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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’s 10th Edition features 40 writers – New Submissions period is open

23 Saturday Dec 2017

Posted by Wilson Wyatt Jr. in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, Poetry, The Delmarva Review, Uncategorized, Writing

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Anthology, Authors, Best Writing, Birth, Book Reviews, Change, Chesapeake, Death, Delmarva Review, Eastern Shore Writers, Essays, Fiction, Future, Hope, Inspiration, Literary Magazines, Love, Nonfiction, Poetry, Prose, Recovery, Schizophrenia, Short Stories, Submissions

DR-V10-Cover-Web-sig

I am pleased to publish “Delmarva Review” announcements on my blog, as chairman of the editorial board and executive editor.  All of us are proud of its continued progress over 10 years to publish outstanding literary work. – Wilson Wyatt

Delmarva Review announced publication of its tenth annual literary journal presenting original poetry, short stories and nonfiction from 40 authors in 18 states. The Review welcomes submissions from all writers.

“The tenth anniversary issue touches on the themes of change and hope,” said Emily Rich, editor of the tenth edition. “Amidst the uncertainties of life, people grasp for what is eternal in the human condition.”

The 2017 first place winner of Chesapeake Voices Prose Contest is featured in this edition. The short story, “The Future is Not For Sale,” by Jeremy Griffin, of South Carolina, was hailed by contest judge Laura Oliver, of Maryland, as “sophisticated with especially strong characterization.”

Editors selected 41 new poems, 11 short stories, five nonfiction essays, and five book reviews for the tenth edition.

Since its first year, the journal has printed the original literary work of over 280 authors. Some are newly discovered. In all, they have come from 35 states, the District of Columbia, and 10 other countries. About half are from the Delmarva and Chesapeake region. Fifty-three works have been nominated for a Pushcart Prize, and some have received notable mentions in anthologies and critical journals.

Delmarva Review is published by the Delmarva Review Literary Fund (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit), supported by individual contributions and a grant from the Talbot County Arts Council, with funds from the Maryland State Arts Council.

The submission period for the 2018 issue is open now through March 31, 2018. Submission guidelines are posted on the website www.delmarvareview.com.

The journal produces print and electronic editions. Both are available worldwide via Amazon.com and other online booksellers. It is downloadable in a digital format for tablets, computers, smart phones, and other reading devices. Two-year subscriptions are available at a discount through the website. 

Delmarva Review’s New Cover – 10th Anniversary

16 Saturday Sep 2017

Posted by Wilson Wyatt Jr. in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, The Delmarva Review, Writing

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Books, Chesapeake Bay, Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, District of Columbia, Fiction, Literary Arts, Literary Journals, Literary Magazines, Maryland, Nonfiction, Photography, Poetry, shucked oysters, Virginia

Photographer Calvin “Cal” Jackson’s color image “Recycle” was selected for the tenth anniversary cover of the Delmarva Review, to be published on November 1.

Photograph “Recycle” by Cal Jackson – Click on photo for full size image

Cal Jackson’s cover image “Recycle” shows shucked oyster shells, in rustic old bushels, to spread on bay oyster beds, providing a solid hold for oyster larvae and a future crop of oysters. The photographer, from Easton, MD exhibits at galleries and shows in Baltimore, Easton, Cambridge and Chestertown, MD, as well as Brooklyn, New York. He’s a retired accountant and former audit manager for information technology with the U.S. Army.

The Delmarva Review is a nonprofit literary journal publishing compelling new poetry, fiction and nonfiction from writers within the region and beyond. It celebrates its 10th anniversary edition in November. The Review is supported by the Eastern Shore Writers Association, individual contributions, and a grant from the Talbot County Arts Council with funds from the Maryland State Arts Council.

The next submission period for literary work and cover art is from November 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018, for the eleventh edition. See the website for information, at www.delmarvareview.com.

