Writers of the Night Sky

When the great earth, abandoning day, rolls up the deeps of the heavens and the universe, a new door opens for the human spirit, and there are few so clownish that some awareness of the mystery of being does not touch them as they gaze. 

Henry Beston The Outermost House (1928)

Call for Entries

Join us for the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition’s new literary component of the 2019 Celebration of the Night. We are issuing a call for submissions of original short writings inspired by starry skies. Any theme relating positive human connection or inspiration arising from starry skies and the universe are welcome, though preference will be granted to submissions which are local specific (Flagstaff and Northern Arizona). If chosen, you will be invited to read your submission at the event, 25 May 2019, 6pm at Coconino Center for the Arts, Flagstaff.

Prose and Poetry will be accepted. There is no specific length limitation, but preference will be given to pieces which can be read aloud in 15 minutes or less (about 1800 words) . We prefer writing that connects readers to the experience of the tangible night sky rather than space themes, sci-fi or fiction.

Please submit by March 31st to cotn (at) flagstaffdarkskies.org with the subject:  WRITERS OF THE NIGHT SKIES SUBMISSION LAST NAME FIRST NAME. Any attached file must be in .txt, .rtf, .doc, .docx, or .odt format. Submissions will be juried by Paul Bogard, Katie King, Ky J. Dio and Lance Diskan. You will be notified if your piece has been selected by April 15.

  • Paul Bogard is associate professor of English at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where he teaches creative nonfiction and environmental literature. He is author of several books, including The End of Night: Searching for Natural Darkness in an Age of Artificial Light (Little, Brown, and 4th Estate/Harper Collins).
  • Katie King is a Flagstaff writer, Flagstaff LIVE columnist, and author of the poem I Think I Know How The World Works and the book The Breath Between Whirlscapes And Landwinds.
  • Ky J. Dio is a host and Administrator for Juniper House Readings, a Slam Poet, a facilitator of creative writing workshops, and the author of 5 chapbooks. She makes recycled acrylic and spray paint art, and works as a Jewelry Specialist at a pawn shop.
  • Lance Diskan is author of The Night Sky in Human Culture (M.A. Thesis, NAU, 2010), and a founding member of the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition.

To celebrate, promote, and protect the glorious dark skies of Flagstaff and northern Arizona.