Words have always been a tool for change, for expressing thoughts, feelings, and ideas.  Some words have even driven history.  Now, you are invited to share your words with the community through a unique project organized by Ryan Smolar.  He’s inviting you to share 300 words or less, in any writing style, that will be collected in a volume titled “North Long Beach: An Anthology.”  Although he’s asking for participation from writers who live and/or work in North Long Beach, he’s also accepting work related in some way to North Long Beach by City residents who live in other areas. 

He’s encouraging everyone to participate, regardless of experience.  He’s specifically reaching out to students, whose work was was extensively featured in his previous book, “Book By Authors“.  He sees the project as a way to create and highlight the connections we share to the place we all call home.  

In a prepared statement, Ryan said the book project “empowers the community to tell their story, write their history, illustrate their lives, or express their souls.” 

Rachel Potucek, Project Manager for the book, said, “We welcome writers and artists of all skill levels, interests and backgrounds and all written genres including transcribed oral histories, short stories, essays and poetry.”

The publishers will also be seeking artwork, including drawings, illustrations, paintings, and photographs to accompany the text.  

Literary and artistic submissions will go through a review process by judges from the community, and final selections will be included in the book.  With “Book By Authors,” two versions were printed: a b/w paper bound edition, and a hard bound full color edition.  The same is expected for “North Long Beach: An Anthology”.

The book is funded by a grant from Atlantic Connected Corridor, a project that arose from Leadership Long Beach.

The submission deadline is October 15.  Submission guidelines, and information about purchasing “Book By Authors” which is, by the way, a fundraising tool for the Long Beach Public Library Foundation, can be found at www.bookbyauthors.org. 

The new volume will be available in time for the Holiday shopping season, and will be sold by local retailers.