DEARBORN — Dearborn Public Library is seeking submissions of short stories, poems, and essays for publication in a short story collection titled, “Call of the Wild Dearborn: Animal Tales.” Submissions should be original work on one of the following themes:  Dogs,  Nature or the Environment,  Wildlife, or  Jack London’s book, “The Call of the Wild”

In addition to the original creative work, entries must include the author’s name, current contact information, brief biographical information (1-2 lines), and a signed release form (available from www.dearbornlibrary.org).  Photos and other artwork are optional.  The submission deadline for entries is February 1, 2014.  Entries may be emailed to hfischer@ci.dearborn.mi.us.

Selected entries will be published in the book, which will be added to the library collection.  Copies of the book will also be available for purchase.  Proceeds from public sales of the book will be used to benefit Dearborn Public Library.

The book, will commemorate the Dearborn community’s participation in The Big Read, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with Arts Midwest that is designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment.

The Big Read Dearborn will focus on Jack London’s classic tale, “The Call of the Wild”.  Fun-filled, community-wide events will take place in and around Dearborn from March through May 2014.  The adventure, Call of the Wild: EmBARKING on Discovery, begins with a kickoff event at The Henry Ford’s Anderson Theater from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2014.

For more information about all the events planned for The Big Read Dearborn, please visit www.bigreaddearborn.org or www.dearbornlibrary.org.