The world doesn’t make any sense to me these days. The people around me do not either. It only takes one person to pull a trigger and I can’t figure out why someone would willingly choose to do that. An entire profession of people that was created to be our protectors has now become our executors.
Selfishness abounds and what’s worse is that I’m not immune to the same type of selfishness I abhor in others. My life perfectly mirrors the satanic algorithm that takes me from images of mangled body parts to ads for vegan makeup one thumb swipe at a time. One moment I feel like the world is ending, and the next, I’m devising new tricks to market my online course so I can make more money.
The climate is, thankfully, still somewhat predictable, although… not sure for how long. People talk about AI robbing us of our jobs. But I don’t think we have to worry about that for long because it may just rob us of drinking water soon enough.
Oh well.
It was in the high eighties just yesterday, and today, on the last day of summer, it is below seventy where I am.
Fall is here.
On a lighter note…
There are days when I wonder… pretty seriously… whether I should try for an MFA. Today is one of those days. Should I apply for an MFA? Is it even necessary? I mean, will an MFA actually make me a better writer? Should I just… I don’t know… memorize the dictionary with my time instead?
Don’t laugh… it’s something I think about often and quite sincerely too. Both the MFA thing and memorizing the dictionary thing.
If you have an MFA or are thinking about getting it, hop on the comments and share your thoughts, please.
Before I share open submission calls….
Iron Horse Literary Review is looking for volunteer associate editors for fiction and poetry. Details in this tweet, in case you’re interested.
Curated Opportunities
These opportunities focus on creative and sometimes magazine writing. I try to include a mix of super high-profile and indie publications that are more beginner-friendly. (Click the names of the publications for detailed submission guidelines.)
Host Publications: I don’t include these sorts of calls, but today I have a short list… and also, who knows… maybe some of you will find it useful. They’re accepting collections (poetry/short stories) or novellas. Deadline: Oct 15. Pay: $2,500.
Rumpus: They’re always open for reviews of recently published fiction, nonfiction, and literary books. Pay: some.
Sand: They’re now accepting short stories, flash fiction/nonfiction, translation, and visual art… until Sep 30. Pay: Smol pay based on their funding.
Atlanta Review: They’re accepting poetry until December 1. Pay: no.
Hunger Mountain: They accept poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid work. Their submission window will remain open until December 1. Pay: no.
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*** Note: I cannot always vet each of these publications, unfortunately. So, please do your due diligence and research. See if their values align with yours, if there are conditions/restrictions to who can or cannot pitch/submit, whether or not they’re a paying market, how much they pay, etc., if these things matter to you.***
Hope I’m not the only one enjoying a beautiful day and that you’re enjoying pleasant weather wherever you are.