Book Project: Search and Reunion
Call for submissions from Chinese adoptees
We are excited to announce that Nanchang Project is working to self-publish a book! In addition to fundraising for Nanchang Project, our vision for the book is to shed light on the Chinese adoptee search and reunion experience. Over our successive trips to and networking in China, we have compiled stories and quotes from birth families. We are now preparing a book which will bridge the gap between adoptees and birth families through a selection of work submitted by the adoptee community accompanied by the thoughts and stories of birth families. This final work will be available to purchase with the proceeds going towards the operations of The Nanchang Project, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It costs us around $130 USD to register each new birth family.
We are looking for multimedia submissions like personal quotes (short or long), memoir/reflection pieces, essays, poems, artwork, illustrations, drawings, and photography. Topics for this book should be related to general roots exploration (thoughts on your separation from family, seeking relatives, heritage trips, etc.), origins searching (looking for answers, birth family, etc. through search-specific initiatives at a distance or in-China trips), and/or reunion with biological relatives or Chinese caretakers. If you want to submit general thoughts on your adoption, you may do so through our blog portal.
All work must be original and not previously published. Please limit two submissions per adoptee.
Not sure where to begin and need topic ideas? See a list of suggestions of what we are looking for here, though actual submissions are not limited to these prompts!
Examples of quote formats and extended personal reflections, for use as reference of what we are seeking. here:
Eligibility Criteria:
Only submissions following the criteria listed below will be considered. Please read carefully.
You must be a Chinese adoptee
Your submission written in English
One of the following works related to birth family searching and/or reunion:
Original* personal quote can be short or long (30 - 500 words) in .doc or .docx format. Do not submit in pdf format.
Original* personal reflection that is 5,000 words or fewer, in .doc or .docx format. Do not submit in pdf format.
Original* non-fiction or contemporary fiction prose that is 5,000 words or fewer, in .doc or .docx format. Do not submit in pdf format.
Original* poetry that is no more than 5 pages, in .doc or .docx format. Do not submit in pdf format.
Original* visual art in .jpeg or .png format. Ensure that copied/scanned pieces are clear.
*Original work refers to work that has not been published elsewhere, including but not limited to: print sources (magazine, newspaper, journal), online sources (blog, website, social media).
Please note that not all submitted pieces will be accepted and accepted pieces are subject to revision and edits. We will contact you if your piece is selected and you are welcome to resubmit your piece for future opportunities.
Final Submission Deadline: January 15, 2025
Additional opportunity for adoptees in contact with a foster family, orphanage nanny, or birth family: If you are an adoptee who has located a birth family or caregiver in China (whether your own or someone else’s), we would love to include a quote/story from a member (or more!) of that family. Please invite them to write about their experiences or thoughts about searching/reunion or taking care of a child. We hope to include perspectives from “both sides”—adoptees and families in China. If they would like to participate, the family member can submit their piece to us at books@nanchangproject.com or you may email it on their behalf. Their submission may be in Chinese or English; we have bilingual adoptee volunteers at the ready to translate the original Chinese text.
If there are any questions, please email us at books@nanchangproject.com