Category Archives: Issue

Issue #18 – Historical (Re)Tell

He says, “She spoke at Chautauquas while her stepchildren sang and danced. She was married to William Albert Wiseman, your great-great-great-grandfather. The one who founded the Methodist Church on Crocker by Woodland Cemetery. You know where that is, Laura.” Read the full Guest Editor’s Letter.

Cover Historical (Re)Tell

 Guest Editor’s Spotlight: The Hired Man by KateLynn Hibbard

Joshua Trees by Susana H. Case

Jazz Fusion Bolero by Sophie Jupillat

Remembering Hugo by Deanna Northrup

Carolina Wren by Joshua Allen Aiken

Freud Looks At a Picture of His Mother by July Westhale

(Re)Dreaming by Iryna Lialko

My Standardized Home by Terry Barr

The Lunatic Ball & Other Poems by Margo Taft Stever

Laura Madeline Wiseman Interviews Margo Taft Stever

Shards by Laura Yevchak

The Dinner by Ron Burch

Scheherazade by James Gallant

Bathing Caps Required by Timothy Gerken

Rachel Nix Interviews Kelly Boyker of Menacing Hedge

Laura Madeline WisemanLaura Madeline Wiseman is the author of twenty books and chapbooks and the editor of Women Write Resistance: Poets Resist Gender Violence. Her collaborative book Intimates and Fools is an Honor Book for the 2015 Nebraska Book Award. Her book Queen of the Platform explores the life of the suffragist, lecturer, and poet Matilda Fletcher Wiseman. Her critical reviews have appeared in Prairie Schooner, Ploughshares, Calyx, and The Iowa Review. She teaches poetry in the Writing for the Schools Program and in the Women’s and Gender Studies Department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

FacebookTwitterGoogle+Share

Issue #17 – Grit by the Glass

I wanted pieces that would make me feel like I’ve been kicked in the gut one moment, and like I’ve lost  someone very dear to me the next. I wanted work that screamed, sometimes for no reason and sometimes because that is really the only way to deal with suffering sometimes. The pieces selected spoke to me in a number of ways. Not all hit me in the same way, but they all certainly hit me in some way. They were the pieces that had me thinking about them later in the day and into the next, the ones I wanted to talk about with strangers. Read the full Guest Editor’s Letter.

Guest Editor’s Spotlight: Our Fathers by Kerry Johnson

Mommy! by Janne Karlsson

Needing to Know How Penises Worked by Elliott batTzedek

The Super Sea Trade League Strike Force ™ by Adam Kotlarczyk

St. Theresa’s Apron by Rita Anderson

You Can Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye by Stefan Doru Moscu

Be Still My Soul by James Emery

In Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of GI Boots on the Ground by Gerard Sarnat

apricity to the man unraveling thread by Hannah Hamilton

All the Gorgeous Are Broken by Wel Sed

Falter Suite by Elizabeth Deanna Morris Lakes

Sister Death by Laura Madeline Wiseman

Disenfranchised by Julie Shavin

Nothing Ever Happens in a Car by Jim McGarrah

micrographie by Patrick Gaouyat

Shirley Xu Interviews Patrick Gaouyat

Rachel Nix Interviews Timothy Green of Rattle


Sam Slaughter July 2015Sam Slaughter is a writer based in Columbia, South Carolina. He received his BA from Elon University and his MA from Stetson University. He is currently at work on his MFA at the University of South Carolina. His fiction and nonfiction have appeared in a variety of places, including Midwestern Gothic, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, and Heavy Feather Review. He was awarded the 2014 Best of There Will Be Words and his debut chapbook When You Cross That Line was published in May 2015. His debut short story collection God in Neon will be published by Lucky Bastard Press in late 2015 and his debut novel, Dogs, will be published in 2016 by Double Life Press. He loves playing with puppies and a good glass of bourbon.

FacebookTwitterGoogle+Share

Issue #16 – He Said/She Said

Cover 16 Final Large
Guest Editor Spotlight

The Dinner Was Lovely
by Adam Rodenberger

Art, Poetry, & Literature

Goa & Interview
by Ricardo Porto

Amelia Earhart Leaves Her Husband
by Krista Cox

Cinderella Snubs a Handout
by Elizabeth Johnston

The Cactus on the Acropolis
by Fred Zirm

A Place to Turn Around
by William Auten

Waltz Trio
by Tarkan Şendal

Couplet
by John Sokol

I Listen to a Woman Read a Poem about HIV…
by Linda Blaskey

Miss Deepfreeze 1953
by Ann Cefola

Self-Censorship & Crosswords
by Dimitri Dimov

Remembrance
by Laura Schmidt

You Probably Think This Poem Is about You
by Tovah Leah Green

Losing Faith
by Kimberly Emilia

Netherworld
by Thomas Schoenberger

Before the Movie
by Liz Purvis

Bonus Free Download:

Interview

Kate Garrett of Pankhearst & three drops from a cauldron

Book Reviews


About Our Guest Editor

Paul BeckmanPaul Beckman has had over 200 stories published online, in print and via audio and video. In 2014 he won the honorable mention prize for his flash fiction story in Ascent Aspirations. He’s had one collection of stories, two chapbooks, plus a novella published and in 2015 will have his collection of flash fiction, “Peek”, published by Big Table Publishing.

