Every Veteran has a Story to Tell
Since 2011 we have partnered with organizations across the state to provide veterans and their families with an outlet for self-expression through writing. Our Veterans Programs offer support to both new and experienced writers through workshops, readings, a podcast, and an annual publication, Proud to Be. Together, these programs encourage hundreds of veterans each year to tell their stories.
Proud to Be Anthology Series
Proud to Be: Writing by American Warriors is a creative writing anthology of poetry, fiction, essays, and photography submissions by and about veterans, service members, and military-connected family members nationwide. Spanning generations, the anthology preserves and brings to light stories revolving around our nation’s military experience.
First released in November 2012, this yearly anthology is funded by the Missouri Humanities and is published in partnership with small University Presses.
Submissions are reviewed by a panel of judges for inclusion in the anthology, with a $250 first prize in each of the five anthology categories. There is no fee to enter.
Submissions for Volume 14 are now open!
Purchase Proud to Be, Volumes 1 – 13
Proud to Be, Volume 13 is published in partnership with GreenTower Press. Volumes 1-12 were made possible by support from Southeast Missouri State University Press.
GETTING VETERANS INVOLVED
Veterans Writing Workshops
Missouri Humanities’ Veterans Writing Workshops provide veterans, service members, and their families with the writing and narrative skills to empower them to better share their stories, thoughts, and experiences.
These workshops are FREE of charge and taught by writers and educators. The workshop facilitators provide professional writing instruction and leadership through high-quality, dynamic workshop facilitation, guiding participants through writing exercises with meaningful feedback. Participants are not required to write solely on their military experience. Beginners to advanced writers welcome.
These in-person workshops are a collaborative effort and available for any organization(s) in Missouri wanting to engage with its local veterans and military-connected community. Please click the link below.
Coming soon
Veterans Writing Workshop
Join us on Saturday, September 7th, at the Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library in Bloomfield, Missouri, for a unique and inspiring workshop where we will draw writing inspiration from the museum’s exhibits and artifacts. This FREE workshop offers veterans, retired and active military, and military-connected family members an opportunity to engage with our experienced facilitators and other fellow writers as we explore the use of ekphrasis — the practice of writing descriptively about creative works or visual objects. Participants are not required to write solely on their military experience.
Thank You to Veterans United Foundation for supporting our 2024 Veterans Programs
Veterans United works to enhance the lives of veterans and military families and support diverse needs in our local communities and across the nation. Their generous support will help us provide veterans and their families with an outlet for self-expression through writing throughout this year!
Military Trails of Missouri
Proud to Be Podcast
Our Proud To Be Podcast highlights veterans, military personnel, and family members published in Proud to Be: Writing by American Warriors—a creative writing anthology that preserves and shares our nation’s military experience through poetry, fiction, essays, interviews, and photography.
