ELIGIBILITY:
AFABW is dedicated to building a worldwide network of artists who share a vision of creating a better world through aesthetics and is open to artists and art enthusiasts of goodwill from all religions, nationalities, creeds, races and cultures. In short, any and all who desire to help in the creation of a better world are eligible to submit their poetry.

Final Poetry Judging for the next AFABW Poetry Anthology will be by Best-Selling Author, Editor, Founder & President of the Canadian Federation of Poets and Executive Poetry Editor of Artists For A Better World International

TRACY REPCHUK

For additional poetry submission insights, view this 4 1/2 min. video clip of TRACY REPCHUK, being interviewed by George Alger, President of Artists For A Better World International.

THEME:

“Better World Poetry” is the overarching theme that would qualify any submissions for potential inclusion within the AFABW poetry compilation book.

This theme is purposefully broad to encourage submissions, and not to be limiting.

This theme does not suggest poems should convey certain subjects or moods, such as happy or sad: poems may be any mood. It is the poet’s intent and the message received by readers that would represent a message of a “Better World Poetry.”

Any poet whose work is intended to uplift and inspire, and/or convey constructive concepts by whatever means they elect to do so, could be construed to reflect a “Better World Poetry.”

For additional insight, please review the purpose of AFABW, as delineated in the AFABW Mission Statement.

DEADLINE: August 31, 2008

Poets must upload their poetry submissions to the AFABW website by August 31, 2008.

NOTE: Poets should request their FREE “PREMIER” upgrade on the AFABW website no later than AUGUST 24, 2008 – the earlier the better – to ensure enough time for AFABW to process their request, and for the poet to upload their work. (See SUBMIT YOUR POETRY below).

NOTE: All poetry submitted by the deadline will be given due attention. However, earlier submissions will have a benefit of more time for consideration.

SUBMIT YOUR POETRY:

Enter your details to SUBMIT YOUR POETRY!

Enter your details to receive your FREE AFABW “PREMIER” Membership ($75 value) to upload your poetry to the AFABW website.

Then check your email inbox for uploading instructions.

Your email details are strictly confidential!

Name:
Email:
State or Province:
Country:

FINALIST SELECTIONS:

Poets whose work has been selected through a hierarchy of judging processes will be notified by email that one or more of their poems are a FINALIST for the AFABW poetry compilation book. At that time, confirmation of additional information that would potentially be published, such as poet’s bio and website, will be requested by a certain date, which may be a week or two, depending upon the production schedule. Timely confirmation of the poet’s bio, website and any other pertinent information will be a factor in determining the poems that ultimately are published in the book. (The poets’ online biographies will need to be edited and standardized for book publication).

COMPLETED PUBLICATIONS:

The completed poetry compilation book will be available for purchase from the AFABW online store after it is completed later this year.

The AFABW poetry book will be produced by a community of professionals who volunteer their time and resources to help poets and to help forward the purpose of AFABW, which, among others, is to help create a better world via aesthetics. There is no money requested from any poet to submit their work, or to be included in this book or any of the other 2008 AFABW publications. As well, there is no funding for complimentary copies of the book. Poets will have an opportunity to purchase this book for a short time after they are completed, at a specially discounted price, if they wish. The specially discounted price will not be available to the general public. The discount period is usually several weeks and is announced via the AFABW Art Line eNewsletter.

Information about the special discount for poets who are included in the book, as well as other AFABW publications, will be available through the monthly AFABW Art Line eNewsletter (and will not be noted in the online store).

NOTIFICATIONS:
Poets should ensure that their AFABW online contact information is correct and up to date so they may be contacted should their work be selected into any of the publications.

COPYRIGHT:
Poets maintain all original rights to their work. By uploading work to the AFABW website, or in any way providing poetry or any other art to AFABW, poets are granting the right to AFABW to include their poems within the AFABW poetry compilation book (should their poetry be selected) and to use it for promotional purposes.

TERMS OF USE:

Click here for information on the on AFABW website Terms of Use and Privacy Statement.

