The Jawbone Journal

In this day and age a 'philistine' is seen as an uncultured anti-intellectual. The Bible describes the Philistines as enemies of the Israelites. Samson fought against an army of Philistines with the jawbone of an ass for his weapon.

Much later Oscar Wilde became irritated during a lecture in the USA with the response to his opinion on the importance of aesthetics. He berated his audience and called them a bunch of philistines. A voice in the back called out, “Yes, we are Philistines, and now I see why for the past hour you have been assaulting us with the jawbone of an ass.”

They also say 'the pen is mightier than the sword' the intent being of course that our words can be used for good or evil and can even be weaponised. So are words more powerful than the jawbone? How many intellectual philistines can you slay with your words?

WE WILL ONLY ACCEPT SUBMISSIONS DURING OUR SUBMISSION WINDOW.

Issue 1 - Submission Window
1st February 2025 until Midnight on 28th February 2025
Submissions outside this period will not be considered.

Share your words with us. In any form, poetry, prose, flash fiction, or short story. Surprise us, we like a twist, it is not required but somewhere in your piece you could mention the word Jawbone. Submissions are free and will be eligible for consideration for inclusion in the inaugural print edition of Jawbone Journal.

The theme for the first edition relates to words... Words have power, they can be used for good or ill. The wrong words (or the right?) at the right (or wrong?) moment can change history. We want words of protest, words of rebellion, words of love, words of healing. "In the beginning there was the word and the was?" 

Each edition of The Jawbone Journal will have a section devoted to a particular poetry form. In the first edition we will feature the poetry form of the Kyrielle. Follow the link to Wikipedia to find the form and further links on how to construct a Kyrielle.

The first print edition of Jawbone Journal will be printed in the South West of England during April of 2025. In order to be considered for publication you need to live. work or have a major connection to the Wessex region. You probably live or work in the postcode areas including Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol and Avon, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Hampshire and The Isle of Wight.

The second edition of The Jawbone Journal will be printed in Autumn 2025 and will be open for submissions from anyone, anywhere in the world.