Call for Submissions

mattie, a new digital-first creative writing project exploring the stories of Guyana’s people, is inviting fiction, non-fiction and poetry submissions centred around the theme of “Community” for its inaugural publication. 

As Guyana celebrates 60 years of independence, we believe that this presents an opportunity for Guyanese here and afar to reflect on who we are and who we are becoming amidst the rapid changes taking place around us.

Our identity as individuals is shaped by community, and “community” can mean different things for many different people. We want to hear your stories of your communities and how they helped to make you, break you, delight you, annoy you, and every emotion in-between.

 

Take us through the memories of your small days fishing in the trench with your friends. Tell us about the friendships made on the lessons circuit during your Common Entrance or CXC years. Give we a lil taste of the gossip from the Big Aunty Network when you sit near one of them during a wedding or funeral

 

Give we stories of lil chirren party, or big people party. Or perhaps you have a story of people who helped you out of a nasty problem, or a story of people who put you into sheer worries. 

 

Maybe you have a story about falling out of community and dealing with feelings of unbelonging. Or a story about finding your way back into community after a long time, and the complex feelings that come with reconnection. 

 

Regardless of which direction you go, we want your stories, essays and poetry about the good, the bad, the ugly, the sad, the skin-teeth and suck-teeth that come with Community in a 60-year-old Independent Guyana. The deadline for submissions is July 31, 2026. 

Click here for the Submission Form.