LAST YEAR’S COMPLETED AFABW POETRY ANTHOLOGY

This is AFABW’s 2007 poetry anthology, Spirit of Humanity, Poetic Visions Of A Better World. The soft-covered book includes 71 global poets and 11 fine artists featured throughout its 145 pages. The Spirit of Humanity embraces the shared ideals of a better world common to mankind through the ages, regardless of how different the specifics of such ideals may be expressed.

Click the book cover for more info and to make a purchase

CONTACT:
Click on “CONTACT US” (Below and/or Top Right) with any questions.

Visit the AFABW store to make a purchase.

AFABW Poetry Editor, Tracy Lynn Repchuk, who is also Founder and President of The Canadian Federation of Poets said, “This book has taken on a life of its own, one I have been very happy to guide and nurture. It includes messages of ‘hope,’ ’solution,’ an ‘appeal to improve,’ ‘helping to make the world a better place’ and ‘doing something about it.’ It is a wonderful experience working directly with such a spirited group of poets and artists with messages to change the landscape of our world.”

Artists For A Better World International thanks all poets who submitted their work to be considered for this year’s poetry anthology and would like to acknowledge the following poets who were selected for publication in this year’s AFABW Spirit of Humanity book.

AFABW POET TITLE

Judy Adams – The Age Before The Woe
George Alger – Daily, You and I
Serge Bach – Pour L’amour De La Mer
Andrew Baile – Navigator’s Luck
Ivy Bigbee – Eyes Like Mine
Dean Blehert – Ghosts
Shantelle S. Brown – The Soul of Man
Joanna Celeste – Freedom’s Song
Dr. T. Ashok Chakravarthy – A New Vision
Sylvia Cumming – Beside The Intersection of Two Freeways
Kent Davis – The Challenge
Neil Davis – The Surprise
Grish Davtian – The Spring And Swallows
Lee Down – Grow Love Grow
Chris Dresser – Beginning
Barbara Anne Dunn – A Billion Brothers
Rosalind Eagle – Know She’s There
Elka Ruth Enola – For My Class
Lyn Evans – Let It Come
Tom Fair – Your Day
Raymond Fenech – The Mountains of Mourne – An Impression
Peggy Fletcher – Mandala One
Peggy Fletcher – The Power and the Glory of Song
Bob Guignon – When Then Becomes Tomorrow
Orania Hamilton – When My Sun Goes Down
Yvonne Harrington – Janet: The Color of Love
Janet Harvey – I Am Woman I Will Not Be Crushed
Amir Hasham – Shall We Just Walk In
Sandy Hendricks – Youth
Jan Houston – Grandmother’s Pearled Amazements
I.B. Iskov – Big Game
Nadja Jahara – A Dream Of You
Virginia Jansen – Seasons
Jerry Keane – All Alone Again
Jeff Kelley – The Great Exploration
Gary Konigsberg – Immortal Chaplains
DM Kraft – A Tomorrow Locked In Yesterdays
Carolyn Krueger – Song of the Soul
Ron Kule – Of the Nature of Mankind
Marcelle LaCour – Dreams Don’t Lie
Clark LaPointe – The Rare Butterfly
John Layton – You Can Go Home Again
Mary Jo Leavitt – A Better Game
Michael Levy – In the Passage of Dream-Time
Louise Marquis – On Survival
Richard Masterton – The Diatribe
Lori A. May – Delayed Gratification
Arthur McKnight – Give Me Peace
Laura Murray – Some One
Laura Nolan – The Road to Brotherhood
Carol Osgood – Woman of Love
Nikhil Parekh – Humanity And Happiness
Tracy Lynn Repchuk – Spirit Of Humanity
Rene Riel – Open Are The Minds
Yvonne Marcerie Riel – The Garden
Stephanie Roberts – Bowed
Richard Royce – The Meaning Of Life
Paul Semenick – Did You?
Thom Severtson – Making Space
Leslie Silton – This Side Up
Cris Staubach – Declaration Of Independence
David Lloyd Stewart – Lucky Boy
Mary Stewart – Song To My Mother
Kevin Taylor – If A Man…
Renee Taylor – The Gift of Courtly Love
Regina Tercero – Who Am I?
Lois Thurman – Interludes
Virginia Watson – The Redemption
Scott Weible – I Petition You
Mari Werner – Waiting for the Muse
Kim Williams – Out Of A World
Carol Worthey – Rain Oh Music Reign

Additionally, the visual artwork of the following fine artists, is also featured throughout the book.
FINE ARTISTS

George Alger
Joanna Celeste
Susan-Angelo DeBay
Lynette Evans
Jennifer Gill
Yvonne Harrington
Jeannette Hay
Petrina Sharp
Dave McCullough
Mark Leavitt
Joanna Celeste
Bruce Silton

Poetry and fine art submissions were accepted at no cost from all poets and fine artists.

