Recently, I helped in the creation and production of the Community College of Philadelphia’s literary magazine: Limited Editions. My professor Julie Odell led the charge with Evan Judah as the Photography Editor, Luis Acosta as the Graphic Designer, and yours truly as the Literary Editor.

It wasn’t easy. There was some really great submissions in poetry particularly, but in the end, the editorial team (Natalie Dickinson and Royal Earvin, thanks again) all agreed that what made it in was the best to print.

I always wanted to be a part of a literary magazine, and now that I have, it may be something I do in the future more consistantly. I had a great time and learned a lot about the publishing process, particularly these two points:

• Sometimes you can write something that blows the pants off of two of the judges, but the other three just aren’t on board so it doesn’t get in.
• Sometimes you can write something that blows the pants off of all of the judges, but sometimes you still won’t get published because it’s the wrong “theme” for the magazine or they’re already maxed out on fiction/poetry submissions.

The point is, sometimes, after you submit to a magazine that you really want to get published in…you don’t. Sometimes, you get that form letter rejection notice in the mail that says “Thank you but unfortunately…” and you think that it’s because of you or what you submitted. Maybe it was, but maybe it wasn’t. Maybe you really impressed the judges but there was some outlying factor that prevented you from making the magazine. It doesn’t always come down to “if it’s good”.

Keep writing, keep editing, keep working, and keep learning – that’s the best advice you can follow. If you do that you’ll get published.

On a side note: those that are attending college right now or even know of local literary magazines near them, it would be beneficial for you to volunteer some of your time to them. Publishing other writers makes you a better writer yourself.

I’ve been thinking about posting something on here for a short while so I may as well do it. There is always a fear that’s involved after you haven’t written in a while. A fear that’s similar to a weight lifter who’s been out of the gym too long, or an athlete recovering from a serious injury: can I still do it? Let’s find out.

After returning to college to pursue an English degree in hopes of becoming a better (more exposed) writer I’m happy to say that I am successfully halfway through that program. It hasn’t been easy, but I have learned a lot, and even won two Judith Stark awards. The winners haven’t yet been announced for this semester so here’s hoping for another “Look Who’s Talking About Me Again” post.

I’ve also volunteered myself to be the lead Literary Editor for Limited Editions, a literary/photo magazine produced by the good folks over at the Student Life and Activities office at the Community College of Philadelphia. More on that later.

And after an extremely long hiatus I’ve succumbed the courage to open up the ole work-in-progress. I gave it a solid read and decided that maybe, possibly, I might just do a little bit of writing in it before it begins to collect dust again. Perhaps.

That’s it for now but stay tuned because I promise to keep this blog updated with more frequency than the once a year posting of late. Probably.