His stories have appeared in many anthologies and magazines such as: Metazen, Thrice Fiction, Connecticut Review, The Boston Literary Magazine, Pure Slush, cahoodaloodaling, Playboy, The Brooklyner, and Connotation Press amongst others. He can be read and reached at his published story website paulbeckmanstories.com.

FacebookTwitterGoogle+Share

Issue #15 – Travelogue

Travelogue Cover Final
Travel Genre, an Essay

by Jim Ross

Guest Editor Spotlight
Pale Blue Dot
by Ruth Foley

Art, Poetry, & Literature

Bike Nation
by Dragos Ioneanu

Ankara
by David Russomano

Lunar
by Winston Plowes

The Prairie Demons
by Stephenson Muret

Twenty-seven, Twenty-four
by Maureen Alsop

From Visiting Day on the Psychiatric Ward
by Alan Catlin

This is Traverse City
by Becca Hawk

Cedar Key
by Peter Hurtgen Jr.

Safari through Southern California
by Vakseen

Salkantay
by Claire Ibarra

Waltz of the Romanovs
by Sophie Jupillat

Beggars
by Kenneth Robbins

Olive Wood
by Linda Caldwell Lee

A Place to Call Home
by Derold Sligh

Bonus Free Download:

Cover Artist: Travelogue
by Marenne Hoeksema

Interview
Kevin Rodriguez of Bop Dead City

Book Reviews

 


About Our Guest Editor

April Michelle Bratten HeadshotOriginally from Marrero, Louisiana, April Michelle Bratten has a BA in English from Minot State University in North Dakota, where she currently resides.

The daughter of an USAF active duty father, April grew up traveling and living across the United States and abroad. Her travels have greatly influenced her writing over the years, particularly her three year stay in Incirlik, Turkey. April adores the quiet beauty of the upper-midwest prairies, but she feels the most at home in the American deep south.

Her publications include decomP, Thrush Poetry Journal, Southeast Review, Stirring, Sheepshead Review, and Punchnel’s, among others. She is the Supreme Empress of Up the Staircase Quarterly and a contributing editor at Words Dance Publishing.

April’s next chapbook, Anne with an E, is forthcoming from dancing girl press in 2015. Her other chapbooks include Raw Dogs and Other Metaphors (Maverick Duck Press, 2012) and Drink This (Citizens for Decent Literature Press, 2012.) Her first full length poetry collection, It Broke Anyway, is available now from NeoPoiesis Press.

FacebookTwitterGoogle+Share

Issue #14 – The Animal Becomes Us

Play Editor’s Letter

 

Cover Image by Jenny Schukin


Guest Editor Spotlight:
Lucky Cat
by N. West Moss

Art, Poetry, & Literature

Blessings
by Jenny Schukin

Ritual
by Elaine Wang

Among the Animals
by Susannah Carlson

An Old Dog Teaches My Dog to Swim
by Elizabeth Johnston

From Leave of Absence
by Sally Deskins & Laura Madeline Wiseman

Whale Song @ 52 Hz
by William James

What Toast
by M. Mack

Quanta Smears
by Robert Bharda (Ward)

Great Blue Heron
by Martin Elster

Brazen Bull
by Melinda Dubbs

The Color of Tarsiers
by Clinton Crockett Peters

Totoro
by Natalya Sukhonos

Creative Spark
By Luis Sanchez Saturno

Bonus Free Download: Morgan Bears Up
by Donald Dewey

Book Reviews

Temporary Champions
by Darren C. Demaree

Don’t Forget Me, Bro
by John Michael Cummings


About Our Guest Editor
KristinKristin Nehs grew up tangled between Tennessee and Florida and has the Dollywood memorabilia and sawgrass scars to prove it. She holds an MFA from Oregon State in one hand and a cello in the other. Her interests include sordid human affairs and pontificating. In her spare time she wrangles cats.

FacebookTwitterGoogle+Share

Issue #13 – SLAM IT!

