"Every Aspect of Parenthood." A Chat with Randi Olin & Lauren Apfel, Editors of Motherwell

Editors of parenting-focused journal take us behind the scenes

Happy Friday, friends! I bring news of another editor interview, now in the books.

Today I had the good fun of chatting with Randi Olin and Lauren Apfel, Editors of Motherwell. This “is a Webby Award-winning online publication that tells all sides of the parenting story, with original content on family life, culture, obstacles and the process of overcoming them.”

Motherwell accepts personal essays, videos, graphic memoirs, lists and poetry.

Randi and Lauren first met while working at Brain, Child. Six years ago, they created Motherwell, a magazine that Lauren described as what would happen “if Brain, Child and Motherlode had a baby.”

Randi and Lauren are the only two editors. They read everything that comes in. Often they will work with a writer before a piece is published. Typical editorial suggestions may include sharpening an essay’s ending, cutting some dialogue or tightening the opening. However, as with all magazines, pieces should be as strong as possible at the time of submission.

And just what makes a strong personal essay? What do these editors most like to see? The pieces that have the most success here have a “genuine, authentic voice.” They offer “a unique entry point into a universal experience.”

Are pieces ever turned away because they are too similar to other pieces already on the site? Randi and Lauren said no. As long as the piece is offering readers something new, then no subject matter is off limits.

What about controversial pieces? We all know that so many issues surrounding parenting and family life are fraught with personal and political implications. Do these editors accept work that will provoke a strong reaction among readers? How do they handle reader responses to the work?

Short answer: Yes, such pieces are accepted here. And, because the magazine has a Facebook page with an active following, and where they also occasionally publish pieces that don’t quite fit on the website itself, controversies do arise. The editors welcome engagement from the community. But they are always mindful of protecting their writers and ensuring civil discussion.

They also welcome a range of opinions on various topics. “Every voice is different. Every experience is different.” They are invested in giving voice to “every aspect of parenting.”

Some aspects of parenting can be quite painful. As with other editors I’ve spoken to, I wondered how these editors handle material that was emotionally charged. Undoubtedly people send in submissions related to loss, sickness, the frustrations of not being able to have children, and so on. How do these editors manage the emotional weight?

Both agreed that their support of one another is instrumental in the process of reading and handling submissions. They are in constant contact with each other and talking through what different pieces make them feel is key. They also both said they feel honored to get to read such pieces. That writers want to submit work to them, such deeply personal work, means a great deal.

Indeed, these two editors are rooting for their writers. People should not shy away from submitting one, two, or eighteen times to this magazine. They encourage repeat attempts as well as submissions from writers who’ve already appeared on the site. They are also excited about sharing each writer’s work on their highly active social media platforms.

What are some common reasons pieces are rejected? And how on Earth does this dynamic duo manage their editorial work, on top of the work of family, life, and everything else? For that matter, what advice do they have for writer-parents struggling to do the same?

Ah, dear ones, you will have to watch the video to find out!

To all of you who came out today, thanks for tuning in! Your faces bring the sparkle to my eye and giddy-up to my heart!

And, of course, thank you to Randi and Lauren for taking the time today to peel back the curtain of another vital little magazine.

Happy viewing!

Reminder: Submissions Q & A this Sunday. Learn more here.