Reminder to Writers – Submissions to The Delmarva Review

12 Thursday Feb 2015

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

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All Writers, Best American Essays, Delaware, Digital Edition, District of Columbia, Eastern Shore Writers Education Foundation, Essays, ESWA, Fiction, Literary Journal, Magazines, Maryland, Nonfiction, Poetry, Print Edition, Pushcart Prize, Virginia, Washington, Writing

Covers -The Delmarva Review, a literary journal

Covers -The Delmarva Review, a literary journal    Click on photo for larger image

Only two weeks left for writers to submit their best poetry and prose to The Delmarva Review.  Website: www.delmarvareview.com. February 28 is the deadline for poetry, short fiction, and nonfiction submissions.

Over its seven-year history, The Delmarva Review has published outstanding new literary work by 168 authors from 27 states, the District of Columbia, and nine foreign countries. The printed journal has included 200 poems, 43 short stories, 24 essays, and 27 book reviews. Thirty-six authors earned nominations for a Pushcart Prize and other awards, including recognition in “The Best American Essays.”

Published in print and electronic editions by the Eastern Shore Writers Education Foundation (www.easternshorewriters.org), the Review is available to readers worldwide via all major online booksellers (Amazon.com,BarnesandKnoble.com, Apple, etc.). All writers are welcome. Selection is competitive.

Take advantage of the opportunity to be considered for publication…by Feb. 28

The Delmarva Review . . . Every cover has a story

26 Friday Sep 2014

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

≈ 1 Comment

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Delaware, District of Columbia, Eastern Shore Writers Association, Fiction, Literary Review, Maryland, Nonfiction, Poetry, The Delmarva Review, Virginia, Washington, Writers

Covers of The Delmarva Review

Covers of The Delmarva Review

Coming in October, the seventh edition of The Delmarva Review literary journal features the work of 40 contributors from 14 states, Washington, D.C., and Italy.  Website http://www.delmarvareview.com.  More news to come.

Celebrating “The Delmarva Review’s” sixth year

02 Saturday Nov 2013

Posted by Wilson Wyatt Jr. in Poetry, The Delmarva Review, Writing, Writing and publishing today

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All Writers, Amazon.com, Amy Abrams, Anne Colwell, Book Reviews, Celebration, Compelling Writing, Digital Edition, Eastern Shore Writers Association, Fiction, Harold Wilson, Kimberly Bushey, Margot Miller, Nonfiction, Poetry, Print Edition, Prose, Publishing, Sue Ellen Thompson, The Delmarva Review, The News Center, William Peak, www.delmarvareview.com

The Delmarva Review

The Delmarva Review, Volumes 1 – 6

Writers gathered on the Eastern Shore for poetry readings and a special thank you to the 135 authors published in The Delmarva Review over six years. As executive editor, I was pleased to announce the official opening of the submission period for the 2014 issue, Volume 7 (see the website to submit work: www.delmarvareview.com).

Last night’s festive crowd of writers met the editors and the publisher, representatives of the Eastern Shore Writers Association, at a public reception held at The News Center bookstore, in Easton, Maryland.

All of us at the Review believe the best writing has no borders. We have published compelling new literary prose and poetry from 135 authors over the first six years. In all, writers have come from 23 states, the District of Columbia, and eight other countries. About two-thirds are from the Delmarva and Chesapeake region. Twenty-four have been nominated for a Pushcart Prize.

Primed with cider, light refreshments, and home-baked cookies, the audience was treated to readings from the Review’s Poetry Editor, Anne Colwell, from Milton, Delaware, and poet William Peak, of Easton, one of the contributing authors to the 2013 issue. It was a delightful way to start the new writing season.

