Still Point Arts Celebrates Ten Years

Celebrating ten years and thirty issues of Still Point Arts Quarterly, Founding Editor Christine Brooks Cote's introduction to the Summer 2018 issue reads like an advice article for anyone with the idea to start up a journal.

Among the things she figured out along the way was what made for publishable submissions. She came up with these three criteria: "1) they have to be so interesting that I can't stop reading until I get all the way to the end; 2) they have to be well written - I shouldn't have to reread a paragraph or a sentence several times, or even twice, to figure out what is being said; and 3) they have to strike just the right chord inside me and make me feel that what I just read should be read by everyone."

Over this years, she notes, this search for quality submissions has not changed, nor her "aim to present them as respectfully and tastefully as possible. Each journal is a creation, a work of art."

Cote admits one thing that has changed over the years: "my respect, admiration, and gratitude for the artists and writers whose work we publish has grown exponentially. I never imagined when I started this work that I would have the pleasure of connecting with so many thoughtful and inspiring individuals who produce work that regularly stops me in my tracks. Truly, connecting with the people who contribute to this publication has been immensely joyful and fulfilling, and I've learned so much from them. That part I didn't expect - indeed, unexpected gifts are the best."

May Still Point Arts Quarterly enjoy another ten years - and more - of giving such beauty and joy to readers as well as receiving!

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Lit Mag Covers :: Picks of the Week

This week's covers are from some of the many Alternative Magazines we have listed at NewPages as a reminder of this useful resource for both reading and submitting writing.

Earth Island Journal combines investigative journalism and thought-provoking essays that make the subtle but profound connections between the environment and other contemporary issues. Writers guidelines here.

The focus of Feminist Studies 44.1 (2018) is life writing and new approaches to studying women’s autobiographies, including Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, Gertrude Stein, Kamal Das, Gayle Rubin and Judith Butler, as well as works by Estelle Carol, Alexandra Ketchum, Olga Zilberbourg, Corey Hickner-Johnson, Hiliary Chute, and Ashwini Tambe. Submissions guidelines here.

The Progressive is a journalistic voice for peace and social justice at home and abroad, steadfastly opposing militarism, the concentration of power in corporate hands, the disenfranchisement of the citizenry, poverty, and prejudice in all its guises. Writers guidelines here.

One of my favorites, Parabola is published quarterly by the Society for the Study of Myth and Tradition, a non-profit, non-denominational, educational organization. Each issue devotes 128 highly illustrated pages to a universal theme. Submission guidelines here.

The Humanist magazine applies humanism — a natural and democratic outlook informed by science, inspired by art, and motivated by compassion — to broad areas of social and personal concern in pursuit of alternative ideas. Writers guidelines here.

And we all need to retain our ability to laugh and bring humor into our days. The Funny Times helps us fulfill this need as America's longest-running ad-free monthly humor publication in a newspaper format. 

 

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New Lit on the Block :: Crossways Literary Magazine

The titles of WB Yeats’s first collection of poems is the inspiration behind the naming of Crossways Literary Magazine, an online quarterly of poetry and short fiction based out of Ireland.

But the core inspiration behind this new publication was Founding Editor David Jordan’s “limited success” in getting his own work published. “I decided I would go to the other side and be the publisher and the person who says yes. I figured I might have more success in this role and get satisfaction from it.”

The titles of WB Yeats’s first collection of poems is the inspiration behind the naming of Crossways Literary Magazine, an online quarterly of poetry and short fiction based out of Ireland.

But the core inspiration behind this new publication was Founding Editor David Jordan’s “limited success” in getting his own work published. “I decided I would go to the other side and be the publisher and the person who says yes. I figured I might have more success in this role and get satisfaction from it.”

The name fits well, since the aim of the magazine, Jordan explains, “is to publish work by primarily emerging authors. I also like the notion of a crossways as a metaphor for encountering new minds which is what happens when you read a lit mag.”

And while Jordan admits this start-up may have all been rather “impulsive,” and he had no idea the kind of response he would get, it was both a joy and a challenge to have been overwhelmed by the first call for submissions. Ultimately, Jordan comments, “Saying yes to emerging authors is probably one of the most rewarding aspects of running this magazine. Deciding who gets in is quite a powerful position to be in, but I try not to let it get to my head!”

Jordan is more than well-equipped to judiciously manage the interest in Crossways. With his MA in English (Modernities) from UCC background, Jordan works as a web content writer and has published a collection of poems, a collection of short stories and a novella.

As for the editorial process, Jordan explains, “Basically, I mark submissions that grab me. Obviously, I don’t have the time to study every poem and story I receive so the work must really jump out at me. Of course, it is totally subjective but there are some objective considerations, such as having a balance between Irish writers and international writers.”

Crossways readers can expect to find poetry and short fiction that is challenging, imaginative and powerful as well as variety and an eye pleasing design and layout with artwork from masters such as William Blake, Van Gogh and Jack B Yeats. “The look of the magazine is tasteful, minimalist and generally just easy on the eye. I tried to make it look like a literary supplement to a broad sheet, like The Times Literary Supplement.” Jordan explains.

The current issue, Summer 2018, features Poems by Mike Gallagher, Kevin Cahill, Liam O’Neill, Miriam Craig, Peter Hughes, Maurice Devitt, Aislinn Joy, Byron Beynon, Gill Garrett, Attracta Fahy, Antoinette Rock, Margarita Serafimova, Richard Hawtree, Colin Dardis, William Miller, Agnieszka Filipek, Mike Dillon, Matt Nagin, Deirdre Daly; Short Fiction by John Cantwell, Shona Woods, Jackie Krogmeier, Conrad Pollock, Dermot O’Sullivan, John Siberry, Anita Goveas.

