Last Friday my daughter woke up ecstatically excited that it was the first day of March. For two reasons. The first (which I do not quite understand) is that she is very into St. Patrick’s Day. She talks about it like it’s Christmas. I have no idea why.
The second reason is that we’ve told her there is a slight chance, maybe, if the stars align, we could possibly be getting a hamster at the end of this month. We’ve viewed them at the local pet shop. There’s a breed called a Russian dwarf hamster that is, in fact, impossibly, irresistibly, crazy-makingly adorable.
So, happy March! Here’s to holidays, hamsters, the dawn of spring, and all the rest we have to look forward to. Below is what’s happening at Lit Mag News this month.
Thursday, March 14th at 2:30 pm est: Q & A with Joseph Levens, Editor of The Summerset Review
The Summerset Review is a literary journal released quarterly on the 15th of March, June, September, and December on the Internet, and periodically in print form. Founded in 2002, the journal is exclusively devoted to the review and publication of unsolicited fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.
This interview is open to all. It will be recorded and made available afterward for all readers of Lit Mag News.
Tuesday, March 19th at 2:30 pm est: Lit Mag Chat with Becky
The first day of spring! And what better way to usher in the new delicious season with some fun gossip educational discussions pertaining to lit mags!
Indeed, we’ll gather together, ask questions, trade resources, share knowledge and learn all we can from one another about what to expect when submitting to literary magazines. A supportive atmosphere in which laughter may ensue.
This session will not be recorded, and is meant to be a free-flowing candid chat about our submissions experiences. Writers at any stage and working in any genre are welcome.
It is for paying subscribers only, so if you’d like to attend and haven’t yet signed up, go on and hit that red button now!
Registration link will be sent separately.
Friday, March 22nd at 2:30 pm est: Submissions Study Hall
Have you been telling yourself you’ll submit to more lit mags and then failing to make time for it? Do you keep meaning to research markets for your work, but other stuff just gobbles up your time?
Come on out to our Submissions Study Hall! In this one-hour session, participants will work independently researching markets and submitting work, while I and others are on hand to answer questions, recommend magazines, and cheer you on with every new submission.
This is for paying subscribers only, so if you’d like to attend go on and hit that red button now!
Registration link will be sent separately.
Tuesday, March 26th at 11:00 am est: Lit Mag Reading Club discussion of One Story
For this month’s reading we will be looking at the past few issues of One Story. This month is a bit tricky, since One Story publishes one new story every four weeks. If you have not yet ordered your discounted issues and you’d like to participate, you can order those here. Do so now!
As always, whatever amount of reading you get done for The Club is totally fine, whether that is five recent stories or just one. (And if you don’t read any, but still want to join the conversation, that’s fine too.)
This chat will not be recorded. It’s meant to be a candid reflection on what we loved, what we learned, what surprised us, what baffled us, and what it seems this magazine is all about. Writers in all genres are welcome.
For paying subscribers only.
Registration link will be sent separately.
Thursday, March 28th at 12:00 pm est: Lit Mag Reading Club Q & A with Lena Valencia, Managing Editor of One Story
One Story began in 2001. Hannah Tinti and Maribeth Batcha saw short stories disappearing from high-profile print publications and smaller literary magazines folding. They knew that with fewer venues for short fiction, emerging writers would have a hard time getting noticed, and short stories could fall by the literary wayside.
Batcha had the innovative idea of mailing one short story at a time to subscribers, like a letter from a friend. Tinti signed on as editor. One Story launched in 2002.
To keep the doors of One Story open to all, the co-founders set a policy that they would only publish an author one time. Since then, One Story has published over 300 stories by 300 different writers in an unfussy 5 x 7 chapbook format. While a copy of One Story might get wrinkled, dog-eared, and passed along, the story itself stays with the reader.
In this interview we will learn from Lena all about this award-winning journal, what stories the editors seek to publish and any tips for breaking in. We will also talk specifically about the works published recently and the editorial decisions made.
This conversation is open to members of the Lit Mag Reading Club only. You can become a member any time by signing up for a paid subscription to Lit Mag News.
A recording will be made available afterward for Lit Mag Reading Club members.
Registration link coming soon.
And that’s it!
See you soon, everyone!
I love this story about your daughter's love of St Patrick's day. Very touching. And ... why not?
Looking forward!!