Weekly Roundup: Aug 2, 2024
Weekly Roundup: Aug 2, 2024
Thinking about dreams and aspirations
I’ve never wanted children. My own childhood experiences have left me pretty traumatized and fragile. Taking care of myself is difficult enough as it is. If I had to take care of other humans, I know I’d fail. And then what would be the difference between me and my parent? Sometimes, to stop the cycle of trauma, you must break the cycle. I’m breaking that cycle.
Or maybe that’s the story I tell myself to hide from the fact that I’ve never wanted to be responsible for anyone else but me.
Or maybe it’s both.
Looking back, I don’t think anyone ever taught me to be a good person.
I’ve been taught to say “thanks” but not “feel” thankful.
I’ve been taught to be obedient but not use critical thinking to figure out who’s deserving of such a thing.
I’ve been taught to show respect but not respect myself.
I’ve been taught to fear but not show kindness.
Acts of charity were used to feel superior but not as a way to bring balance into this unjust world where privilege is just a random stroke of luck.
I was taught of God’s wrath but not Allah’s mercy.
I was encouraged to be the best in the most mediocre sense of the word: do good in school, get good grades, listen to your elders no matter how messed up their demands are, grow up, get a job, get married, have kids, take care of your parents and love them even if they’re vicious to you, and then die.
Everything… and I mean, EVERYTHING is wrong with that picture.
That is not how we’re supposed to live.
I won’t have kids, but if I ever had the opportunity to impart any knowledge to another human being, I’d tell them to dream of the unthinkable.
I’d tell them to forgo the dream of mediocrity.
I’d tell them to seek out moments of discomfort.
I’d tell them to get used to pulling the rug from under their feet with their own hands because nobody ever changed the world from the comfort granted by the status quo.
And I’d tell them to keep doing that until they draw their last breath.
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.)
Geist: They’re now open for submissions through August 26. They accept all the usual genres (poetry, fiction, nonfiction, hybrid, etc.). Geist focuses on publishing Canadian writers. Pay: $100 per poem and $300 - $1,000 per prose, depending on length.
Trampset: They’re looking for short fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Prose should not be more than 3,000 words. Pay: $25 via PayPal only.
Arts & Letters: They’re accepting poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. You have until January 31, so yeah… no rush. Pay: $10 per page ($50 minimum).
Gordon Square Review: They’re open now through Oct 1 and accepting poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and art. Pay: $15 honorarium.
Flash Frog: They accept flash fiction pieces under 1,000 words year-round. Pay: $25 via PayPal only.
Vestal Review: They accept flash fiction under 500 words. Deadline: November 1. Pay: $75 via PayPal.
Nashville Review: They’re open from August 1 through August 31 and accept poetry, fiction, nonfiction, art, and more. Pay: $100 per prose and $25 per poem.
Southern Humanities Review: They’re now accepting poetry, fiction, and nonfiction through October 15. Pay: $50 per prose and $25 per poem.
Orange Blossom Review: Tight window. They closing submissions for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry on August 15. Pay: no.
Cream City Review: They’re open for poetry, fiction, and nonfiction submissions through October 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.***
That’s it for today.
Hope you have a restful weekend. Stay sharp, stay hopeful, and keep doing the good work in whatever capacity you’re able to.