Bioregionalism

Dwellers in the Land...

“But to become dwellers in the land, to relearn the laws of Gaea, to come to know the earth fully and honestly, the crucial and perhaps only all-encompassing task is to understand place, the immediate specific place where we live.  The kinds of soils and rocks under our feet; the source of the waters we drink; the meaning of the different kinds of winds; the common insects, birds, mammals, plants, and trees; the particular cycles of the seasons; the times to plant and harvest and forage–these are the things that are necessary to know.  The limits of its resources; the carrying capacities of its lands and waters; the places where it must not be stressed; the places where its bounties can best be developed; the treasures it holds and the treasures it withholds–these are the things that must be understood.  And the cultures of the people, of the populations native to the land and of those who have grown up with it, the human social and economic arrangements shaped by and adapted to the geomorphic ones, in both urban and rural settings–these are the things that must be appreciated. 

That, in essence, is bioregionalism.”

Kirkpatrick Sale, Dwellers in the Land, p. 42

Bioregionalism: Themes and Prompts

Thematically speaking, there are two options for submissions to our bioregionalism section: writing about bioregionalism, and taking a bioregional perspective.

We expect most pieces submitted specifically about bioregionalism will be nonfiction, or visual narratives which map out and/or explain a bioregion, but we're certainly open to surprises!

We welcome any submission types listed below which provide a clear bioregional perspective on any subject matter.

Submission Types

For or bioregionalism theme, we accept three different types of work:

1. Fiction
2. Nonfiction 
3. Photo essays and visual narratives

Submission Guidelines

We do not require blinded submissions.  We prefer knowing as much about the author/creator as possible.

Remember, The Upper New Review is a hybrid publication.  We encourage the use of hyperlinks and embeddable media: images, audiovisuals, datasets, visualizations, etc.  (It is our job at The Upper New to convert these embeddable elements to printable ephemera when and if the time comes.)

We welcome simultaneous submissions, but ask that you notify us immediately and withdraw your submission if it is accepted for publication elsewhere.

Prose (fiction and nonfiction)

For prose, the minimum word count for a manuscript is 3000 words.  We consider a short story to be no longer than 20,000 words, so our maximum word count is 20,000 words for fiction and nonfiction manuscripts.

Properly formatted manuscripts, including 12pt font, double-spacing, page numbers, etc.

For nonfiction works, please include properly formatted citations, using whatever system works for you (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.)

.DOCX or .ODT file formats preferred.  

PDF files are acceptable as well, but more difficult to parse in our system.

Note: All fiction works will be considered for Ecotheater script conversion and production.

Photo Essays and Visual Narratives

We accept Photo Essays and Visual Narratives that contain at least one dozen (12) images in a well curated series, with or without accompanying text, depending on the nature of the narrative.

When submitting these narrative works that are primarily a series of visual images (photographs or other forms of visual art or data visualization), your initial submission should take the form of a single PDF file, with the image series and accompanying textual content properly formatted (e.g. horizontal vs. vertical orientation), as if a finished, printed artifact.

Should your work be accepted for publication, our team will reach out with instructions for providing original high resolution images and a text manuscript that will allow us to structure the visual narrative properly for online and print publication, as necessary.

LifePlace

“A bioregion is literally and etymologically a “life-place”—a unique region definable by natural (rather than political) boundaries with a geographic, climatic, hydrological, and ecological character capable of supporting unique human and non-human living communities.  Bioregions can be variously defined by the geography of watersheds, similar plant and animal ecosystems, and related identifiable landforms (e.g., particular mountain ranges, prairies, or coastal zones) and by the unique human cultures that grow from natural limits and potentials of the region.  Most importantly, the bioregion is emerging as the most logical locus and scale for sustainable regenerative community to take root and take place.  In reaction to a globally shallow, consumer-driven, technologically saturated world where humans are alienated from nature and offered simulations of it instead, the bioregion offers an appropriate venue for the natural predisposition toward graceful human life on earth.  The bioregional or “life-place” concept suggests the efflorescence and emplacement of biophilia, our innate affection for the totality of life in all its forms.  Although by no means a unified philosophy, theory, or method, the bioregional approach suggests a means of living by deep understanding of, respect for, and, ultimately, care of a naturally bounded region or territory.”

Robert  Thayer, LifePlace: Bioregional Thought and Practice. (pp. 3-4)

Submissions Policy

Any submission not strictly adhering to the guidelines will be automatically rejected.  Resubmissions adhering to guidelines are allowed.  You will start a new submission and pay the requisite fees.

Unfortunately, The Upper New cannot provide refunds for any submissions.