The InsideOut StoryLab Presents: Boundaries and Bridges
The InsideOut StoryLab: Boundaries and Bridges is a story collection from both incarcerated and unconfined writers to be distributed by portable story dispensers inside and outside of carceral settings in Alaska. The story collection will be edited by Alaska-based writer and editor Jaclyn Bergamino, current editor of Marrow Magazine, who has taught creative writing for incarcerated students in Alaska. Fairbanks-based artist Naomi Hutchquist, who has previously created award-winning animation for LION, will assist with art and editorial work with comic-based submissions. The project is overseen by Sarah Stanley, associate professor of English at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and founder of StoryLab.
Volume 1 now published!
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Boundaries and Bridges is a story collection from both incarcerated and unconfined writers to be distributed by portable story dispensers inside and outside of carceral settings in Alaska. Our inaugural collection theme, Boundaries and Bridges, invites writing and art that explores connection and disconnection. We are currently accepting submissions of stories, comics, creative nonfiction, and poems, written and image-based, that cross boundaries and build bridges between inside and outside of jails and prisons in Alaska.
Submissions must be previously unpublished, online or in print, including on personal websites. Work must be a maximum of 7500 characters, including spaces (approximately 1750 words). For formatting poetry, keep in mind that the story dispensers print on paper that can hold only 40 characters per line. Comics will be printed in grayscale. Final submissions are due July 31, 2023.
Boundaries and Bridges is supported by The Learning Inside Out Network (LION), an Alaska-based grassroots group that increases access to quality participation in artistic exchanges for people inside and out of the carceral system. Incarcerated writers will be offered trauma-informed writing curriculum and feedback to help develop their work for publication. Handwritten submissions are welcome.
This collection will be published through StoryCube dispensers, a portable printer from global publisher Short Édition, that offers stories at the push of a button.
Submissions can be submitted by email or to our mailing address.
Email address: uaf-lion@alaska.edu
Mailing address:
Boundaries and Bridges
℅ University of Alaska Fairbanks
Department of English
P.O. Box 755720
Fairbanks, AK 99775-5720
More information can be found on our website: https://lion.open.uaf.edu/bnb
EDITORIAL TEAM
Jaclyn Bergamino
Story Editor
Naomi Hutchquist
Visual Editor
Readers
Dimitrios Alexiadis
Jess Angel
Jennifer Jolis
Lesa Meath
Marsha Oss
Kassie Sarker
Meryem Udden
Want to join the LION editorial team as a reader?
Join the LION editorial team to participate in first round reviews of submissions, as well as preparing feedback for every incarcerated writer. To join, fill out the form at the link below.
Downloadable Curriculum Packets
OUR CURRICULUM
We support our authors with guidance on the writing and comic composition process through the asynchronous curriculum. Download our full curriculum or select a specific genre below. Each packet includes craft tips, examples, and writing prompts.
News
From Catharsis to Connection
The Learning Inside Out Network (LION) supports education and creative collaboration between
people who are inside and outside of Alaska’s jails and prisons. In celebration of Second Chance Month,
come to Breadline on April 19th for LION’s publication party.
A light lunch will be provided (while supplies last) and stories will be shared from our inaugural story
collection, Boundaries and Bridges. There will be stations where participants will be encouraged to
engage in a multitude of literary activities, including but not limited to zine crafting, free writing,
letter writing, and reading works by those on the “inside.”
Participants are welcome, but not required, to share their experience with the criminal legal system
and be part of a larger discussion. Visit lion.open.uaf.edu for more information about the University of
Alaska Fairbanks Learning Inside Out Network and #reentrymatters for more details about Second
Chance Month.
WHERE:
Bread Line
507 Gaffney Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99701
WHEN:
April 9, 11AM-2PM
Learning Inside Out Network to receive $10,000 grant from National Endowment for the Arts
The Learning Inside Out Network is pleased to announce it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts to receive a Challenge America award of $10,000. This grant will support InsideOut StoryLab: Boundaries and Bridges.