Media and social perceptions do not truly grasp the intimate tale of an individual who has experienced homelessness. My name is Nicole Ilyin and throughout this past year, I have been able to experience first-hand accounts of those currently or previously living with homelessness. The idea behind this book is to create a collection of real-life experiences written by individuals who have somehow been touched by homelessness. The book will serve as a way to disseminate the voice of the marginalized, disrupt preconceived notions on what homelessness ‘is’ or ‘looks’ like, and pay homage to a beautiful community that has impacted my life, and the lives of so many others. Accepted, voluntary submissions will be used to help raise awareness over this pressing issue. Funds generated by the book will be used to aid those experiencing homelessness.

       Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns, or need any sort of assistance regarding a submission. I will do my best to help. Contact me at: projectbookcint@gmail.com

I am also collecting donations to help support homeless populations and help with the expenses related to the book at https://gf.me/u/ybjwab

You are 18 Years of Age or Older and:

· Currently or has experienced homelessness, or

· Have been impacted by homelessness, or

· Works with homeless populations

 

Guidelines for Written Work:

· Writing prompt: select an experience that has profoundly changed or impacted you. The experience must somehow be related to the topic of homelessness. You can choose to write about one specific experience in your life, a string of events, etc.

          o You have full creative capacity; submissions can be included as images, drawings, poems, paintings, etc.

 

Submission:

· Length is up to you, suggested length between 2,000-6,000 words

· Requires a title (please do not use any subheadings throughout your work)

· Do NOT use real names in your submission. You can choose to keep your real name, but you cannot use the real names of other people in your life or experience (this is a legal issue, so please be mindful)

 

Options for Submission:

· Google Document

· Microsoft Word Document

· PDF

· A voice recording that I can transcribe and send to you for approval

· Written by hand and sent as images or picked up

· Set up a video (ex. Zoom) or in-person meeting where I can record your submission. Your submission will then be transcribed and sent to you for approval

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at projectbookcint@gmail.com. Thank you for your participation.