Call for Submissions
HAIR
Hair can be a defining part of who we are — tied to our identity, culture, and sense of self. When cancer takes that away, it can feel like losing more than just hair. How does losing, regrowing, or changing your hair during cancer affect how you see yourself? Did it change your relationships with others, your confidence, or even how you moved through the world? We want stories that explore this transformation — whether you found unexpected empowerment, felt a deep loss, or experienced both. What lessons did you learn about yourself and the world through your hair journey? We’re also seeking diverse perspectives on the cultural significance of hair and how cancer has impacted that connection. Wherever you are on your hair journey, we want to hear your stories of change, growth, and the emotions in between. If you did not lose your hair due to cancer treatment and had feelings associated with that experience, your stories are welcome, too! Our guest editor for this issue is Sonya Keshwani, Founder of StyleEsteem.
We accept:
Essays: 650-1200 words
Poems: 50 line maximum
Artwork: high-resolution along with a written Artist Statement
Submission Deadline: Monday, December 30, 2024
Ready to submit your story? Fill out the submission form at the bottom of the Submission page.
🎧Listen to past episodes of The Burn related to the hair theme.
✏️Use writing prompts. Here are some to get the wheels turning and help you find the story you need to tell.
Remember, we are looking for cancer-related stories, so no matter where your story begins, don’t forget to include how your experience of cancer has affected you, and the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Read more writing tips here.
My hair symbolizes… (has this changed through your life or at different ages?)
Write a letter to your hair, expressing your feelings about its loss or transformation. What would you say to it if it could listen?
I felt empowered despite the changes in my hair when…
I cope with the emotional aspects of hair loss by…
What alternatives (hats, wigs, scarves), or lack thereof, have you embraced as forms of self-expression?
Was the experience of losing your hair just as you expected? How was it different?
That time I wore a wig…
Is there a cultural significance of hair in your life?
How has your understanding of beauty and femininity evolved through your cancer experience?
📖 Read past issues of Wildfire Magazine related to hair.
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Body 2024
June/July 2024
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Body 2023
June/July 2023
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"Regaining My Style-Esteem Through Hair Loss" by Sonya Keshwani
Read a featured essay in the 2020 Identity & Aftermath issue.
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"There's a Hairball in My Lunchbox" by Kelsey Bucci
Read a featured essay from the 2018 Parenting issue.