Working title: The Leopold Legacy: First Family of Environmentalism
Seeking nonfiction essays that illuminate the contributions, personalities, and values of the five children of Aldo Leopold: A. Starker, Luna, Nina, Carl, and Estella. We expect to receive submissions which focus on only one Leopold per contribution, but we are open to surprises. We will also consider essays related to Aldo Leopold, Mrs. Aldo (Estella) Leopold, or other relatives of the Leopold family.
The ideal contributor to this volume would be one who has studied under one of the Leopolds or worked or socialized with them. Contributions by extended family members are also coveted. It is also easy to imagine that those who have spent time with a Leopold outdoors “in the field” would have an ideal setting for their essay. Contributions from those who have been impacted indirectly by Leopold words and works also considered.
The Leopold siblings have been effective in shining a spotlight toward their impressive father. We would not wish to dim that focus. Rather, this book will seek to enlarge that spotlight to a remarkable family that has had an immense influence on environmentalism, activism, and the scientific basis of conservation. The book will be divided into two parts. The collection will include chapters about each sibling, so the basic outline of their life will be covered here. The second part will consist of essays from contributors. Therefore, writers do not need to write a full Leopold bio as a part of their essay, although inclusion of specific details related to their life are encouraged. Essays may be edited to reduce repetitive information across the book and to achieve an optimal narrative flow. The audience for this collection is an educated general adult population. We do not seek academic nonfiction papers, yet we hope to see academic subject matter discussed in the essay. Scientists have a special understanding of the Leopold contribution, and their insight is coveted for this collection. These essays serve to introduce the Leopolds, their work, their activism, and their values to the general population. The nation and world should know about this remarkable family.
Essays should be written in first person and have an approximate length of 750 to 3500 words. Each submission should have a beginning, middle, and end and make use of narrative, including scenes and anecdotes to make a larger point about the character and contributions of the subject. Information about the Leopold contribution to the scientific community as it relates to the natural world is essential to this compilation. Ideal length is 750 to 3000 words. Facts should be accurate. Please do not use footnotes. Endnotes are acceptable if appropriate to the work.
Do include a personal author bio of 100-300 words. This bio serves not only to identify the writer, but to demonstrate that you, the writer, have also been influenced by the Leopold legacy, and your work is in some way another extension of that legacy. Also include contact information, including email, address, and phone.
Honoraria for accepted essays will be based on the final publishing contract and will be donated to the Aldo Leopold Foundation unless otherwise requested. Writers whose work is accepted will have the option to claim their honorarium when contracts are sent. Several publishing houses have already expressed interest in this volume. We are seeking some essays to accompany the final proposal, so we urgently request you to send your essay ASAP. Please label all file names with your last name first. We don’t want 500 files that all say “Leopold essay.” For example, if your name is Terry Middleton and your essay is titled “Starker’s Second Shack,” Label your essay file, “Middleton_Starker.” If you are not able to submit to this collection now, but plan to submit prior to March 31, please let us know by email.
Submission deadline March 31, 2011 or when anthology filled. All contributors who supply an active email address will receive a response. Please submit sooner rather than later.
Amy L Jenkins BS MFA, author of Every Natural Fact: Five Seasons of Open-Air Parenting, June 2010 by Holy Cow! Press.
AmyLouJenkins.com
Please feel free to widely distribute this call for manuscripts.
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