Artists For A Better World International is dedicated to building a worldwide network of artists who share a vision of creating a better world through aesthetics and is open to artists and art enthusiasts of goodwill from all religions, nationalities, creeds, races and cultures. In short, poetry submissions were welcomed from any and all poets, the world over, who desire to help in the creation of a better world.

Artists For A Better World International has a purpose to raise the awareness of worldwide artists about using their creative powers to benefit mankind by leading the way to a better world and by supporting like-minded public benefit organizations that advocate humanitarian benevolence.

We accomplish our aims by cultivating international artistic participation in constructive, inspirational and creative projects as well as working hand-in-hand with other community advancement organizations.

AFABW activities include art and social betterment projects and/or events conceived to foster heightened awareness with and through art and artists, to help build a better world through aesthetics.

Artists For A Better World International is dedicated to building a worldwide network of artists who share a vision of creating a better world through aesthetics and is open to artists and art enthusiasts of goodwill from all religions, nationalities, creeds, races and cultures. In short, poetry submissions were welcomed from any and all poets, the world over, who desire to help in the creation of a better world.

AFABW Poetry Editor, Tracy Lynn Repchuk, who is also Founder and President of The Canadian Federation of Poets said, “This book has taken on a life of its own, one I have been very happy to guide and nurture. It includes messages of ‘hope,’ ’solution,’ an ‘appeal to improve,’ ‘helping to make the world a better place’ and ‘doing something about it.’ It is a wonderful experience working directly with such a spirited group of poets and artists with messages to change the landscape of our world.”

Artists For A Better World International thanks all poets who submitted their work to be considered for this year’s poetry anthology and would like to acknowledge the following poets who were selected for publication in this year’s AFABW Spirit of Humanity book.

AFABW POET TITLE
Judy Adams – The Age Before The Woe
George Alger – Daily, You and I
Serge Bach – Pour L’amour De La Mer
Andrew Baile – Navigator’s Luck
Ivy Bigbee – Eyes Like Mine
Dean Blehert – Ghosts
Shantelle S. Brown – The Soul of Man
Joanna Celeste – Freedom’s Song
Dr. T. Ashok Chakravarthy – A New Vision
Sylvia Cumming – Beside The Intersection of Two Freeways
Kent Davis – The Challenge
Neil Davis – The Surprise
Grish Davtian – The Spring And Swallows
Lee Down – Grow Love Grow
Chris Dresser – Beginning
Barbara Anne Dunn – A Billion Brothers
Rosalind Eagle – I Know She’s There
Elka Ruth Enola – For My Class
Lyn Evans – Let It Come
Tom Fair – Your Day
Raymond Fenech – The Mountains of Mourne-An Impression
Peggy Fletcher – Mandala One
Peggy Fletcher -The Power and the Glory of Song
Bob Guignon – When Then Becomes Tomorrow
Orania Hamilton – When My Sun Goes Down
Yvonne Harrington – Janet: The Color of Love
Janet Harvey – I Am Woman I Will Not Be Crushed
Amir Hasham – Shall We Just Walk In
Sandy Hendricks – Youth
Jan Houston – Grandmother’s Pearled Amazements
I.B. Iskov – Big Game
Nadja Jahara – A Dream Of You
Virginia Jansen – Seasons
Jerry Keane – All Alone Again
Jeff Kelley – The Great Exploration
Gary Konigsberg – Immortal Chaplains
DM Kraft -A Tomorrow Locked In Yesterdays
Carolyn Krueger – Song of the Soul
Ron Kule – Of the Nature of Mankind
Marcelle LaCour – Dreams Don’t Lie
Clark LaPointe – The Rare Butterfly
John Layton – You Can Go Home Again
Mary Jo Leavitt – A Better Game
Michael Levy – In the Passage of Dream-Time
Louise Marquis – On Survival
Richard Masterton -The Diatribe
Lori A. May – Delayed Gratification
Arthur McKnight – Give Me Peace
Laura Murray – Some One
Laura Nolan – The Road to Brotherhood
Carol Osgood – Woman of Love
Nikhil Parekh – Humanity And Happiness
Tracy Lynn Repchuk – Spirit Of Humanity
Rene Riel – Open Are The Minds
Yvonne Marcerie Riel – The Garden
Stephanie Roberts – Bowed
Richard Royce – The Meaning Of Life
Paul Semenick – Did You?
Thom Severtson – Making Space
Leslie Silton – This Side Up
Cris Staubach – Declaration Of Independence
David Lloyd Stewart – Lucky Boy
Mary Stewart – Song To My Mother
Kevin Taylor – If A Man…
Renee Taylor – The Gift of Courtly Love
Regina Tercero – Who Am I?
Lois Thurman – Interludes
Virginia Watson – The Redemption
Scott Weible – I Petition You
Mari Werner – Waiting for the Muse
Kim Williams – Out Of A World
Carol Worthey – Rain Oh Music Reign

