us—and how we, in turn, breathe new life into the places we call home. The project is anticipated to be published by a major University press.
Formats & Length:
Short Stories & Historical Fiction: Up to 5,000 words.
Poetry: Up to 5 poems per submission.
Graphic Novels / Visual Works: High-resolution PDF samples (up to 30 pages.)
Formatting Requirements: Times New Roman, 12-pt font, double-spaced for all non-graphic works. Please submit in Word or Google Doc files. Kindly do not submit works that have been published prior to this project or simultaneous publication proposals.
Languages: Submissions in English, Spanish, Spanglish, or code-switched text are warmly welcomed.
Eligibility: Open to self-identified Hispanic/Latinx writers, artists, and creators living in, from, or deeply rooted in the Appalachian region.
Author Bio: include a short bio (e.g., 50–100 words) and a brief note on your connection to Appalachia or the theme.
Deadline and Acceptance: Please submit your works prior to Jan 1, 2027. Authors will be informed of acceptance by mid-February 2027, with a target publication date in Fall/2027 - Spring/2028.
Email submissions and any questions you may have to [email protected] with the subject line: Suelo y Sol Submission – [Your Last Name].
Ian Kirkpatrick, M.A.
