Children invited to document their Covid-19 experiences for publishing

A publishing company wants to hear from children about their experiences of the “unequalled, very rare event” which is Covid-19.

Irvine Green, publishing editor at Third Wave Publishing, explained they want to collect as many stories as possible about how children have experienced the Covid-19 State of Disaster and lockdown.

“Do they have views, feelings or something they would like to leave for all eternity about this rare event in their and everyone else’s lives?” he said. For example, frustrations, feelings, life problems, family problems or a letter they want to address to the president – they can write about anything Covid-19 related.”

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The storytelling can be presented in the following formats (only one item per format permitted):

1. A short story of 150 words maximum.

2. Poetry: Three verses at most, of up to six lines per verse.

3. A comment piece.

4. One liners: As if writing an SMS to a friend.

5. A simple grey pencil or black pen drawing: For example, a comic style or a drawing without words.

This project is open to all South African children from Grades one to 12, whether living in South Africa or in another country. An e-book entitled Covid-19 Anthology will feature the 30 best in each format and be published online later this year. The closing date for submissions is September 30, which may be extended if the State of Disaster is again extended.

Submissions must include: Author’s name, email address, child’s age and city/town where they live.

The project will soon have its own email address and Instagram, Twitter and Facebook pages.

In the meanwhile, submissions can be sent to irvsnews@gmail.com

“We encourage all parents or teachers reading this to pass it onto as many children as possible and encourage them to take part in the Covid-19 Anthology project,” Green said.

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