The Deep Dark Soil is a modern anthology of poetry on the topics of healing, mindfulness, grief, inner transformation, and alchemizing darkness into light.
Featuring diverse and powerful voices from the writing and poetry community, the book is a testament to the healing and transformative power of poetry.
The flower’s journey from seed to blossom doesn’t happen overnight. Those colorful, fragrant petals are the final fruits of steady roots grown alone in darkness. The blooming flower is the last thing to be seen, emerging in triumph from the deep, dark, soil.
Poetry is alchemy.
The weight of the human condition can be a lot to bear. We live in unstable times. Many people have been displaced by war or natural disasters, while others struggle with ongoing mental or emotional distress, or generational trauma.Â
How can we help to alleviate the suffering? As poets, we can offer our words – words of hope, healing, and shared humanity. Poetry is a language that penetrates the soul, touches the heart, and opens the mind.Â
The Deep Dark Soil is an anthology of work by the many writers and poets today who bring greater awareness and compassion to the world by alchemizing their darkness into light – inner revolutionaries who rebel not through destruction, but through creativity and healing.Â
My hope is that this book will offer words of comfort, encouragement, and inspiration for the strange and uncomfortable experience we call being human.
Now accepting submissions.
Do you have a poem for this collection? We are seeking a wide range of contributors. Both published and emerging writers will be considered.
Guidelines for submission:
- This book will span a wide range of themes and styles. The overall theme of the book is healing, transformation, and transmuting darkness into light. But this can be interpreted any way you wish.Â
- We will accept more than traditional poetry. Other short-form writing (such as musings, reflections, or "Instagram-style" quotes) are also welcome.
- We will accept both published and unpublished material. If you’ve shared your piece on social media, no problem. If it has previously been published in a book, just make sure you have the rights to republish. (Also, you will retain full rights to your material, and are free to publish elsewhere.)
- The book will feature mostly shorter poems (a single page or less) but you are welcome to submit longer pieces for consideration.Â
- You can submit up to 5 pieces.Â
We aim for a 2026 release (publisher to be selected). Proceeds will go toward Sunflower Foundation in support of nurturing creativity and community.
How to submit:
Please email your submission to: [email protected]
