We are an independent publisher, based in Gloucester.
‘Publishing with an Edge’
A small number of quality, exciting, and at times, alternative literature in various genres.
‘Quality not Quantity’
An opportunity to be part of this anthology
Rise of the Badger and the Great Shrubbery
What phoenix will arise from the ashes of the human race?
The idea for this Anthology was born when I heard, yet again, someone talking about ‘saving the planet’. It occurred to me that it was humanity that needed to be saved; what they were actually talking about was the demise of the human race. Given time, the chances are, the planet will be fine. The planet will survive the climate crisis and the endless wars; people won't. Even these terms; ‘Planet’, ‘Earth’, ‘Gaia’ etc. are all human titles. No humanity; no names; no Earth. When we cease to be, our language goes as well. I doubt the dinosaurs created a name for the place they inhabited.
Are we already too late to prevent it? Probably!
Should we put the proverbial paper bag over our heads, get under a table and just fade away?
No! It’s not all doom and gloom. What do we do now? Each of us should strive to do and be the best we can…Live each of our individual lives towards a glorious zenith.
Ten years ago, at the foot of the Cheese-rolling hill on the A46 between Brockworth and Painswick in Gloucestershire, there were two car parks. The first, near a quarry, was closed due to subsidence. Now, a decade later, as you drive past you would never know that once there was a place to park. The whole area is filled with dense shrubbery and trees are taking over, it has become part of the wooded slope of the hill. It may also surprise some people to know that the top land predator in the United Kingdom is the Badger, which like humans are omnivores, therefore adaptable foodwise. Hence the title came to me. ‘Rise of the Badger and the Great Shrubbery’.
This will be a Climate Crisis Anthology with a difference. Here we will assume that the worst has happened; the Human Race has destroyed itself completely, no survivors. What comes next? What kind of phoenix will arise from the ashes of our human world?
In the first call-out from 15th October 2024 to 15h December 2024 , we are inviting submissions of Poetry (max 100 lines via a word.doc), Flash-Fiction (max 1000 words via a word.doc) and Art (as a .jpg). Your submissions can be serious, frivolous, or just plain off-the-wall
After reviewing submissions, we may have a further submission call-out in January 2025 to fill any perceived gaps. Publication is anticipated mid-2025. All profits from sales of this anthology will go towards funding a multi-arts festival.
Submit to: Peter Lay - blackeyespublishinguk@yahoo.com
Black Eyes Publishing UK/ Gloucestershire Poetry Society 2024 Open Poetry Competition (Judged by Helen Ivory)
RESULTS
First: 20 Ways to Skin a Spell - Sujatha Menon
Second: The fox withstanding - Catherine Wilson Garry
Third: 'Sarah Polgrain’s Song of the Wind’. - Jane Burn
Highly Commended: Mistle Thrush - Carol Sheppard
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The GPS Open 2024 Friendship Prize (Judged by Josephine Lay)
Jointly goes to:
Crystal – Iris Anne Lewis
The Grandmother Hypothesis – Rhian Thomas
Highly Commended:
Elevations – Julie Allan
Advent 2023 – Tudor Griffiths
You Made Me a Corn Dolly – Sue Finch
Poems, Judges Reports etc will be published in the October Edition of Steel Jackdaw.
Black Eyes are,
Peter Lay: Publisher. All the technical stuff involved in the production and publishing of ‘Black Eyes’ books, templates, layout, contracts, pricing, royalties, marketing etc. It is Peter’s job to ensure that all ‘Black Eyes’ books are available via all Amazon platforms, Worldwide, as well as, to order, from bookshops and other booksellers, Worldwide, via the major wholesalers. In 2020, some of our potential marketing developments, have been paused due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. However, as one door part closes another opens, with potential alternative marketing opportunities beginning to emerge.
Josephine Lay: Creative Writing Adviser & Editor. Josephine, as the Creative Writing Adviser for ‘Black Eyes’ has a major say in who we publish. We look for excellence, creativity and emerging talent. As Editor for ‘Black Eyes’, Josephine works with the author to maintain their voice throughout the editing process. ‘Black Eyes’ is very much a team, and Josephine has her say, as we all do, on most aspects of the production and publishing process.
Jason Conway: Jason of thedaydreamacademy.com is our go to person for cover design and cover completion. Every cover design at ‘Black Eyes’ is a four way dialogue between the Author, Josephine, Peter and Jason. Usually, one of us has an initial idea and then there is always an element of to and fro with the design, or even a re-think, until we are all happy with the concept. Then it’s up to Jason to finish bringing that concept into life as a ‘Black Eyes’ cover..
Please take a look at each of our Authors pages for details of their publications and artworks. Each publication is available to buy in Paperback format from Amazon or by order from your local bookshop. If you like any of the artworks displayed and would be interested in buying a fine art print, or commissioning one of our artists, please get in touch.
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