Rhubarb Magazine, a publication of the Mennonite Literary Society in Canada, invites submissions of previously unpublished work in 3 genres–fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, and also hybrid genres–for a special issue on American Mennonite Writing, guest edited by Ann Hostetler. Mennonite is broadly defined here as denoting some cultural or religious connection with Anabaptist thought and practice–either by virtue of birth or choice. American is defined by citizenship, permanent residence, or immigration to the US.

Deadline: October 1, 2009.

Electronic submissions only: Send attachments as .doc or .rtf files to anneh@goshen.edu. If for some reason this address does not work, use ann.hostetler@gmail.com. Inquiries are also welcome at this email address.

Open Topic: All submissions on any topic will be considered, but there is also a special theme (see below)

Theme for Issue: A significant portion of the issue will be centered on the theme of “Questions of Travel and Homecoming.” Borrowing a phrase from the American poet Elizabeth Bishop, this theme draws on the notion that we often must travel to figure out who we are and where home is located. It also gives a nod to the reality of Mennonite identity as diasporic, even as Mennonites in different countries participate in a national literary and publishing scene. Of course, the notion of Americans at home and abroad raises questions of the post-colonial condition,20imperialism, globalization, and cultural appropriation as well as questions of hybridity, boundary crossing, engagement with others, and dialog. The idea is to generate some creative tension and possible points of dialog in this issue devoted to “American” Mennonite writing.