Tag Archives: literary magazine

Choice, choices, oh so many choices!

The newest issue of the children’s literary magazine I co-run is out, and it’s on the theme “Choices.” The title of this post comes from a brilliant poem written by eleven year old Bethany Hernandez–my first thought when I read it was, “This is perfect!”–and the cover image, below, is by the same person! The issue is full of adult and kid perspectives on choices, has an author interview, and activity pages. My daughter, Abigail, has a comic in the issue as well. I do hope you’ll read, enjoy, and share with the kids in your life! Also, encourage them to watch out for our next sub call and send us their own writing and/or art.

Pastel watercolor painting of a white gate with an open pathway through the center
“Gate” by Bethany Hernandez, age 11
Click here to read Nimblewitlit Issue 3: Choices

This issue on choices is meant to be read in tandem with the most recent issue of our adult-focused literary magazine, Epistemic Literary, on “Agency vs. Determinism.” Do all those choices you make matter? Do they make a difference in your life, or is fate the guiding force? We’d love for you to explore with us!

Tiny person in a huge maze of life decisions, with a single entry and exit. The maze is held by an omnipotent being in the clouds. Represents the tension between a person's free-will at the micro level and their inevitable fate at the macro level.
“Choose Wisely” by Andrew Roma
Click to read Epistemic Literary Issue 9: Agency vs. Determinism

I also thought it might be fun to talk about kids books that center around choices — some favorites that came to mind are “Oh the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss, and “Would You Rather be a Bullfrog?”, also by Dr. Seuss but writing as Theo leSeig.

Do you have any favorites? How about books for older kids? Please share!

Writing Goals

I don’t set a lot of writing goals. I don’t set a lot of goals, period. My body just doesn’t let me. My reality is that I have to adapt to whatever my body needs in the moment and so setting goals tends to set me up for disappointment. This year, though, I sort of stumbled into a goal. In March, I realized I’d submitted once piece of writing a month for publication and I decided it felt doable to continue that trend. Which means, I cautiously set a goal: submit one piece of writing per month.

Well, it’s June and I have stuck with it for another three months! I have submitted (at least) one poem per month to literary magazines. My track record of success is not so awesome, as only January’s submission was successfully picked up. BUT it’s been a small thing I do just for me that has nothing whatsoever to do with my health and that feels good.

In case you’d like to read it, here is the piece that I subbed in January that was picked up. It’s a collaborative piece (my first!) in a style that is far outside my normal writing, and it was so much fun to write: Habitat, Haunted, in the engine(idling. You can find the entire issue here in PDF (free to read) and available for purchase in hard copy.

Thanks for reading!