"Pieces of Rainbow You See in the Sky." A Chat with Elizabeth Varel, Editor of Parhelion Magazine

Editor of new online magazine takes us behind the scenes

Aaaaand….another editor interview has wrapped, friends!

Today I had the joy of speaking with Elizabeth Varel, Founding Editor of Parhelion Magazine. This online journal was launched in 2018, and seeks to showcase “bold literature for bold readers.” They “seek gifted and skillful writing, writing that is fearless and loud.”

Elizabeth had the initial vision for the journal in 2017, when she felt the hunger to create a space to bring writers she loved to a larger audience. She didn’t jump right in to the project, however. Before getting started, she wanted to be fully sure she was 100% committed and ready to take on the responsibility for the writers she would be publishing.

The magazine will be celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, and Elizabeth has indeed demonstrated commitment to the project. It is a labor of love which she funds out of pocket, and which she balances with a full-time job and raising four kids.

When I asked what keeps her going, she described being buoyed by her staff members and from the exciting submissions they receive. A life-long lover of literature who, as a child, would return from the library with wagons full of books, Elizabeth said, “I just want to read.” She described her work as an Editor as “The greatest job you could ever have.”

So, what does Parhelion look for in submissions? What makes for “bold literature?” Who are “bold readers?” Elizabeth cited the importance of voice in a story. She wants to be able to hear the narrator. She wants to feel connected. She described bold readers and writers as people who are open-minded, who see a bigger world. A bold writer is especially someone who writes with honesty, who is not afraid.

She also went into some detail about the importance of a story’s first line. For her, a story’s strength is typically evident right away. Most often she can tell whether or not she will accept a story based on the first line.

This led naturally to a conversation about what makes a great first line. We talked about Carson McCullers, about the difference between gimmicky and authentic openings, and what makes a strong “hook.”

Parhelion is not affiliated with any university. Elizabeth loves stories about kids and teenagers, and likes work that is voice- and character-driven. She is proud of the diversity in ages represented in Parhelion, as they’ve published high school students and college students alongside people decades older.

Who are the Southern novelists Elizabeth loves to read? How does she see the magazine growing over the next few years? What else does she want to see in submissions? You’ll have to watch the video to find out!

The magazine receives about 500 submissions/month. (And, as a fun little tidbit into the life of a lit mag editor, Elizabeth told us her phone pings with every new submission!)

This journal is open for submissions now, until June. In April they will have a call for Halloween-themed stories. Thier next issue will be out this summer. The editors are particularly interested in receiving more creative nonfiction.

As always, thanks to everyone who came out today. You know your faces make my heart sing!

And, of course, thanks to Elizabeth for taking the time to give us a glimpse into another magical little lit mag.

Happy viewing!