Modern Lao literature since 1975

Back in 2005,The Laos Cultural Profile was created in partnership with the Ministry of Information and Culture of Laos with financial support from the Rockefeller Foundation. It featured a number of good leads, including this overview of modern Lao literature since 1975:

http://www.culturalprofiles.net/laos/directories/laos_cultural_profile/-962.html

Highlights include the name of several prominent writers in Laos which provides a good start to consider when doing cross-cultural exchanges, but to be honest, given some of the errors they made regarding 'prominent' Lao painters abroad, this information may need to be updated and examined by Lao American writers in the very near future, especially as efforts are made to connect with younger emerging voices in the community.

A quick history of Lao literature

When you are looking at nearly 600+ years of a literary tradition, that's a lot of ground to cover. In English, one of the best places to start can be found in the introductory essay of scholar Peter Koret that served as the forward to the classic short story collection, Mother's Beloved (Phaeng Mae) by Outhine Bounyavong.

This essay is currently archived online at: http://www.seasite.niu.edu/lao/laoliterature/Introduction_to_Lao_lit.htm and is strongly encouraged as essential reading for anyone with an interest in the journey of Lao poetry, short stories and novels. Peter Koret has recently been finishing a number of additional essays which will hopefully be available to the public soon.

Call for Submissions: Lao American Speculative Arts Anthology

Approaching 40 years in the US, we know Lao Americans love science fiction, fantasy, horror, myths and legends. Now we're looking your stories and art for the first full-length anthology of Lao American speculative art and literature.


Whether it's a story of Lao astronauts in a distant future, nak or phi in ancient Lan Xang, the missing adventures of Sithong or Xieng Mieng, or wild weretigers and kinnali in Laotown, we want to hear about it!

Tales of time-traveling silapin, Lao cyborgs and superheroes, or visitors to haunted villages are all encouraged and welcomed.

illustration courtesy of Nor Sanavongsay

Send us your best original stories between 250 to 5,555 words in length. We also accept up to 10 poems, up to 255 words per poem. For longer or shorter works, please inquire. We are also looking for examples of visual art: painting, illustrations, mixed media, photography, etc. Visual artists can submit between 5 to 10 pieces. Don't send originals, but high quality digital files.

All genres and sub-genres, such as steampunk, are welcomed, but no "fan fiction" or use of characters and settings you do not have the rights to. Work should have a reasonably clear Lao connection.

This anthology is requesting one-time electronic and print rights, after which further publication rights revert to the creator. A physical contributor's copy and e-book copy are provided and a small stipend. Approximately 20 artists and writers will be selected for this project.

To Submit:
We accept RTF files by e-mail only. Put the words: LAO ANTHOLOGY in the subject line with your name. Double spaced manuscript in Times New Roman. Use italics, not underlines when necessary. Use of Laoglish is fine and encouraged, but absolutely NO italicizing Lao words.  Good grammar and spelling appreciated. No simultaneous submissions.

Have your contact information of the first page of the manuscript including e-mail address. Visual art submissions should be able to be reproduced well in black and white and sent as a digital file at 600 dpi or higher. Portrait orientation preferred, but landscape orientation accepted.

Deadline Extended to: March 1st, 2012. If you need more time, send us an e-mail of what you'd like to submit and how much time you need to complete it.

Send submissions or additional questions to: Thaoworra@gmail.com or twitter @thaoworra.