ILL Anthology is seeking submissions for Vol. 5: Fallow.
The deadline to submit is November 16th at 11:59 PM PST.
Artists of all mediums are welcome to submit work on the theme of “Fallow.”
FALLOW
Rest, dormancy, waiting, recovery, and the things growing underneath the surface even when it looks like nothing is happening.
In agriculture, land is sometimes left fallow not because it is empty or abandoned, but because rest is necessary for renewal. Beneath the surface, the soil is rebuilding, restoring nutrients, and preparing for what comes next.
This volume asks us to consider what it means to pause, to wait, and to honor seasons when growth may not be visible. We’re inviting work that reflects rest, dormancy, stillness, recovery, patience, preservation, and the quiet transformations happening beneath the surface.
Fallow is an invitation to see rest as part of the cycle, not an interruption of it. To recognize that not every season asks us to produce, and that sometimes leaving space untouched is how we prepare for what comes next.
Submission Guidelines:
Submissions not on the proposed themes will not be considered for this volume. Please be aware that any poetry or writings with specific formatting will need to be re-sized for a 5.5" X8.5" page. Our staff does not have the capacity to run the final design individually to each artist. Thank you for understanding.
*******Please note that final typefaces and overall look are at the digression of our design team.**********
Please submit hi-res versions of artwork and photography for print purposes. If your image(s) are not hi-res, this may disqualify your submission. Please reach out to hello@curiouspublishing.org for instruction if you have further questions. Please share access to any drive links to hello@curiouspublishing.org.
Shedding explores the power of transformation through release; what it means to outgrow old skins, stories, and circumstances. This theme centers on renewal of spirit, healing, and the courage it takes to let go of what no longer serves us. In this volume we are inviting work that reflects transition, reclamation, and the quiet strength found in becoming something new. Shedding is honoring endings as sacred thresholds to new beginnings.
The ILL Anthology is a carefully curated collection of poems, photography, artwork and voices honoring the life and lasting contributions of Ignacio Lopez. This anthology brings together voices that reflect his legacy in art, culture, and activism, offering a diverse range of poetic expressions that honor his profound impact on the community.
Through the ILL Anthology, the legacy of Ignacio Lopez is passed on, continuing to inspire and ignite new perspectives in the world of poetry and beyond.
About the Editors
Peter Lechuga is an incendiary wordsmith, community organizer, PlantBasedgod, and Karaoke King who speaks stories of the Xicano experience which touch on topics of love, grief, and resistance. He is a founder and editor of the ILL Poetry and Art Anthology and editor of the International Latino Book Award winning anthology, Together We Rise: Voices from the Frontlines of Freedom. He is the author of the Pushcart Prize nominated poetry collection, Myth Opportunities, and co-author of the collab chapbook, Billionaires for Breakfast. When not molotoving the mic, he can be found hiking in the mountains, spitting freestyles.
Samantha Herrera
With roots from the small city of La Puente hidden somewhere in the San Gabriel Valley, Sammy is a Mexican-American educator, poet, spoken word artist, and zine queen.
She has found her way back into poetry after a long hiatus, fully immersing herself in the community through, open mics, workshops, and poetry slams. She writes on topics such as feminism, racism, working with children, mental health, love, and heartbreak. Sammy is more often a lover than a fighter but will tackle heavy topics with grit and grace through poetry and performances. You can find samples of her work, upcoming events, shows, and digital zines on her website prettypetitepoems.com.
Lopez Urban Farm is a collaborative project in partnership with the Pomona Unified School District. Its mission is to provide a thriving green space for education, community engagement, and food access—all offered freely to the Pomona community. This initiative honors the legacy of Ignacio Lopez, a trailblazing advocate for desegregation and publisher of El Espectador (1933–1960).
Curious Publishing is Non-Profit 501(c)3 Organization, and is 100% artist owned and operated since 2017. We tell the stories of artists of all practices who reside throughout San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and the High Desert Communities through one of a kind, small-run artbooks designed and printed in Southern California. We aim to celebrate the rich diaspora of Inland Empire, Womxn, BIPOC and Queer Artists first and foremost.
Artists, participatory activists, and farmers Stephen Yorba and Bianca Ustrell help cultivate this space, weaving creativity, activism, and sustainability into its foundation. Together, they foster a shared vision of growth, connection, and empowerment.
Shedding explores the power of transformation through release; what it means to outgrow old skins, stories, and circumstances. This theme centers on renewal of spirit, healing, and the courage it takes to let go of what no longer serves us. In this volume we are inviting work that reflects transition, reclamation, and the quiet strength found in becoming something new. Shedding is honoring endings as sacred thresholds to new beginnings.