For writers, Crossways welcomes verse and short fiction that is original, poetic and challenging. “However,” Jordan notes, “we generally stay away from work that is experimental in nature. Each issue is made up of around 50% Irish authors and 50% international. We like to hear from emerging writers, but we also like to hear from established writers. We aim for variety so that readers will most likely find pieces they will enjoy and want to return to.”

Jordan is looking forward to keeping the publication going and would like to consider publishing interviews with writers and including a print option. “I had no idea I would get this far with it,” Jordan expressed. “People have been so generous in their praise. I will certainly keep this going for the foreseeable future.”

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Rhino 2018 Prizes

Rhino: The Poetry Forum annual publication includes winning and selected entries from two annual prizes.

Each year, Rhino selects Editor's Prize Winners from among its general submissions to receive cash, publication, and nomination to the Pushcart Prize. There is no additional process; all submissions to the publication are considered.

First Prize
"Worms" by Erika Brumett

Second Prize
"You Have To Be Ready" by Amanda Galvan Huynh

Honorable Mention
"betty" by Amy Bilodeau

The Founder's Prize is an annual contest (Sept 1 - Oct 31). Winners receive a cash award, publication, and Pushcart Prize nomination. These entrants are also eligible for the Editor's Prize.

Winner
 "Asking for a Friend " by Abby E. Murray [pictured]

Runners-up
 "Odysseus " by Joseph Fasano
"Amelia Earhart Folds Origami Cranes" by Adie Smith Kleckner 
"Midden" by Paul Otremba

All of these works can also be read on Rhino's website.

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New Lit on the Block :: The Esthetic Apostle

Based out of Chicago, The Esthetic Apostle is a new online monthly of poetry, prose, artwork and photography which also releases print issues quarterly.

“Promoting creative individuals, self-realization/development, and beautiful ideas” are what motivated this start-up, as Founder and Editor-in-Chief Samuel M. Griffin explains. “The wit and wisdom of Oscar Wilde was a primary catalyst. As a tribute to our city and Wilde, we named the magazine The Esthetic Apostle after a Chicago Tribune  headline describing Wilde's visit to the windy city.” And if you're wondering about the spelling...

Based out of Chicago, The Esthetic Apostle is a new online monthly of poetry, prose, artwork and photography which also releases print issues quarterly.

“Promoting creative individuals, self-realization/development, and beautiful ideas” are what motivated this start-up, as Founder and Editor-in-Chief Samuel M. Griffin [pictured] explains. “The wit and wisdom of Oscar Wilde was a primary catalyst. As a tribute to our city and Wilde, we named the magazine The Esthetic Apostle after a Chicago Tribune  headline describing Wilde's visit to the windy city.” And if you're wondering about the spelling, the editors address that here.

Along with Wilde, the editors also draw inspiration, and help set a kind of “guiding philosophy” for both writers and readers with quotes from Walt Whitman (“Don’t write poetry…”), David Deutsch (The Beginning of Infinity ), Jiddu Krishnamurti, and George Carlin.

Along with Griffin, The Esthetic Apostle masthead includes Editor Benjamin Conboy, investigative and political journalist and student at DePaul University, and Flash Fiction Editor Margaret Eleanor, whose motto is: Rules should only be broken on purpose.

For the editorial process, Griffin explains that all poetry is printed, read (at least) twice aloud, editors make notes directly on the poem and scan it back to the poet, whether the work is accepted or not. For flash fiction, the editors give the option for handwritten feedback as an add-on. Response time is generally within one month, and it is this editorial interaction, Griffin notes, that has been one of the positives of starting this publication, “It is an absolute joy communicating with contributors all over the world from many different walks of life.”

As for readers coming to the publication, Griffin says they “should do everything they can to leave their expectations at the door and see where the stories take them.”

The June 2018 issue features Prose by Eli Karlo, Hope Nisly, Charles O'Donnell, Jaime Balboa, M.J. Sutton, Mike Krumboltz, Melanie Haney, Jennifer Springsteen, Lena Crown, Daniel Link; Poetry by Roger Howard, Yvonne Carpenter, Hinnah Mian, Ernest Slyman, Jeanne Milack, Leslie Dianne, Nikolaus Euwer, Sarah HaBa, Austin Lawrence, David Magill, Dorothy Dickinson, Jesse Albatrosov; Artwork / Photography by Stanley Horowitz, Nika Kermani, Knutseltroep, Tara Cronin, Rhett Pritchard, Beth Starger.

The online issues also include an “Inspiration” link where editors share what they are “Reading Now," “Reading Later," “And this" (an inclusion of miscellaneous interests) with links to each. A nice “sharing” feature.

The Esthetic Apostle accepts submissions year-round (though there are some ‘closed’ periods; check the site) via Submittable.

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Cincinnati Review Online Extras

In addition to its twice-a-year print publication of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, reviews, translations and now plays-in-progress, The Cincinnati Review features free online content, inviting writers published in their print issues to contribute to their blog. "We're especially interested in posts that can include an audio, visual, or video element, but we're open to everything."

One of those "everythings" is a beautiful recipe for scones shared by Siân Griffiths [pictured], which is as much personal narrative as it is recipe: "Let your mind wander as you sift and press the flour and butter in your fingertips. Remember the girl who told you that it doesn’t count as being the daughter of an immigrant if your immigrant father was only British. Remember the precision of your grandmother’s back garden with its perfect border of perfect flowers. Wonder why you even own that stupid pastry cutter."

The Cincinnati Review online also includes miCRo, a weekly highlight of flash fiction or nonfiction or poem under 32 lines each. Recent contributors include Cady Vishniac, Kelle Groom, Becky Hagenston, Joshua Kryah, and Lisa Fay Coutley. Submissions for this feature are open year-round (excluding during contest submissions). 

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