Aguaterra, our title for the third Ascent Aspirations Magazine anthology, means water and earth. This is our first theme issue.

We inhabit this world with its skin of earth and water, as one species among many. It is here where all living things exist. Our theme for this issue encompasses poetic expressions that relate to sustainability, diversity, biophilia, life cycles, relationsships with ourselves and all species, the preservation of life, hope for the future of the planet and all things, caring, stewardship, friendship with the planet and all living things. Poems should be able to touch on some aspect of the issues and concerns related to any of these ideas.

We are not looking for pedantic all encompassing expressions but rather personal creations that reflect the poet's connection with any of these ideas. Subtlety and lyrical imagery in free verse that emotionally grabs the reader is what we are looking for.

The submissions will be judged in July and August and the anthology will be produced in September with a publishing date no later than the end of November.

The publication will be a perfect-bound 120-page book with a glossy art designed cover. Since Ascent is a non-profit publication, offering the print edition as a contest will provide the funding for the book. This contest will run for for half a year and the print edition will appear in the fourth quarter of 2006. At the same time Ascent will continue to publish the electronic editions each quarter separate from any print editions.

First Prize - $100 (CND) & 2 copies of the anthology

Second Prize - $75 (CND) & 2 copies of the anthology

Third Prize - $50 (CND) & 2 copies of the anthology

Fourth Prize - $25 (CND) & 2 copies of the anthology

Plus 5 - $10 (CND) honourable mention awards with 1 copy of the anthology

Plus all additional contributors in the collection will receive one copy of the anthology.

The goal is for the contest to generate the costs for publishing the anthology. If the entry fees and sales of the anthology exceed the costs, then the additional money will be used to fund future print editions of Ascent with prize money being more widely distributed among all the authors who appear in the anthology.

Rules & Guidelines:

The third print edition will contain poetry.  

Poems can be published elsewhere as long as the author holds the copyright or unpublished and not sent elsewhere. Submit your poem or poems  with a brief bio by e-mail only to ascentaspirations@shaw.ca. In the subject heading say AguaTerra Edition.

By mail with your contest fee include a cover page with the poem title or poem titles and the first line beside each title, your name, address, phone number and e-mail.

 Maximum length of each poem is 60 lines and spaces between the stanzas count as lines.

Contest fee: $5 for one poem or 3 poems for $10. You can send as many poems as you wish.

Send your entry information, (not your poem or poems) with payment to:

either David Fraser, or Ascent Aspirations Publishing

1560 Arbutus Drive

Nanoose Bay, BC

V9P 9C8

*Enclose a #10 s.a.s.e. (Self-addressed stamped envelope) if you are interested in receiving an official printed winners' list. (If you are outside Canada please use Canadian stamps or an international coupon.) Regardless the winners and contributors list will automatically be sent to you via e-mail and it will be posted on the web site.

*Poems send by regular mail will not be judged or returned.

*All submissions will remain the copyright of the author.

*Additional copies of the perfect-bound anthology will be available at time of publication.

Retail Prices without shipping costs $16.95 CND/13.95 US

 The prices of additional copies including shipping and handling are as follows:

In Canada and USA ($19.95 CND or 17.95 US)

To Other International Destinations ($19.95 US)

Advanced Ordering of the Aguaterra will be announced in a future newsletter and web posting.

Pricing at this point is an estimate based on current postal rates and may be subject to slight changes with out notice when advanced ordering is announced.

Help make the Aguaterra, Ascent Aspirations Magazine third print edition a successful not-for–profit venture.

Ascent Aspirations Publishing