“Under The Sun” Literary Journal Taking Submissions For Writing Contest

The Upper Cumberland’s online literary journal “Under The Sun” is taking submissions for its second Summer Writing Contest.

The contest is for pieces of creative non-fiction and can be any type of work from poetry to memoirs. Editor Martha Highers said submissions should be as attention-catching as fiction, but true stories.

“When you write creative non-fiction it’s not going to be made up,” Highers said. “So you can’t put things in it that didn’t happen, but you can shape them as if they’re as interesting as works of fiction and you can tinker with your point of view.”

Highers said the best submissions have an interesting voice, topic, and something that makes readers care. She said many writers find inspiration from their personal lives or current events. She said the winner of the contest will receive $500. There is a $15 submission fee, and works are due by July 31st. Higher said you can submit online through their website, or by mail.

Highers said that in submitting to the contest, writers will receive feedback on their writing, regardless of whether they become a finalist.  She said that one of her favorite features of “Under The Sun” is that the group is very writer-friendly.

“Honestly that’s one of the best things about our journal,” Highers said. “You get feedback. A lot of times you send things off to a journal, and you get a form letter or a form email. We try to personalize our feedback in 90 percent of the cases. “

Highers said they welcome work from writers of all ages. She said the youngest writer they’ve published is in her early twenties, and that the oldest is an 85-year-old writer who just decided to write three years ago.

While the organization is Cookeville-based, Highers said they have readers across the country and across the world in places like London and Israel. She said the group is always looking to connect with other community members such as local English teachers.