I have felt this exact same way when a podcast I listen to ends or goes off the air (thinking Binge Mode, specifically). We do get attached to these publications because they come to symbolize something meaningful in our lives.
I wonder if in this case it also relates to the overabundance of lit mags, many that are woefully under read. I'm writing a post this week about short stories and why they're underappreciated and I think it relates. We need more eyes on this type of writing!
i think I'm missing something. I've never thought of a lit mag as a home. Maybe I should, that I should develop a relationship with one special mag that I love. The Sun? Too far out of reach? Maybe try something smaller? I flit around looking for a home.
To me it has been Carve. I love their aggressive approach to what they call Honest Fiction. Their stories are cool. They do interviews of what it took to do the story, plus they have really cool cover art.
I love Carve Magazine too! But the thing I’m looking for is a call for a themed issue, like how Amy Nicholson describes in her piece. I just love how themes ignite my inspiration, and I look forward to reading how other writers interpret the theme too.
What a lovely tribute! I've been mostly offline because we were evacuated for the fire in Ruidoso, but now we're home, and this is one of the first things I read when I opened my email. Sarah James was lovely to work with. She published my essay for her healing issue where I wrote about how our daily walks with our dog healed our grief and anxiety during COVID. This was a wonderful magazine that will be missed.
"In case you were wondering (like I was), what a clerestory is. . .it’s a window that allows light and air into an old church." - That's absolutely beautiful. What a lovely tribute. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Thanks for this wonderful piece. Writing is such a solitary occupation. It demands that we sit for hours tuning into our own minds and consciousnesses in order to access the world. Such a paradoxical calling!
You captured perfectly this roundabout way of connecting to others. A community of writers, online, several removes from the immediate, is a perfect embodiment of the writer's relation to the world, and that's what you present here.
I'm sorry you lost your literary community. I hope you find another soon.
It sounds like an absolutely beautiful publication, and I'm sorry I've only come to know about it upon its closing. I'd love to read that anthology--L'Engle is an all-time favorite! What a gift Sarah gave you.
Lovely tribute, Amy. So nice to get a glimpse into the genuine joy being published can bring. Sometimes it's not about distribution numbers or what comes next, but about growing, creating, and, finally, belonging. Thanks for this.
I have felt this exact same way when a podcast I listen to ends or goes off the air (thinking Binge Mode, specifically). We do get attached to these publications because they come to symbolize something meaningful in our lives.
I wonder if in this case it also relates to the overabundance of lit mags, many that are woefully under read. I'm writing a post this week about short stories and why they're underappreciated and I think it relates. We need more eyes on this type of writing!
Agreed! Let's be the change!
i think I'm missing something. I've never thought of a lit mag as a home. Maybe I should, that I should develop a relationship with one special mag that I love. The Sun? Too far out of reach? Maybe try something smaller? I flit around looking for a home.
Keep looking, Polly! A special place is out there for you!
Thanks, Amy. I'm trying!
To me it has been Carve. I love their aggressive approach to what they call Honest Fiction. Their stories are cool. They do interviews of what it took to do the story, plus they have really cool cover art.
That does look like a cool publication. Thank you for chiming in.
I love Carve Magazine too! But the thing I’m looking for is a call for a themed issue, like how Amy Nicholson describes in her piece. I just love how themes ignite my inspiration, and I look forward to reading how other writers interpret the theme too.
What a lovely tribute! I've been mostly offline because we were evacuated for the fire in Ruidoso, but now we're home, and this is one of the first things I read when I opened my email. Sarah James was lovely to work with. She published my essay for her healing issue where I wrote about how our daily walks with our dog healed our grief and anxiety during COVID. This was a wonderful magazine that will be missed.
Jeanne, I'm glad you were able to experience Clerestory as well.
"In case you were wondering (like I was), what a clerestory is. . .it’s a window that allows light and air into an old church." - That's absolutely beautiful. What a lovely tribute. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Thank you for reading! And for your kind words:)
Thanks for writing a beautiful story! It makes me ache to find an editor like you did at Clerestory.
Keep submitting, Meg! You will find that special editor!
Thanks for this wonderful piece. Writing is such a solitary occupation. It demands that we sit for hours tuning into our own minds and consciousnesses in order to access the world. Such a paradoxical calling!
You captured perfectly this roundabout way of connecting to others. A community of writers, online, several removes from the immediate, is a perfect embodiment of the writer's relation to the world, and that's what you present here.
I'm sorry you lost your literary community. I hope you find another soon.
Thank you so much, Robbi :)
A beautiful tribute to a wonderful journey and relationship.
Thank you, Carol!
It sounds like an absolutely beautiful publication, and I'm sorry I've only come to know about it upon its closing. I'd love to read that anthology--L'Engle is an all-time favorite! What a gift Sarah gave you.
Mourning the recent closure of Taproot, a rare indie print mag
Sad indeed.
"Sometimes writing saves our lives." Oof. Yes. So sad when the special ones close...
Thank you, Allie.
Lovely tribute, Amy. So nice to get a glimpse into the genuine joy being published can bring. Sometimes it's not about distribution numbers or what comes next, but about growing, creating, and, finally, belonging. Thanks for this.
It absolutely IS about "growing, creating, belonging," Shelby! Let's not forget that when the going gets tough.
Yes. Writing saves lives. Www.defaulttogoodness.com