Call for Papers

Overview of the book project

The book will be a gender-bending collection of non-fiction work, short fictional stories, poetry and visual art where first-born and parentified daughters put fire, pain and joy to the pen and brush. The selected writers and artists will have the chance to share their experience in one of four formats to best express their lives, struggles, happiness, and advice to fellow first-born and parentified daughters. Proceeds from the book will support daughters facing financial hardship.

Target audience

Our target audience is made up of first-born and parentified daughters who need to feel less alone and more supported in their experience as one of the central pillars to their families. We also target parents, communities and people with an immigrant background living in the West so they may understand their daughters’ struggles.

Who may submit their work?

All first-born or parentified daughters older than 16 living anywhere in the world, part of the global majority. Work is to be submitted in English and we welcome excerpts in native languages with translation. If, however, English isn’t the language authors are most comfortable with, we may explore possibilities of working together to provide linguistic support.

Submission Guidelines

Creatives who are working on the topic and are interested to have their work considered for this book must submit the following to Home Girls Unite at hello@homegirlsunite.com before 14th April 2025.

Non-fiction:

• Title and possible subtitle of the non-fiction work (essay, letter, diary entry etc…)
• An abstract of no more than 250 words summarising the article, highlighting the reason of your writing and what you hope the essay’s impact will be
• Writing sample (1 to 2 pages, Times New Roman, 250-300 words)
• A brief biographical note
• Everything must be turned both in a Word and a PDF document, Times New Roman, size 12, double space. Please also add how a first-born daughter is referred to in your native language (e.g. Ada in Igbo, Sirani in Maninka), if you can.

Short story (fiction):

• Title and possible subtitle of the short story
• An abstract of no more than 250 words summarising the story, highlighting the reason of your writing and what you hope the story’s impact will be
• Writing sample (1 to 2 pages, Times New Roman, 250-300 words)
• A brief biographical not
• Everything must be turned both in a Word and a PDF document, Times New Roman, size 12, double space. Please also add how a first-born daughter is referred to in your native language (e.g. Ada in Igbo, Sirani in Maninka), if you can.

Poetry:

PLEASE NOTE: We are no longer accepting poetry submissions as we have reached our limit. These guidelines are for those who have already submitted.

• Title and possible subtitle of the poem
• An abstract of no more than 250 words summarising and describing the poem, and highlighting the reason of your writing and what you hope the poem’s impact will be
• Writing sample or poems with a similar style, if possible
• A brief biographical note
• Everything must be turned both in a Word and a PDF document, Times New Roman, size 12, double space. Please also add how a first-born daughter is referred to in your native language (e.g. Ada in Igbo, Sirani in Maninka), if you can.

Visual art:

• Title and possible subtitle of the work
• An abstract of no more than 250 words describing the work, and highlighting the reason of your creation and what you hope the work’s impact will be
• A picture of the vision board, similar work (paintings, photos, plastic art, sculptures) or sketch
• A brief biographical note
• Everything must be turned both in a Word and a PDF document, Times New Roman, size 12, double space. Images should be presented as jpg files, with a minimum resolution of 300 dpi, either within the Word and PDF documents or as separate attachments. Please also add how a first-born daughter is referred to in your native language (e.g. Ada in Igbo, Sirani in Maninka), if you can.

Selection process

The team will choose 4 or 5 submissions for each category. If the work is accepted, the creative will be contacted by May 12th 2025. You will need to turn in completed work by August 11th 2025. If selected; here are full guidelines. 

How to apply 

• SUBMIT YOUR WORK
• If you need any support or have any questions, please email us: Hello@homegirlsunite.com