The literary journal is published in print and digital editions. The Delmarva Review, Vol. 6, downloadable edition is now available on Amazon.com. The link is: http://www.amazon.com/The-Delmarva-Review-Vol-6-ebook/dp/B00G390V0G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383423047&sr=8-1&keywords=the+delmarva+review+vol.+6

For those who could not attend the celebration, I’ll share some photos by my photographer wife Katie Wyatt:

Poetry Editor Anne Colwell reading at the Review's Sixth Annual Celebration

Poetry Editor Anne Colwell reading at the Review’s celebration of six years of publishing – click on photo for larger image

Author William Peak reading his poetry in Vol. 6, The Delmarva Review

Author William Peak reading his poetry in Vol. 6, The Delmarva Review – click on photo for larger image

Co-Fiction Editors Margot Miller and Harold Wilson discuss the current Issue of the Review

Co-Fiction Editors Margot Miller and Harold Wilson discuss the new issue of the Review    – click on photo for larger image

Co-Fiction Editor Amy Abrams talks to poet Sue Ellen Thompson, a contributing author to the Review

Co-Fiction Editor Amy Abrams, left, talks to poet Sue Ellen Thompson, a contributing author to past issues of Review – click on photo for larger image

Editorial Advisor Gerald Sweeney, president of the Eastern Shore Writers Association, welcomes writers to the event

Editorial Advisor Gerald Sweeney, President of the Eastern Shore Writers Association, welcomes writers to the event – click on photo for larger image

Executive Editor Wilson Wyatt with Kimberly Bushey, Manager of The News Center bookstore

The Review’s Executive Editor Wilson Wyatt with Kimberly Bushey, Manager of The News Center bookstore – click on photo for larger image

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The Delmarva Review Announces Sixth Literary Journal

24 Thursday Oct 2013

Posted by Wilson Wyatt Jr. in Poetry, Writing

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Aging, Anne Colwell, Beauty, Book Reviews, Fiction, Freedom, Healing, Jehanne Dubrow, John Barth, Life's Unanticipated Consequences, Literary Journal, Loss, Love, Margaret Adams, Nonfiction, Personal Essays, Personal Identity, Poetry, Ron Capps, The Delmarva Review, veteranswriting.org

The Delmarva Review, Vol. 6 - 2013

The Delmarva Review, Vol. 6 – 2013

The Delmarva Review announced its sixth annual literary review presenting new prose and poetry from 23 authors. In all, they come from nine states and the District of Columbia.

“From the hundreds of submissions, we selected stories and poetry expressing the human themes of healing, aging, independence, loss, love, and a sense of place,” said Wilson Wyatt, executive editor. “The cover photograph, Coming, Going, by Christopher Woods, suggests a metaphor of opening the door to imaginative writing.”

The nonprofit literary journal publishes distinctive poetry, short stories, and nonfiction in print and digital editions. It also reviews a selection of new books.

The editors selected Ron Capps, founder of the Veterans Writing Project, as this issue’s featured writer for his powerful personal essay, “Writing My Way Home.” The essay will relate to the many thousands of veterans who have returned from combat with physical and psychological wounds, while it shows how writing can help everyone to heal from the scars of adversity.

Poetry editor Anne Colwell expanded the poetry in this issue. Thirty-one poems from 11 poets represent a wide range of poetic voice and form. Many of the poems are about how life experiences, art, or even age change the way a person perceives the world. “They lead us to unexpected moments of beauty and insight,” said Colwell.

The fiction section contains seven short stories. Beginning with “Undertow,” by Margaret Adams, readers are offered a penetrating view of self-esteem and misunderstanding. A flash fiction piece probes the subject of personal identity. In all, the stories explore freedom, aging, loss, and life’s unanticipated consequences.

The editors selected three books by regional authors to review, including a current novel by John Barth, poetry by Jehanne Dubrow, and a trilogy of stories by Sophie Moss.

In addition to Wyatt and Colwell, the editorial board includes: Harold Wilson, Margot Miller and Amy Abrams, as fiction editors, George Merrill, nonfiction editor, Mary Ann Hillier, submissions administrator, Melanie Rigney and Gerald Sweeney, editorial advisors, Jeanne Pinault, copy editor, Charleen Marcum, proofreader, and Laura Ambler, for layout and design.

