A GROUP of Dorset authors is calling on writers and photographers to help produce a book that will be full of local talent.

Poundbury authors Jim Potts, his wife Maria Strani-Potts and Louisa Adjoa Parker are looking for contributors for the book Dorset Voice that will be published with Roving Press.

The idea of the book is to produce an inspirational and original collection of the best poetry, prose and photography submitted by local people.

Mr Potts, 66, said writers are welcome to submit work that isn’t relevant to Dorset, but that 50 per cent of the book will have a direct relevance or connection to the county.

He said contributors are required to either have a residential postal address in Dorset or to be able to demonstrate past residence or evidence of strong connections to Dorset.

Mr Potts said: “We believe that there is an awful lot of talent, not just in Dorset, but around the country that doesn’t get a chance.

“We really want to tap into those talents in Dorset and encourage people to submit work.

“We do want to encourage established writers to contribute as well but we definitely want to encourage unpublished writers and photographers.

“Everyone has a story within them.”

The three writers will be selecting which work will feature in their book.

Mr Potts has published The Ionian Islands and Epirus – A Cultural History and written a book called Corfu Blues, which features a selection of his poetry and prose about Greece and the Balkans.

Mrs Strani-Potts, 64, has also written a book called Pimping Of Panorea about the exploitation of an island and its environment for profiteering and oil.

Ms Parker, 38, is a British-Ghanaian poet and historian whose work has appeared in various anthologies, websites and magazines.

Mr Potts said it was his wife who came up with the idea and the couple and Ms Parker are all looking forward to receiving submissions.

He said: “We think this is quite an exciting idea. It will give people a chance to be published for the first time but it is also exciting to have Roving Press on board.

“We expect it to be distributed in book shops across the county.”

The closing date for submissions which should be emailed to poundburyvoices@yahoo.co.uk is July 30, 2011.

Please view the detailed submission guidelines which can be found at www.poundburyvoices.blogspot.com