OnlyMums and OnlyDads are going to celebrate our sixth anniversary by publishing an anthology of poems to be called “They don’t fuck you up, your mum and dad”
Running our support organisation for separating /separated mums and dads we have learned that each story is individual. That said, the journey into single-parenthood carries with it some common themes.
These themes move through loss and heartbreak and that accompanying sense of hopelessness and bewilderment through to an eventual ending or, epiphany and a new dawning; that life is offering you a “new beginning”.
ALL mums and dads know that this journey is never smooth. It is signposted with moments of frustration; most of us have used the expression, “I’m taking one step forward and two steps back.”
Regardless of where you are in this journey, we invite you to send us a poem for possible publication. We are looking for poems that touch upon aspects of this journey through divorce, separation and beyond…
We ask that only unpublished poems are submitted together with your contact details. Poems should be sent to poems@onlydads.org
Shan Ellis, Poet, editor and single mum of two, will be working with us as our Editor. We anticipate publishing around 80 poems in the Summer of 2013.
The deadline for submitting your poem (or poems) is 28th February 2013.
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When submitting your poem, we ask you to also send us a signed copy of the short contract below:
The publisher: OnlyMums & OnlyDads Community Interest Company
In signing this contract you are accepting the following terms:
- Acceptance of the proof edited piece of work named…………………………………….to be included in the “OnlyMums and OnlyDads Anthology” and credited to the author named………………………………………….
- Publication to be exclusive to the anthology for two years, at which time non-exclusive publication rights will apply.
- You agree to your work being edited for The OnlyMums and OnlyDads CIC Anthology.
- No Royalties will be paid to the Author. Any Revenue received will cover costs and be put towards the furthering the work of the OnlyMums and OnlyDads Community Interest Company (Company No. 8293558).
Signed by the Author ……………………………………………………………………….
Date ……………………………
Contact details:
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Hard copies (together with a signed copy of the short contract above) can be sent to:
OnlyMums and OnlyDads CIC, 21 Crocadon Meadows, Halwell, TOTNES, Devon. TQ9 7LH
OnlyDads 
Do you think it is it really necesary to use such abusive language in the title?
As a firm of solicitors who have paid to associate ourselves with the OnlyDads site, we’re not entirely comfortable wiht that usage of the ‘F’ word. One has to assume it’s for shock value to grow sales?
Perhaps it’s time to be a little more creative?
Hi Chris – we took to this title as a play on words on what has to be the most famous line in poetry about mums and dads. It is not in any way meant to be offensive.
OnlyMums and OnlyDads are passionate in our core belief that the overwhelming majority of separated and divorced parents try their utmost to support and protect their children during.
Perhaps the title is daring and we hope it will generate some interest and debate – but it’s absolutely not meant to offend.
Bob (OnlyDads)
It certainly has impact! Lots of poetry does, because it comes from a different place in the human psyche. A deeply emotional one.
Would it lose that impact if it were to be called something like ‘Life After Mum and Dad Broke Up’.
It’s just a thought, as it doesn’t predetermine what happens to the child(ren) or how they feel after parents separate.
It’s your baby though OnlyDads & OnlyMums, so pay no heed to me if I’m sticking my nose in where it’s not welcome
🙂
I like it! As modern and ground-breaking as Onlydads and Onlymums! Poetry evening sometime soon perhaps?
Love it. Don’t understand the complaint – if its good enough for senior family judges and Philip Larkin…