The Delmarva Review is produced with the support of subscribers, contributors, and the publisher, the Eastern Shore Writers Association. The association is a nonprofit organization supporting writers and the literary arts across the Delmarva Peninsula.

“We are indebted to the remarkable talents and spirit of the writers, editors, and designer as we present this volume to the eyes of your imagination,” said Wyatt.

The editors encourage writers to consider submitting their best work. The next submission period opens November 1 and closes on February 28, 2014. Submissions are competitive. Publication of an author’s work in The Delmarva Review represents a significant literary achievement.

Single issues of the Review are $10 each plus $2 for postage. Two-year subscriptions are $20 postpaid. An order form is available on the website: www.delmarvareview.com, or by writing: The Delmarva Review, P.O. Box 544, St. Michaels, MD 21663.

A digital edition of The Delmarva Review, Vol. 6, for download to electronic reading devices, is available on Amazon.com.

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The Value of a Literary Review…along the road to good writing

07 Sunday Oct 2012

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

≈ 2 Comments

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Fiction, Literary Arts, Literary Writing, Nonfiction, Paul Soderberg, Poetry, Publishing, Secret World of Literary Reviews, The Delmarva Review, Writing

The Delmarva Review, vol.5 – 27 authors, nine states, D.C., and three other countries

The Delmarva Review published its fifth annual edition of prose and poetry this week, rising competently at the far end of the writing spectrum, known to discerning readers as literary writing.  I say the “far end” of the spectrum, because it is the place reserved for literature as an art.  This is the place where art and craft combine in the writer’s quest for excellence…aspired to by many, but attained by few.

That sounds intimidating, and perhaps it is to some writers.  But to others it is a rewarding journey.  A literary journal like The Delmarva Review attracts hundreds and hundreds of submissions for the few that are finally published.  Of course, there are space limitations.  For the aspiring and persevering writer, publication in the review is a well-deserved achievement.  Even the best writers receive rejections, but selection for publication is always an occasion to be celebrated.

The Delmarva Review is one of some 3,300 literary reviews around the world.  That sounds like a lot.  But, when you consider there are over 200,000 commercial magazines in production, literary reviews are, indeed, at the small end of the spectrum. It’s interesting that they are growing in numbers, not diminishing.

For those who would like to know more about literary reviews, their purpose and history, I recommend an excellent article by an experienced editor-writer, Paul Soderberg, “The Secret World of Literary Journals,” available to read online at: http://thefeatheredflounder.com/2012/05/the-secret-world-of-literary-journals/

Today, as I and my talented editorial associates stuff envelopes with copies of  The Delmarva Review, to be on their way to readers, this concludes a year of difficult work. “Difficult” because it has been a year of choosing the final stories, essays, and poetry to publish in our fifth edition.  However, like for the authors, it is an occasion to celebrate.  The reward is treating our writers with the respect they deserve and producing a literary journal of quality for readers with high expectations.

We will now wait…and wait…for the comments…for our own critical review.  For you see, even the editors can face rejection.

Of interest to writers, the submission period for the sixth issue of the Review is from November 1, 2012 to February 28, 2013. We publish a print edition as well as a downloadable digital edition, available at Amazon.com. You can see the website for copies, guidelines and a submission link: www.delmarvareview.com

As executive editor of The Delmarva Review, I am thankful for the remarkable talent and generous spirit of all the people who worked on this edition.  All contributed as volunteers.  They include fiction editors Margot Miller and Harold Wilson, nonfiction editor George Merrill, poetry editors Amanda Newell and the late John Elsberg, managing editor Mala Burt, designer Laura Ambler,  copyeditor Jeanne Pinault, and our prose readers, who help to discover the best work. Thank you, as well, to our publisher, the Eastern Shore Writers Association, a nonprofit organization that supports and believes in the literary arts.

Back and front cover – The Delmarva Review, vol. 5  (Click on image to enlarge)

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