Dialect Anthology 2022
Is there such a thing as ‘rural’ writing? 'Dialect’ refers to a form of language which is peculiar to a specific region or social group. When I set Dialect up as an organisation, I wanted to carve out a space for un- or lesser-heard voices and provide a platform that would value work that explored geographical hinterlands and lives less examined - though I didn’t expect those voices to necessarily cohere as a group. It was, without question, a political act, that impulse to shine a light on the rural experience which I felt was underappreciated. And it was a political act to try to bring great quality writer development to a place which had less of these opportunities than the urban centres. It is a work in progress.
If there is such a thing as rural writing, it is represented in our latest anthology. A focus on place is a strong feature of this work and yes, there are sheep. There is even actual dialect. But there is also housing poverty and homelessness, global heating, displacement, banshees, hauntings, hilarity, figs, lemons and pheasants. There are think pieces on the writing life, from Dialect’s weekly guest blog series which has taken off this year, providing insight into the work that is to be done by the writer beyond the page. A range of voices and stories rub along together – from established and emerging writers - creating new resonances as they come into conversation when collected in these pages.
Conversation is an expression and exchange of ideas between people. From conversor - to abide, keep company with. Here lies my hope for this anthology – to put writers and our growing community into conversation with one another – to break silence, to spar, to coalesce and bring together, that we might strengthen our bonds and grow at once. Heartfelt thanks go to the contributors who have trusted their beautiful words to this anthology and to Philip Rush for his superb typesetting work. Though we may be scattered across our respective rural landscapes, in a world that has unarguably darkened this year, I dare to suggest that community is our greatest strength and our shrewdest aspiration.
The Anthology is now available to preorder at the Dialect shop. Copies will be available from 21st December when we will wish it on its way at our solstice drinks gathering.
If you'd like to find out what's happening at Dialect in early 2023, check out our courses and workshops here.
