Issue 8: Hope
With dark and challenging days ahead, we are looking for rays of hope to guide us. We are asking writers and artists to send us works full of inspiration, encouragement, and belief that there is light at the end of a dark tunnel.
Writing has always been an outlet to express Kerry Jo Bell’s deepest thoughts and feelings. As a socially awkward child they wanted desperately to be a wallflower, but somehow ended up being a sore thumb instead. Escaping into reimagined worlds of their own creation became a coping mechanism and survival skill. It wasn’t until five years ago however, that Kerry got an inkling to write ‘professionally’. Since then, their work has appeared in multiple literary journals and magazines. A byproduct of all that writing was being welcomed into the folds of The Writers Union of Canada’s BIPOC mentorship program for emerging writers in fall 2020 as well as becoming an associate member of the League of Canadian Poets. Kerry has written a novel currently titled, The Unfruitful Garden of Eden for which they are currently seeking publication, and intend to start work on their memoir this summer.
Christina Ciufo is a passionate writer in poetry, short stories, flash fictions, fables, and completing her first novel. At a very young age, she always had a passion for writing stories and poems, specifically in fairytales, folklore, supernatural, and horror. She has numerously appeared in literary magazines including Spillwords, Ovunque Siamo, Nymphs, Mookychick, Moonchild Magazine, Crêpe & Penn, Not Deer Magazine, Cauldron Anthology, Speculate This Magazine, Poetically Magazine, Analogies & Allegories Literary Magazine, Re-Side, and Coven Magazine.
Alexis Crafts (she/her) is a University student from Massachusetts studying English and Communications. She has words in or forthcoming in Literary Canteen, Ice Lolly Review, Brave Voices Magazine and more. Her dream is to become a writer in various genres, forms and careers.
Kelly DuMar is a poet, playwright and workshop facilitator from Boston. She’s author of three poetry chapbooks, 'girl in tree bark' (Nixes Mate, 2019), 'Tree of the Apple,' (Two of Cups Press), and 'All These Cures,' (Lit House Press). Her poems, prose and photos are published in many literary journals including Bellevue Literary Review, Tupelo Quarterly, Thrush, and many more. Kelly blogs her daily nature photos & creative writing at kellydumar.com/blog.
Kelly DuMar is a poet, playwright and workshop facilitator from Boston. She’s author of three poetry chapbooks, 'girl in tree bark' (Nixes Mate, 2019), 'Tree of the Apple,' (Two of Cups Press), and 'All These Cures,' (Lit House Press). Her poems, prose and photos are published in many literary journals including Bellevue Literary Review, Tupelo Quarterly, Thrush, and many more. Kelly blogs her daily nature photos & creative writing at kellydumar.com/blog.
Kelly DuMar is a poet, playwright and workshop facilitator from Boston. She’s author of three poetry chapbooks, 'girl in tree bark' (Nixes Mate, 2019), 'Tree of the Apple,' (Two of Cups Press), and 'All These Cures,' (Lit House Press). Her poems, prose and photos are published in many literary journals including Bellevue Literary Review, Tupelo Quarterly, Thrush, and many more. Kelly blogs her daily nature photos & creative writing at kellydumar.com/blog.
Kelly DuMar is a poet, playwright and workshop facilitator from Boston. She’s author of three poetry chapbooks, 'girl in tree bark' (Nixes Mate, 2019), 'Tree of the Apple,' (Two of Cups Press), and 'All These Cures,' (Lit House Press). Her poems, prose and photos are published in many literary journals including Bellevue Literary Review, Tupelo Quarterly, Thrush, and many more. Kelly blogs her daily nature photos & creative writing at kellydumar.com/blog.
Kelly DuMar is a poet, playwright and workshop facilitator from Boston. She’s author of three poetry chapbooks, 'girl in tree bark' (Nixes Mate, 2019), 'Tree of the Apple,' (Two of Cups Press), and 'All These Cures,' (Lit House Press). Her poems, prose and photos are published in many literary journals including Bellevue Literary Review, Tupelo Quarterly, Thrush, and many more. Kelly blogs her daily nature photos & creative writing at kellydumar.com/blog.
