Joining The QUIP Youth Book Project

I recently applied to and was accepted to be a part of the editorial board for the upcoming Quaker Youth Book Project, a group that operates as a part of Quakers United in Publication (and here). The project will:

feature short non-fiction prose, poetry and visual art by international young Quakers ages 15-30 from all branches of the Religious Society of Friends, including programmed, unprogrammed, conservative and evangelical traditions, from meetings and churches affiliated with Friends United Meeting (FUM), Friends General Conference (FGC), Evangelical Friends International (EFI), Conservative yearly meetings and independent yearly meetings.

The writing and art included will focus on the personal spiritual experiences, beliefs, and identities of contemporary young Friends. QUIP envisions a book that will spark discussion and dialogue, speak to and lift up the growing youth movement in Quakerism, and act as a catalyst for transformation within the Religious Society of Friends.

I’m really excited about the opportunity not only to get more involved with the Friends, but also to have the chance to work on a project of this nature. I’ll love learning more about publishing and this specific project is certainly in line with my interests as a ‘convergent friend.’ It will also be a great experience for my academic work as well in that I’ll have an opportunity to learn more about all the various Quaker demographics and practices. My first meeting is in North Carolina at the end of the month, I look forward to meeting all the people I’ll be working with.

If you’re a ‘young Friend’ from ages 15-30 be thinking about what you can submit to the book project. I’ll post more on this later when I have more details.  

9 responses to “Joining The QUIP Youth Book Project”

  1. Wess,
    Congratulations also. It sounds like an impossible task. The three groups sound like they have wide ranges of views. How will you find areas of commonality?
    Dad

  2. Thanks Dad – That’s a really great question. I think in one sense it will be all over the place, and read much more like a collection of disparate discoveries rather than a singular book. But I think it will be interesting to read it as a snapshot of youth spirituality today.

    I’m hoping to make friends with the people I work with but know that our commonalities and even language may be very different. I think we’ll share a common interest for Quaker history and practice, though are interpretations will be varied. I look forward to the challenge, I think it will be fun!

  3. Heya Wess,
    I’d also suggest going into the project ready for there not to be commonalities. The task as always is to stay faithful. If you all end up with a book, all the better. Don’t let the pressures of imposed deadlines and and expected outcomes shortchange whatever might need to happen.
    Martin

  4. Thanks Martin, that’s good advice and you’re right. Hopefully, this is not just a book, but also has God’s hand in it which will make it far more interesting!

  5. Congrats, Wess, this looks to be an exciting project. I’ll recommend some young Friends submit work to this project at my meeting.

  6. You know I think this is a great opportunity for you and for the folks who will get to work with you.

    There will be commonalities and there will be differences – I think it is important to go into it looking for the commonalities more than focusing on the differences. I think that is one of the strengths of convergent Friends.

    I’m looking forward to seeing you at the QUIP meeting in a few weeks. Too bad we have to go to North Carolina to see each other!