Willow Books is accepting submissions for Volume 2 of Black Fire This Time (2024), the acclaimed anthology series on the history and legacy of the Black Arts Movement. The theme of this series is "Black is Beautiful, Black is Powerful, Black is Home, as penned by Dr. Kim McMillon, Editor.

Volume 2 will continue to showcase the works of multiple generations, from the founders of the movement to contemporary writers in the tradition. Hailed as the “New Golden Age of Black Writing,” the Black Fire This Time series is an unprecedented collection of the best in writing by black writers. Featured writers in the series include Sonia Sanchez, Ishmael Reed, Amiri Baraka, Gwendolyn Brooks, Lucille Clifton, 2023 American Book Award winner Everett Hoagland and over 100 other poets, dramatists and fiction writers from across the country. The Editor-in-Chief is Dr. Derrick Harriell, Director of the African American Studies Department, University of Mississippi. Volume 2 will be distributed by the University of Mississippi Press.

Genres accepted for Volume 2 include: poetry, fiction, essays and drama. Contributors whose works are accepted will receive $75 and one complimentary copy of the book upon publication. 

Manuscripts should be standard format pdfs with the following word/page counts: Poetry, up to 3 poems, Fiction, Essays and Drama up to 3,500 words. Submissions should include a cover letter stating the writer is African American. 

The deadline for submission is December 15, 2023. The submission fee is $20. All submissions are considered final, no revisions. The committee reserves the right to reject a manuscript. Contributors may be invited to participate in national readings.