Kara Dunford is a writer and nonprofit communications professional living in Washington, DC. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in The Dalloway, Brave Voices Magazine, and boats against the current. Find her on Twitter @kara_dunford.
Kelly Esparza is an editor and writer who holds a B.A. in English and a B.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona. Her short fiction, personal essays, and poetry have appeared in various literary journals and anthologies. She has also written and self-published two collections of poetry and prose titled The World as Seen Through My Eyes (KDP, 2019) and Dear Me (KDP, 2022). In early 2021, she co-wrote a screenplay for a feature film, and her published short story, "Destiny Says" (Analogies & Allegories Literary Magazine, 2021), was nominated for the Pushcart Prize. Find out more on her website: https://kellyesparza.wordpress.com/
Ivanka Fear is a Canadian writer. Her poems and stories appear in numerous publications, including The Sirens Call, Scarlet Leaf Review, Mystery Tribune, October Hill, Close to the Bone, and elsewhere. The debut novel of her mystery series is scheduled for release by Level Best Books in January 2023. You can read more about her at https://ivankafear.wix.com/mysite and follow her @FearIvanka
Melinda Giordano is a native of Los Angeles, California. Her written pieces have appeared in publications such as in Stonecrop Review, Lazuli Literary Group, Chantwood Magazine, Scheherazade’s Bequest, The Rabbit Hole, Vine Leaves Literary Journal and After The Art. She writes flash fiction and poetry that speculates on the possibility of remarkable things– the secret lives of the natural world.
Bex Hainsworth is a poet and teacher based in Leicester, UK. She won the Collection HQ Prize as part of the East Riding Festival of Words and her work has appeared or is forthcoming in Visual Verse, Neologism, Atrium, Paddler Press, Canary, and Brave Voices Magazine. Find her on Twitter @PoetBex.
Dr. Emma Hutson holds a PhD on trans fiction. They have work published in C Word: An anthology of writing from Cardiff, Severine Literary and Art Journal, CrabFat Magazine, Harpoon Review and AZE Journal. Their short story ‘Footsteps’ came second place in Sheffield Authors’ 'Off the Shelf' competition. They are available on Twitter @Dr_EmmaH and on Instagram @DrEmma'sEmporium.
Yuu Ikeda is a Japan based poet. She loves writing, drawing, and reading mystery novels. She writes poetry on her website. https://poetryandcoffeedays.wordpress.com/ Her published poems can be found in Nymphs, Selcouth Station Press, Sublunary Review, Remington Review, Sad Girl Review, and more. Her Twitter and Instagram : @yuunnnn77
Yuu Ikeda is a Japan based poet. She loves writing, drawing, and reading mystery novels. She writes poetry on her website. https://poetryandcoffeedays.wordpress.com/ Her published poems can be found in Nymphs, Selcouth Station Press, Sublunary Review, Remington Review, Sad Girl Review, and more. Her Twitter and Instagram : @yuunnnn77
Yuu Ikeda is a Japan based poet. She loves writing, drawing, and reading mystery novels. She writes poetry on her website. https://poetryandcoffeedays.wordpress.com/ Her published poems can be found in Nymphs, Selcouth Station Press, Sublunary Review, Remington Review, Sad Girl Review, and more. Her Twitter and Instagram : @yuunnnn77
Anisha Kaul is a poet and a PhD Scholar at Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi, India. She treasures literary as well as creative writing experiences and most often pens down free verses with abstract themes, alternate realities or a longing for home. Her poems are widely published in magazines and anthologies based in India, USA, Canada and elsewhere. She has also been featured in multiple interviews, open mics and has considerable experience in writing, editorial and publishing fields. She dreams of returning home someday to pen down a few words under the shade, in their ancestral backyard.
