Call for Essays: A Cup of Culture and a Pinch of Crisis (Tales from a Small Planet: The Food Edition)

Food is an integral part of the cross-cultural experience and our lives abroad. Tales from a Small Planet is soliciting essays for a new book about experiences of facing adversity, finding inspiration, and connecting our lives through our international kitchens. Ideally, each essay will feature an accompanying recipe. Essays should show progression or growth from crisis, adversity or confusion towards acceptance or inspiration, with some connection to food, cooking, or dining while living in a foreign culture.

Please send a query, outline or rough draft by January 15, 2016 to leahautumn@hotmail.com. The editors will assist in revision. Drafts will be due from authors on March 1 and April 1, 2016, with final revisions complete by May 1. Inclusion is subject to editor selection in order to create a coherent and diverse collection of high-quality essays on a wide range of topics.

Strong essays will include the following:

  • The writer is part of the story as someone who is discovering a new culture and building a new life in a new place.
  • The essay is fully developed, with a beginning, middle, and end.
  • Numerous interesting details are included about the place and culture described. Humor is welcome.
  • A relevant recipe is included for readers to try at home.