Poetry submissions were accepted at no cost to all of the submitting poets and the selected poets are now eligible for an online AFABW “Associate” membership, also at no cost.

Artists For A Better World International has a purpose to raise the awareness of worldwide artists about using their creative powers to benefit mankind by leading the way to a better world and by supporting like-minded public benefit organizations that advocate humanitarian benevolence.

We accomplish our aims by cultivating international artistic participation in constructive, inspirational and creative projects as well as working hand-in-hand with other community advancement organizations.

AFABW activities include art and social betterment projects and/or events conceived to foster heightened awareness with and through art and artists, to help build a better world through aesthetics.

There is no submission fee.

When the book is completed it will be available for purchase online in the AFABW “Store.” (You may currently view Bamboo Souls, the first AFABW poetry compilation which is available for sale in the AFABW online store which includes the work of 47 poets from 9 countries).

Submit your poetry today!

Eligibility:

AFABW is dedicated to building a worldwide network of artists who share a vision of creating a better world through aesthetics and is open to artists and art enthusiasts of goodwill from all religions, nationalities, creeds, races and cultures. In short, any and all who desire to help in the creation of a better world are eligible to submit their poetry.
Any poem, any length that represents some element of The Spirit of Humanity.
Submitted work must be done by a single author.
Submitted work must be unpublished elsewhere; simultaneous submits not allowed.
If in another language, an English version must also accompany it.
The judges’ decision as to a poem’s inclusion is binding.
Poetry must meet selection criteria of high imagery, solid metaphors and quality work: Poetry that takes the poet to a higher level of writing, and touches the reader.
Note: ‘Not’ all submissions will be accepted, publication is based on the selection criteria.
Poets should be subscribed to the free monthly AFABW Art Line eNewsletter to hear news and updates on the poetry book and other AFABW projects. To subscribe, click on “FREE” in the top right and enter your email, state (or province) and country.

Senior Judge:

Editor – Tracy Lynn Repchuk – President of the Canadian Federation of Poets

Submission Details:

Submit up to 3 poems via email to poetry@artistsforabetterworld.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Include “AFABW Anthology” in the subject line.
Present your poetry submissions in the body of your email (and you are welcome to include a Word attachment if you wish – but still include the poems within the email body so that your poetry will still be considered even in the event that the attachment gets dropped or corrupted).
Include your name, address and phone number in the email.
Poets need to register online with AFABW (there are several membership levels, including FREE, which is all that is required for registration). Click on “Members Login” (on the left) to do so.
You will be notified via email they have arrived, and if/when they are accepted.
The Editor will contact you with any necessary changes or suggestions.
Once completed, you will be asked to view a final version of your work for approval.
As this poetry book is purely a labor of love for the volunteer staff involved with its production, and since there is nominal funding for the book, there will be no complimentary books available. However, those poets whose work is selected for publication in this book will be offered a substantial discount to the book for a limited time after its initial publication. Additionally, poets whose work is selected into the book will be eligible for an online AFABW “Associate” membership ($20.00 value) at no cost.