Kelli Lage is earning her degree in Secondary English Education and works as a substitute teacher. She is a poetry reader for Bracken Magazine. Lage's work has appeared in The Lumiere Review, Welter Journal, Watershed Review, and elsewhere. Website: www.KelliLage.com.
Becca Lee is an emerging writer. In recent months, she stumbled across her childhood diary where her nine-year-old-self stated that she wanted to become a writer when she grew up. Becca is now honoring both her younger and current selves’ ambitions by being a writer. Her short story, “Remember Me,” was featured in Elegant Literature’s inaugural issue. You can find her on Twitter @beccaleewrites.
Edward Lee is an artist and writer from Ireland. His paintings and photography have been exhibited widely, while his poetry, short stories, non-fiction have been published in magazines in Ireland, England and America, including The Stinging Fly, Skylight 47, Acumen and Smiths Knoll. He is currently working on two photography collections: 'Lying Down With The Dead' and 'There Is A Beauty In Broken Things'. He also makes musical noise under the names Ayahuasca Collective, Orson Carroll, Lego Figures Fighting, and Pale Blond Boy. His blog/website can be found at https://edwardmlee.wordpress.com
Yannis Lobaina is a Cuban award-winning artist, writer, producer, emerging filmmaker and photographer based in Toronto. Yannis loves to explore immigration, diaspora, and motherhood themes through various storytelling tools. As an emerging photographer, Yannis is currently focusing on minimalist photographic storytelling that explores pattern relationships found in nature and human form. Her passion is capturing fleeting moments and unusual patterns and beauty that surround us. Recent accomplishments include receiving Toronto Arts Foundation’s RBC Space award (2021), Toronto Arts Council’s Newcomer and Refugee Artist Mentorship grant (2019), and Toronto Arts Foundation’s RBC Arts Access Fund (2019, 2018). The latter helped fund her photography exhibition 'Rebirth’ (Raw Artist Network, Mod Club 2019), as well as supported the facilitation of multiple creative writing and Bilingual (Spanish/English) storytelling workshops for children in various Toronto Public Libraries. Yannis is currently pursuing Creative Writing at the University of Toronto. Learn more about her work by visiting https://enlareddeltiempo.com/
Dominic Loise is open about and advocates for mental health awareness as seen with his essay writing for F(r)iction. Dominic’s poetry has appeared in multiple journals and he was a finalist in Short Editions' "America: Color it in" contest.
Lisa Owens is a poet and fiction writer from St. Louis, Missouri, USA. With a passion for connection to self, nature and others she seeks to inspire, instill strength and build a relationship with the reader. Her work can be found in publications by Quillkeepers Press, Poets Choice, Tiny Seed Journal, Plants & Poetry Journal, Bluing the Blade Literary Journal, Epoch Literary Journal, Unlimited Literature, Wingless Dreamer and Pile Press.
Oreva-Oghene Isaac Oyibojabor is a poet and writer with poems published in Brittle Paper Magazine, AceWorld Magazine, Rasa Literary Review and most recently two 9f his poems were featured in the Bilingual collection of poems and essays in honour of John Jerry Rawlings (Late former Ghanian President). He is currently a 400 Level student at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma where he is studying for a degree in law.
Akshaya Pawaskar is a doctor practicing in India, and poetry is her passion. Her poems have been published in Tipton Poetry Journal, The Blue Nib, North of Oxford, Rock and Sling, among others. She won the Craven Arts Council ekphrastic poetry competition 2020 and was placed second in The Blue Nib chapbook contest 2018. Her first solo poetry chapbook ‘The falling in and the falling out’ was published by Alien Buddha press in January 2021.
Robert Pegel graduated from Columbia University where he majored in English. He has been published in Backchannels, Sledgehammer Lit, Fahmidan Journal, ZiN Daily, Remington Review, 433 Magazine, Trouvaille Review, and others. He has work forthcoming in Door is a Jar, North Dakota Quarterly, Toyon Literature and Paddler Press.
