By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org

Diana Kathryn Penn is dedicated to promoting literacy. And she is doing so through the community service anthology titled Flights of Fantasy.

“I feel compelled to serve others through the written word not only to help them improve their skills and passion for storytelling, but when I do it, I feel like I’m contributing something important to humanity,” said Penn.

Through her company, Pages Promotions LLC, Penn offers editorial, book design, mentoring and marketing services. In addition, she hosts an annual virtual book festival for independent authors, the “Indie Reads Podcast” and offers 2-3 community service anthology projects each year.

Flights of Fantasy is the most recent anthology project currently accepting submissions.

“For this collection, we are calling for stories and poems written specifically with children in mind,” Penn says on her website. “Each story or poem must include the concept of flight or the action of a person, animal, fantastical being, or thing flying.”

Submissions must be 200-10,000 words and rated “ALL” for all ages. Multiple submissions and previously published works are accepted, and there is no entry fee. All ages are encouraged to submit, though parent/guardian permission is needed for those under age 18.

Submission deadline is April 30. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the Haley Sue Foundation.

Community service…through writing

Since 2014, Penn has facilitated and published 26 anthologies. The anthology quest began when her son was required to perform a certain number of community service hours in order to graduate high school.

“He was frustrated that so many of the options he had were performing manual labor,” said Penn. “He asked why he couldn’t do something creative, something that had a more lasting impact.”

Together, Penn and her son developed the idea of using their imaginations to serve. They talked with his teachers, suggesting students use their computer time to strengthen their English composition skills.

“The concept went over very well, and I’ve been facilitating these anthologies ever since.”

Penn sees the anthology projects as confirming the value of creative writing as a legacy for the community and promoting literacy in an exciting way.

“It is also a spectacular way for new writers to ‘test drive’ the writing process, see their work published, and discover if a larger writing career is something they want to pursue,” said Penn.

Leaving legacy through literacy

When asked what drives her to support lovers of the written word, Penn quoted the film The Dark Crystal: “Writing is words that stay.” Penn believes that is at the core of why she is passionate about written communication and storytelling.

“I’ve always held the belief that writing our stories – whether fiction or nonfiction – is the best way to record a history and connect future generations to the life we’ve lived,” said Penn. “Story is the touchstone that teaches us about the customs, mindsets, possibilities and struggles humanity endures and thrives in and past.”

Penn went on to say that stories help us to live up to the standards we imagine we are capable of achieving. Stories give us permission to embrace all emotions and the wonderment found in places that perhaps we may not have thought to look.

“We can learn so much from those who put words on the page, emotionally, socially, intellectually, and in a myriad of other ways. To my mind, the most important job in society is that of the librarian, for they keep everyone’s memories, lessons, expectations, and possibilities safe for generations.”

Because of this, Penn donates the time she puts into the Pages Promotions anthologies.

“My main goal in life is to create more words that stay,” said Penn. “That is a life’s calling…money isn’t the goal. Much like the soul who plants a tiny tree, I may never spend time enjoying its shade when it matures, but I live enthusiastically through the idea that others will enjoy the tree long after I’m gone.

“I think that’s worth a little bit of extra effort without the instant gratification of a larger bank balance.”

Advice for those who love the written word

Penn’s advice to both youth and adults who are hesitant to begin writing:

Writing is best discovered through a series of gentle ramps, not steps or cliffs.

Start with something that really speaks to you. Write that story down privately. Don’t show anyone. Just keep it for yourself in the beginning. Realize that every writer on the planet, past, present or future, has begun in the very same way, insecure and bursting with ideas.

Once you’ve spent a little time doing it just for you, share some of it with someone you trust. Find out what they respond to, what seems to touch them, and then build on that aspect until you are brave enough to give a story to the world that you are proud of without expectation of accolades.

And then…keep doing that.

The most important thing to remember is that there is no wrong or right way. No musts and no shoulds (except for the basics like grammar, spelling, and punctuation).

Writing is a gift we give of ourselves to everyone around us. You choose the speed, the style, the outer wrapping; and when you’re ready, give it away.

Keep writing, keep sharing…

The world needs your voice so they can find their own. The world needs to understand your perspective so they can investigate their own.

Life can’t happen in isolation. Life needs imagination and passion to thrive and grow. If you don’t add your voice…your story to the noise of the world…people will become far less than they could be, restricted in their experience of living.

Learn more!

To learn more about the Flights of Fantasy anthology and how to submit, click here.

To learn more about Pages Promotions services, click here.