Anthology Timeline:

Poetry deadline is April 1, 2006.*
Qualifying poems announced via email by May 1, 2006.
Final poetry selected and announced by June 1, 2006.
The completed book is scheduled to be released at the AFABW 6th annual Arts Festival in Hollywood at the end of the summer, 2006. Every effort will be made so the book may be available at that time, however, depending upon production processes including: poetry selection, editing, art, layout, design, poets sign off, and proofing, the release date may be subject to delay. When released, the book will concurrently be available within the Artists For A Better World International online Store. The exact release date, and other developments, will be announced in the monthly AFABW Art Line eNewsletter as well as on the AFABW website.

*It is intended that the deadline will be honored. However, in the event that the poetry submissions become too voluminous, the deadline may be shortened at any time. Please submit your poems as soon as possible!

Artist For A Better World fine artist and poet, Leslie Silton, hosted the event and said: “Poetry is the most amazing stuff. A poet and a poem ‘in the groove’ are one of the most wonderful and exquisite experiences another person can partake of in life.”

AFABW Poet, fine artist, vocalist, arts educator and social betterment advocate, Carmelita Pittman, was amongst the featured poets. Among the poems she presented were Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s, “How Do I Love Thee?” and Bob Dylan’s “Blowing in the Wind.” She expressed that “We, as Artists For A Better World, hold a responsibility to help in the creation of a better world and to inspire others to help in whatever ways they may.”

The following poets participated in the readings: Alice Pero, Theresa Antonia, Shirley Windward, Russell Salamon, Don Campbell, Carmelita Pittman, Debbie Shapiro, Ross Cantalupo and Peter Ludwin.

A portion of the proceeds from poetry book sales and the reading benefited The Way to Happiness Foundation.

This year, Artists For A Better World International released a poetry compilation book entitled Bamboo Souls, which features 47 poems from poets in 9 countries.

By uplifting the culture through aesthetics, by raising the awareness of artists and others about the power the artist has in forwarding social betterment and by working with and supporting community service activities, Artists For A Better World and its members are making and inspiring positive changes in society.

Poets of any religion, nationality, creed, race or culture were invited to contribute to the creation of a poetry compilation book project based upon a theme of “peace, tranquility or harmony.” The 47 poems selected from poets in 9 countries offer a diverse insight into the way artists of many ages, shapes, sizes, viewpoints and geographies may share a common theme of considering a better world through the words of poetry.

In a society where war, violence, crime, hate, insanity, and aberrations consume the airwaves, it is a miracle that we ever pick up a book. Especially those that are tucked away in the far reaches of a store and invite you to enter worlds filled with fantasy, love, romance, delights, and dreams.

As the Canadian Federation of Poets President and Founder, I have personally watched a trend that pushed poetry back to the coffee houses and educational institutions where clusters gather, from the global and national cohesive cord that it should be. From this unnerving discovery I put into motion a campaign that would eliminate the misconceptions of this enlightening medium, and return it to prominence. While on this journey I made some observations that poetry could remedy with the proper education and execution.

From my experiences teaching poetry as a featured speaker in classrooms ranging from grades one to college level, along the way the desire and need for poetry was gradually eliminated. At the childhood stage they are riveted to the comfort and mastery of nursery rhymes. At the youth level, pre-high school students use poetry as a coping mechanism. They write about their surroundings, feelings, emotions, and more importantly, clearly inscribed angst, anger, and the betrayal they start to feel about life. They write, whether it stem from a broken relationship, breakdown in communication with society, or an accumulation of apathy for the lack of power they possess to change their environment.

So how can we attack this decline in poetry? Highschools and education systems are a good place to start. The brilliance of Shakespeare has been used to alienate more passionate writers than inspire. What we need to do is reconnect youth with poetry, which will continue the evolution and appreciation through adulthood for the desire and necessity of poetry in their lives. In-depth reviews of great literary figures, studying scenes, reciting soliloquies and dissecting lines accomplishes a contra-survival realm that invalidates what students were creating (if you don’t write like Shakespeare – you’re not a poet), and erects a barrier that could take generations to remove. We seem dedicated to teaching literature, let’s just expand this by demonstrating poetry using the hundreds of ways to create a poem, from Haiku, to Cinquain, to Prose, to whichever method appeals to the student. Read excerpts from Shakespeare, or Dickens, or Poe, and even some living poets while we are at it – award winners they can relate to of what works today. We could recite the popular songs of the youth, so they relate to poetry always. Perhaps spending less time on literary analysis, and more on performing, public reading, writing, and articulating would not only promote its appeal, but help to instill confidence and communication skills for all situations. We would get far more dedicated advocates, far more passionate people about the importance of delivering a message, expressing a thought, providing an empathetic and cathartic release, and start to create a mankind that uses words and less extreme methods of coping with change and chaos.