 

Play Editor’s Letter

1 - slapped
Guest Editor’s Spotlight:
I Slept in the Middle of the Bed Last Night
by Blythe Cooper

Time Is Of
by Jhaki M.S. Landgrebe

Brick
by Paul Beckman

Tonight I Am Old Again
by Cailin Rhiannon

Women of Pride
by Amoxes

You Are, You Will Be
by Orooj-e-Zafar

The Fallout
by Katie Simpson

The Death of Marilyn Monroe
by Carlton D. Fisher

What Is This Thing Called Love
by Holly Day

Stream
by Gravity


About Our Guest Editor
LalliJason Lalli, AKA Lalli, is the co-founder/entertainment chair of the Phoenix Festival of the Arts, creator and host of Infuse – Open Mic, 3-time author, and is one of Phoenix’s veteran spoken word artists. He uses his gift for poetry as a form of motivational speaking and believes a person does not need to have money to give back to their community. He utilizes his abilities, voice, and networks to their fullest potential in an attempt to make our world a better place. He can be found at: www.lalli-poet.com

FacebookTwitterGoogle+Share

Issue #12 – The Repeat Review

 

Editor’s Note

new69

Guest Editor’s Spotlight:
Dark Spot
by Aaron Hawkins

What Emily Said
by Katherine Ringley

For Mama
by Tony Brown

A Practical Guide to Building and Maintaining an Office Relationship
by Karen Jakubowski

A Blazing Hat
by Ronald Ray

Neon Collision
by Chrystal Berche

Changeling
by Kate Garrett

Saugus, Embassy of the 2nd Muse
by Tom Sheehan

The Eyes in Our House
by Kim Peter Kovac


About Our Guest Editor
Natalie EastonNatalie Easton is a poet from Connecticut. She is our “repeat” editor, from Issue #7 – Family. Her work has appeared at Up the Staircase Quarterly, Foundling Review, and is forthcoming at Rust + Moth. Her chapbook, The Leavings, will be available soon from Crisis Chronicles Press. You can find her at www.natalieeaston.com.

FacebookTwitterGoogle+Share

Issue #11 – It Happened in a Flash!

Flash Story by Kelly Nicole

Guest Editor’s Spotlight:
I Want to Laugh
by Paul Beckman

Grit in Your Eyes
by Stephanie Valente

Andromeda
by Kira Ciupek


About Our Guest Editor

Heather Bell

Heather Bell

Heather Bell’s work has been published in Rattle, Grasslimb, Barnwood, Poets/Artists, Red Fez, Ampersand and many others. She was nominated for the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Pushcart Prize from Rattle, won the New Letters 2009 Poetry Prize, and most recently was a finalist for the 2013 Consequence Prize in Poetry. Heather has also published four books, including one of flash fiction. Any more details can be found here: http://hrbell.wordpress.com/

FacebookTwitterGoogle+Share

Issue #10 – Inspired by the Artist

Editor’s Note
cover-10

Guest Editor’s Spotlight:
Aubade
by C.J. Matthews

Little Yellow Horses
by Neil Ellman

Senior Citizens at the Retirement Center Discuss John Ashbery’s “More Reluctant”
by Faith Paulsen

Cubism
by Deborah Edler Brown

Anaïs Nin. A Poem. Unread.
by m.f. nagel

The City
by Najia Khaled


About Our Guest Editor

Mighty Jess

Mighty Jess

Jessica Lindsay began poetry the same way she began photography: when someone told her “Hey, you’re pretty good.” Of course, “pretty good” in seventh grade was actually morbidly bad, and it wasn’t until her junior year of high school that she realized that poetry could be something more than teenage angst. So her poetry turned more into snapshots of her life, and when her interest in photography grew, her writing hit a rather large block that she constantly struggles to get through. Well, that and inner peace doesn’t really give an emotional writer much to work with.

To date, all of her favorite poems happen to be the ones about her very dysfunctional family. Figures. She is currently trying to write a novel, but that is forever a work in progress simply because she always wants to skip to the “good stuff”.

She is very shy about people in her life reading her poetry, so it can only be found on Jessicaconk.deviantart.com. She was once published in her community college’s lit mag and got honorable mention for a horrible story back in eighth grade.

FacebookTwitterGoogle+Share

Issue #9 – Speculative

Editor’s Note
issue-9

Guest Editor’s Spotlight:
The Loneliest Road
by Martin Elster
 

Haiku
by Denny Marshall

Heroic End
by Richard King Perkins II

A Different Beginning
by John J. Brugaletta

Man in the Moon
by Camille Griep


About Our Guest Editor

fancy_a_cuppa Najia Khaled is a poetess who enjoys reading, playing ukulele, and drinking more tea than is probably strictly good for you. She attends University of Rochester and is working on a double major in English literature and astrophysics, the latter of which finds ways to sneak into her poetry rather often.

She can be found devouring the poetry of Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, Sandra Cisneros, and Edna St. Vincent Millay at all hours of the night in all manner of strange and indecent clothing. Her hair is rarely the same colour two weeks in a row, which she claims is due to her identity as a Metamorphmagus, but her closest friends swear that they have found empty bottles of Manic Panic in her rubbish bin. She rejects the strict and oppressive beauty standards of the modern day in favour of the strict and oppressive beauty standards of 200 years ago, which is exactly as pretentious as it sounds.

She has been published by Creative Communication, Anthology of Poetry, Inc., and Word Smiths, among others, but the best place to find her is at http://toxic-nebulae.deviantart.com/. Some say that she can be invoked by sprinkling glitter over a field of wildflowers at dawn, but these rumours have yet to be confirmed.

FacebookTwitterGoogle+Share