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In support of Literary Journals…a free gift to all writers. By Wilson Wyatt, Executive Editor, Delmarva Review

21 Thursday Feb 2019

Posted by Wilson Wyatt Jr. in Inspiration, Maryland, The Delmarva Review, Uncategorized, Writing, Writing and publishing today

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Acceptance, Authors, Books, Commercial Magazines, Critics, Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, Discovery, Eastern Shore Writers Association, Editors, Essays, Fiction, Literary Arts, Literary Journal, Literary Magazines, Maryland, Nonfiction, Poetry, Rejection, Short Stories, The Writer's Center, Virginia, Writers

Delmarva Review, Volume 11 – evocative prose and poetry

One of the great ironies in the writing business is the persistent misunderstanding by many writers of the purpose of literary journals.  Message to writers: We’re not against you; we exist for you.

Here is a good example of the potential value of literary reviews. Recently I received a personal email from an aspiring poet thanking us, as the editors of Delmarva Review, for printing his work four years earlier. We had published six of his poems, as a collection, to show the strength of his voice. In his email, the poet explained that our belief in his work bolstered his perseverance to write his best work, which resulted in a publisher producing his first book, as well as his receiving a National Endowment for the Arts literary fellowship.

He was excited; he shared his exhilaration. As executive editor, I felt we had received the ultimate reward for our efforts. Delmarva Review had succeeded in meeting a major objective—to encourage writers in their pursuit of literary excellence. It was working.

However, my sense of satisfaction was short-lived.

Later that day, I attended a writers’ reading at a local library. I enjoy hearing authors tell their stories in their unique voice. One of the writers came up to me to complain, with some bitterness, that after several repeated rejections, that person would never again submit to our journal. It was disheartening, but I listened. I explained why acceptance in Delmarva Review was competitive and to keep trying. Reliance on high standards assures a publication that earns respect throughout the literary community. That respect is totally transferrable to the writers whose work we publish.

We receive thousands of submissions annually. At least two experienced editors or readers read every one of them (at no cost to the writer). If a writer’s work is accepted, it is an accomplishment. Our readers–who include writers, editors and teachers–should expect to read a higher quality of writing in a literary journal than in a standard commercial magazine or book.

Unfortunately, rejection is a necessary part of the process. Any way you say it, rejection is rejection.

About rejection – We editors often tell each other that experienced writers understand rejection. But, the truth is, we’re all human, and one of the fallacies of human behavior is the frequent inability by artists, experienced or not, to recognize and appraise the limits of their own writing. Self-appraisal of an author’s writing is usually tainted by bias. Hopefully, we all like our own work. That’s only the beginning. Developing the ability to make a realistic assessment and knowing where to market one’s work is very, very difficult. But, not to try assures the hardness of rejection.

Speaking for Delmarva Review, we created it for the benefit of writers. “Literary” refers to writing that rises to a high artistic level. Cutting through a lot of philosophical thought, it is simply the pursuit of the best of literary art and beauty.  It is beyond craft.  Literary journals help assure a societal pathway toward continued literary excellence.

The literary journal gives writers an opportunity to publish their best efforts, a place to showcase their highest aspirations, and to be recognized for it. At a time when so many commercial publications are retracting, or going out of business, journals offer a respected, permanent place to print the best writing a writer can create. We have no other agenda. We are independent. We are nonprofit, and our editors draw no salaries. We care about the appearance of the writer’s words on a printed page and the thoughts behind them. Above all, we hope that our discoveries become the discoveries of other discerning readers and publishers who actively seek the best writing they can find.

The benefit to us is the reward of knowing that we have encouraged writers to exceed by offering a possible venue for their most creative expression.

So…don’t give up. If you’re a writer, a literary journal like Delmarva Review is your friend. We take pleasure in discovering your best. Rejection may or may not be a part of that process. But, if you try, you may very well succeed at something very special, very fulfilling.

For information and submissions, see our new website: www.DelmarvaReview.org.

Delmarva Review publishes 8th edition . . . opens new submissions period for all writers

13 Friday Nov 2015

Posted by Wilson Wyatt Jr. in Inspiration, Maryland, Poetry, The Delmarva Review, Writing

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Acceptance, Best American Essays, Creative Nonfiction, Death, Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, Essays, Evocative Prose, Fiction, Grief, Healing, Individualism, Literary Journals, Loss, Maryland, Memoir, MidAtlantic States, Personal Essays, Poetry, Pushcart Prize Nomination, Sense of Place, Short Stories, Transgender, Virginia, Writing

Volume 8 - Evocative Prose and Poetry

The Delmarva Review, Volume 8 – Evocative Prose and Poetry 2015

The Delmarva Review announced publication of its eighth annual literary journal presenting compelling new prose and poetry from thirty-five writers in 12 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada.

“From the large number of submissions this year, we selected stories, essays, and poetry addressing a diversity of human themes, each one exploring the author’s unique voice and vision,” said Wilson Wyatt, executive editor.

The journal opens with a conversation between poetry editor Anne Colwell and poet Sue Ellen Thompson about Ms. Thompson’s celebrated book, They. Her poetry stirs deep human emotions while presenting family and generational issues of acceptance over raising a transgender child. The cover photograph by Portuguese photographer Jorge Pereira Rudolfoelias, illustrates the timely subject.

Other human themes addressed by the stories, essays, and poetry in this edition relate to individualism, birth, loss, death, grief, healing, and discovering one’s sense of place in a larger world.

Published by the Eastern Shore Writer’s Association (ESWA), the nonprofit Delmarva Review has published original work of 216 writers over an eight-year history. They have come from twenty-seven states, the District of Columbia, and nine other countries. The Review opened to all writers, regardless of residence, in 2007, in order to discover and publish outstanding new literary work.

The Review’s published work has earned thirty-seven nominations for a Pushcart Prize, as well as notable mentions in Best American Essays and critical journals.

For writers: the submissions period for new poetry, short stories, and creative nonfiction is open now through March 31, 2016, to be considered for the ninth annual edition. Selection is competitive. All submissions are made from the website’s Guidelines page at www.delmarvareview.com.

The Review’s print edition is available worldwide via Amazon.com and other online booksellers. It is also downloadable in a digital edition at Kindle for tablets, computers, smart phones, and other reading devices.

Publication is supported by private contributions, sales, and a grant from the Talbot County Arts Council, in Maryland.

Our Volunteers: The Delmarva Review is nonprofit and produced entirely by volunteers from the tri-state writing community. In addition to Wyatt, of St. Michaels, MD, and Colwell, of Milford, DE, the editorial board and advisors include managing editor Bill Gourgey, of St. Michaels and D.C., poetry reader Stacey Pounsberry, of DE, fiction co-editors Harold O. Wilson, of Chester, MD, and Cheril Thomas, of Easton, nonfiction co-editors George Merrill, of St. Michaels, and Cheryl Somers Aubin, of Vienna, VA, financial advisor Denise Clemons, of Lewes, DE, editorial advisors Gerald Sweeney, of Trappe, MD, and Emily Rich, of Arlington, VA and Secretary, MD, copyeditor Jodie Littleton, of Chestertown, and proofreader Charlene Marcum, of Easton. The cover designer was Laura Ambler, of Easton.

Additional information about the Review and the authors, is available on the website: www.delmarvareview.com.

You can get a copy now at:

The Delmarva Review, Volume 8

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