With the next generation in place understanding the power of poetry they could venture outside their confined worlds, and address the more important tasks at hand. Creating a world where every time a doctor prescribed a pill, or someone purchased over the counter medications, we would recommend a particular poem instead. Most of our email, television and radio commercials, billboards, newspapers, make mention of drugs, herding us into becoming a nation of junkies. The exposure is reducing the lethal effects and stigma, and pharmaceutical giants are using this window to assault us with an endless stream of cures for what ails us, or could ail us, or will ail us if we don’t take it now. With twelve million children forced to take drugs for ‘abnormally high levels of activity’, if we don’t introduce new methods of coping soon, we’ll all be defenseless.

Let’s use poetry as a prescription to life’s aberrations instead. A bit of Adams for allergy relief, soothing Browning for that back ache, Chaucer for colds, Keats for ulcers, Parker for that migraine, Shelley for blood pressure, Yeats for stress, and the list goes on.

Amidst these profound words is a better solution. Not only would we revere poetry for what it is, a vital part of our culture, but it could provide a healthy alternative to our ill-fated practices and future.

So all in favor of Poetry Practitioners say “AYE”. Increase the health and welfare of mankind with this new technology, and reach for the Poet’s Handbook instead of a pill.

The event was kicked off with well-known, bi-coastal Poet, Alice Pero, who spends much of her time bringing her poetry and poetry books to both coasts America.

Famous Native American actor, George Randall, appeared and thrilled the crowd with his own readings.

Approximately fifteen different “voices,” read their favorite pieces to an appreciative and growing crowd. Included was the poetry debut of an 87-year woman who had just started writing poetry only a year ago, whereupon she wowed the crowd with her own masterpiece.

Poetess and workshop volunteer, Lois Jones, said, “I had a friend of mine come and read three of my poems. She did a beautiful job and in fact did such a great job on the last poem, ‘The Kiss,’ that a nearby painter/sculptor jumped up and said she would like to trade one of her pieces of art for my poem!”

Coordinator for this event, Leslie Silton, remarked: “In these days of hustle and bustle, it becomes increasingly more important, and more relevant, to have a safe haven in which to share the hard-won poems one digs out of one’s psyche. Somehow, poetry is one of the most intimate of arts — it burrows under the skin, it cools, flames, itches, demands — it’s a ‘high maintenance art’. You can’t be a spectator in the presence of poetry. I always feel the audience is on my side at these AFABW Poetry Readings. Nothing so pleases or makes my heart leap when the people in this particular audience laugh, smile, look inward a moment and nod, join in.”

The Poets Workshop was a high-spirited event where poets came together in mutual interest and respect. With pens poised at the ready, they each got busy creating new poetry right on the spot.

Enthusiasm ran high throughout the “Round Robin” workshop as the poets created and then read their new poems aloud to the rest of the group. It was truly an inspiring evening of empowerment for these visionaries of the spoken word.

Award-winning Writer/Poet, Becky Mate, was a participant and said, “Poetry is a way we can pass on the important parts of our culture such as beauty, honesty, spirituality, vision and heroism. I really enjoyed the creative spontaneity of this event.” Becky thanked Leslie Silton for putting on the workshop and said she was looking forward to attending next year’s Poetry Workshop at the AFABW Arts Festival.

Artists For A Better World is dedicated to building a worldwide network of artists who share a vision of creating a better world through aesthetics. This 4th annual Artists For A Better World Arts Festival is an opportunity for artists and art enthusiasts to come together for a 5-day celebration of poetry, song, dance, concerts, visual art, workshops, seminars, camaraderie, networking and awards.