What sort of stories are accepted?
Any and all stories related to the South Bay! We may be expanding in the future, but at the moment the focus will be here. We’ve had submissions that range from deeply personal (falling in love, struggling with being a first year college student) to cute and funny (someone adopting their dog, two best friends who feel cursed whenever they go out) to historical or place based stories (how the streets in downtown are named after members of the Donner Party.) Overtime we plan on accepting stories from across the Bay, but at the moment are focusing on the South Bay (roughly the triangle of Fremont, Mountain View and Gilroy.)
Specific outreach will be spent to make sure that BASA includes stories from voices traditionally excluded from the narrative of South Bay, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA, differently abled, non-neurotypical, unhoused and youth voices.
The only exception is we will not be accepting hateful stories, stories that are racist, sexist, transphobic, classist, or treat any members of our community as less than the people they are.
The Bay Area is changing and shifting so quickly, the South Bay especially. We’re not trying define what is this space we live in, but to provide space for the stories that make this place our home. Your story matters, and we’d love to have it.
I can’t think of a story! Do you have any prompts?
Sure! Some prompts for stories include:
Where did you first experience love in the South Bay? Loss?
When did you move to the South Bay? If you’ve always been here how have you seen changes?
What’s something that you felt could only happen here?
How can I record my story?
We recognize that not everyone has access to the highest level of recording tech (we don’t at least.) If you have a smart phone or a laptop and can record your audio and send it to us we can use that! If you do not have access to that technology, or know someone who doesn’t, please let us know and we can provide what equipment we do have and work with you to record your story.
When you record, please start with the following format: “My name is X (if you choose to add your name), my story takes place at (the location in South Bay it happens in)” and start your story.
If you can send your file as a .wav, or another high quality format, but whatever you send over will work.
How do I submit?
Whatever way is best for you! Email is easy for us (more.mas.marami.arts@gmail.com), and we’ll be creating a form on this website to make submitting a breeze as well.
Do I have to say its from me?
You can if you want to! If you would prefer to keep it anonymous that’s okay! We will only share the information you trust us with sharing. The only information we have to have is where the story takes place.
Are you going to do anything else with my story? Sell it or profit off of it?
More Más Marami Arts will not sell ads or collect data attempt to make money based off or your story through this archive. We will be accepting donations if people are willing to donate to keep this website functioning and growing, but as a fiscally sponsored non-profit everything will be put back into this project.
I’ve submitted a story but I’ve changed my mind about sharing it, what should I do?
Please reach out to us as quickly as possible with your story name and content! We’ll pull it as soon as we can. It’s your story, and we want to respect your privacy.
Will the stories be transcribed? And will there be recordings in multiple languages?
Yes! Transcribing is a long term goal because of how time intensive it can be. We’re currently looking for interviewers and transcribers for all languages, but particularly Spanish and Vietnamese. If you’re interested in helping make this archive more inclusive and accessible give us an email (the link is in the footer of the website) or send us a DM on our social media!