The PSN selects

FOR MY September 2020 project, I want to lead writers of all levels to write for young adults ages 12-18.

I want 100 stories, poems, short plays, letters, and essays intended for readers 12 to 18 years old. I want to collect these in the 30 days of September. Which means, the project ends at midnight of September 30, 2020, Philippine time.

There are many wannabe writers, and sometimes, I feel very sad that they don’t get a break. But also, I’m concerned about the scarcity and quality of literature that we have available for young adults. So, I thought, why not merge the two ideas: guide writers on a path to publication, and collect materials for young adult readers.

Thus, the project “The PSN Selects.”

*

“The PSN”, of course, because I will personally choose what I want to collect and publish. I select, I choose. My judgment. My taste. And my mistake alone. 

(I’m taking this personally so you don’t have to. If I don’t personally like what you write, you can just say I have a very poor taste, and we will leave it at that!)

I’m deciding against a jury of readers at this time because that is tedious. And I don’t want to hassle very much other people during this pandemic. I mean, I usually would call on my creative human resource pool for the Peter’s Prize. But this is not a Peter’s Prize contest. No awards, no cash prize, no medallions. 

The only prize is publication, if the goal number of 100 articles is met. I mean, I don’t like to publish a book of 99 pages.

*

“The 100” is my minimum goal, pretty arbitrary. If I have reached my quota by mid-September, what would stop me from asking another 100 until September 30?

I will guide people as they write. I will try to define what I want, or what I expect. But my criteria are as simple as “Would I like my 17-year-old niece to read this? My 13-year-old nephew?”

“Does this say something new and meaningful to a teenager of the 21stcentury?” “Is this beautifully and artistically written and not moralistic or didactic?” “Would my 15-year-old chew toy enjoy reading this? Maybe choose reading this instead of doing a humiliating TikTok challenge?” 

*

I don’t know exactly how, but maybe I will start calling for letter submissions first. I always liked well-written letters. And people can really write about what they know.

Then, essays. Many people blog these days. Can they write with an eye for print publication? Then, maybe stories. Very short stories. Stories that are more than just materials for a social media post. Stories that are worth the paper they are printed on.

Then, maybe poetry. Poetry that are longer than a hugot line. Poetry that are worth reading on a printed page. Poetry that are actually aimed at a target readership (ages 12-18), and at an exacting editor (like The PSN).

Then, maybe short plays. Or, it can be mixed genre starting Week 2. Everything will depend on the first week output. And I will definitely keep my mind, and options, open.

*

If you are not following me on Facebook, that’s fine. But you may want to like The Peter Solis Nery Foundation page. Because that’s where I will post the prompts, the guidelines, etc.

I envision there will be back and forths between us. And right now, I’m thinking private or direct messages. If your submission is so good or so bad, you will know right away. I will tell you, no bullshit.

If it can be revised or polished, if it needs a revision, I will give my recommendations, and wait for your rewrites. I will allow two rewrites. If something cannot be resolved in two rewrites, why waste both our time? Maybe you should just give up, and write something else.

*

If I would be so generous, I think I’ll run some of the excellent submissions under my column in Panay News. You will have your article and byline, but under my column ID. I will write something in the line of “Today, I yield my column space to this piece by (insert your name here)” to introduce you and your piece.

But my ultimate goal is a book of collected literature for young adults.

I really suggest a 500-word limit to your prose pieces. I worked with this form and length before, and so often, that I know it works very well with millennial readers.

As for poetry, 21 lines maximum. For plays, approximately 10-minute playing time.

If you want to be an exception to these length restrictions, just blow me. I mean, blow off my mind with your work.

*

I want to help newbies and wannabes. But it doesn’t mean I will judge with a bias towards them. In fact, I am also inviting veteran, established, and mid-career writers to participate in this project. My loyalty and commitment is not to writers, but to literature. In the end, it doesn’t matter who wrote it. Only whether a piece is well written, or not.

I am a most voracious reader. I have no special respect for so-called “canonical works.” I still cry at silly teenage movies. And that which touches my heart, that which makes me feel nostalgic, hopeful, aspirational, covetous, and envious even, those usually are beautiful stuff that great literature are made of. 

(Create an envy in me. Let me wish I wrote the line or story you have written!) 

I still read Instagram poems. I still watch BL movies. But these past few weeks, I’ve been watching a lot of operas, reading the old Noli and Fili, some chick lit, some YA fiction, some Tang dynasty poetry. 

*

For “The PSN Selects 100 Project”, I can only entertain English, Filipino, and Hiligaynon at this time. And I can only entertain people who can follow instructions, people who are willing to edit or rewrite their work for publication. If you think that your work is written in stone, please do not come near me. You will weigh me down. Stone, baby, stone!

It just hit me (again): Most writers do not see publication (and resort to online posting of their work) because: 1) they are lazy to edit their work, 2) they are too arrogant to edit their work, 3) they are clueless regarding the business and industry of publication. 

Well, hopefully, “The PSN Selects” can help you with those./PN