What is our story?

Eltayeb and Jack met at Rice College, a Christian Brothers School founded in 1826 by Edmund Rice. Rice was a Catholic missionary and educationalist who fought against Catholic oppression, and devoted his life to the schooling of the poor. Eltayeb and Jack admired Rice’s mission of democratising knowledge, but detested the culture of imposed student silence at the school: they shared an urge to bring about change, and to honour the Rice name for its original, intended purpose.

When Eltayeb moved out of the country, the two were separated, and this dream was put on hold. During their time apart, they both developed a love of and passion for poetry, their paths leading, ultimately, to the same destination. When the two eventually met again, a decade later, they decided that the time was right to initiate a wider cultural change. They have since dedicated themselves to an empowerment of all silenced people through the written word, and with the help of their friends, Poppy and Shreyashi, are pleased to announce the launch of Soul Rice.

What is our mission?

Unlike the typical submission and anthology format of modern poetic magazines, Soul Rice encourages work created through collaboration. Our central aims surround connection and adaptation, as opposed to the individualistic model of authorship that we so often see in the modern world. We aspire to learn through each other, and to understand our distinct human experiences through our commonalities. We will promote open and generous conversation, and will encourage the exchange of technique, content, and style between participants. We urge you to think of your poetry, not as a private possession, but as something shaped by, and shared with, your community.

How do we work?

Each submission cycle, we will ask for work that adheres to a specific theme, with plenty of room for personal interpretation. We are searching for poetry that steps outside of the conventional model in its language, form, and process, poetry that de-centres the traditional, individualistic method of writing that dominates our curriculums. Approved submissions will be compiled into an anthology, which will then be released for all to read. Alongside this digital collection, we will also be organising in-person workshops across the UK and Ireland, and online workshops for global participants. These workshops will involve the discussion, analysis, and re-working of existing poems, and the creation of new, collaborative pieces. We encourage attendance from the literary minded, as well as those who are completely new to the world of poetry, and those who have not yet found their voice in the creative world.

How do I get involved ?

If Soul Rice sounds like the space for you, follow us on our Instagram page @soulricee for updates about our first theme, submissions process, and upcoming workshops.

The People Behind The Publication