Caycey Pound is a South Carolinian poet with a B.A. in English from College of Charleston (‘20). When she's not reading, writing, or tutoring, she's spending time with her family, her wonderful pug, and her plants. You can find her on social media @briefcayc.
Jodi Rizzotto is a full-time writer living in southern California with her husband and two dogs, Harley and Davidson. When not writing, they’re kicking up dust on back roads with their Jeep or camping at the beach. Her Harley stories have appeared in online travel magazines and anthologies. Her magical realism story, "Angry Man," appeared in Altered Reality Magazine. Her middle grade short story, "The Sea Cave," will appear in an upcoming anthology titled Magic Portals. Jodi belongs to SCBWI.
Caroline Schwartzbeck (she/they) is a young writer from Virginia. She often finds herself writing about family bonds, platonic love, and the feeling that her youth is slipping away from her. They also enjoy cats and daydreaming about the future. Their work will soon appear in Adoxography Literary Magazine.
Hannah Siden is a writer and filmmaker living on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations (Vancouver, BC). You’re welcome to find her on Twitter @hannah_siden or at http://www.hannahsiden.com.
Title of this poem is based on a lyric from 'The Light in the Piazza' - music and lyrics by Adam Guettel.
Hilary Tam is a student from Hong Kong. Her work appears or is forthcoming in Evoke literary magazine, Fahmidan journal, The Lumiere Review, Trouvaille Review and more. She can be found playing (and losing at) sternhalma, poring over literary magazines or taking long walks. She is on twitter @hiilarytam.
Growing up in Ottawa and New Jersey, Andrea Vasile is greatly inspired by nature and the ever-changing city. She has written ever since she won a contest for valentines poetry in The Ottawa Journal in 1979. Andrea found continued success in Clevermag, Turbula , Jones Ave and Ascent Aspirations . Recently in The Basil O'Flarhety , Feminist Voice , Event Horizon Literary Magazine Issue 9 , Oddball Ezine, Mocking Owl Roost and receiving third prize from the poet laureate of Ottawa for I Am a Human Being. She finds our world changing in many puzzling and curious ways and feels the need to speak out and also to remind ourselves of the goodness we challenge for.
Melody Wang currently resides in sunny Southern California with her dear husband and wishes it were autumn all year ‘round. Her debut collection of poetry "Night-blooming Cereus" was released in December 2021 with Alien Buddha Press. She can be found on Twitter @MelodyOfMusings or at her website https://linktr.ee/MelodyOfMusings.
Melody Wang currently resides in sunny Southern California with her dear husband and wishes it were autumn all year ‘round. Her debut collection of poetry "Night-blooming Cereus" was released in December 2021 with Alien Buddha Press. She can be found on Twitter @MelodyOfMusings or at her website https://linktr.ee/MelodyOfMusings.
Melody Wang currently resides in sunny Southern California with her dear husband and wishes it were autumn all year ‘round. Her debut collection of poetry "Night-blooming Cereus" was released in December 2021 with Alien Buddha Press. She can be found on Twitter @MelodyOfMusings or at her website https://linktr.ee/MelodyOfMusings.
Melody Wang currently resides in sunny Southern California with her dear husband and wishes it were autumn all year ‘round. Her debut collection of poetry "Night-blooming Cereus" was released in December 2021 with Alien Buddha Press. She can be found on Twitter @MelodyOfMusings or at her website https://linktr.ee/MelodyOfMusings.
Melody Wang currently resides in sunny Southern California with her dear husband and wishes it were autumn all year ‘round. Her debut collection of poetry "Night-blooming Cereus" was released in December 2021 with Alien Buddha Press. She can be found on Twitter @MelodyOfMusings or at her website https://linktr.ee/MelodyOfMusings.
Amber Watson grew up in Massachusetts and earned her degree in English and departmental honors in creative writing from Wheaton College. In adulthood, she moved to a warmer climate and now resides in Durham, North Carolina with her husband, teenager, and rescue animals. Her poetry most recently appears in Constellations, Ligeia, and Visual Verse. Follow her online @awatsonwrites.