Here Comes The Sun

Years ago, I learned about The Sun magazine. The poems rarely disappointed with their careful craft, sense of humor, or poignant message. The thoughtful interviews and insightful stories kept me reading month after month. While I’ve subscribed to numerous literary magazines off and on over the years, I’ve consistently kept The Sun arriving in my mailbox.

I submit there every year or so, hoping maybe one day some of my writing might appear within the pages. As you can imagine, I’ve collected a nice pile of reject letters. But finally, I’ll be able to open up the May issue and see my poem “Chasing Hawks”. I’m beyond thrilled.

When have you opened your mailbox to good news?

South Dakota Review

Most of the time, I’m excited to get one poem placed within the pages of a great literary magazine, but South Dakota Review helped me accomplish something amazing: 4 poems in one publication! If you have a chance, pick up edition 57.1 to find my pieces, “The Cleansing,” “We Were Lucky that Thanksgiving Day,” “Albuquerque Transplants,” “Listening to George Strait On the Way Out of Town.”

What amazes you these days?

The Comstock Review

With summer vibes slowly coming to an end, it was refreshing to find The Comstock Review’s spring/ summer edition in my mailbox with my poem “Every Time I Read Kooser’s ‘Abandoned Farmhouse'” within its pages. A perfect home for this voyeuristic poem.

What exhilarates you in these last few days of summer?

Close, But No Cigar

One of my teachers in middle school used to say, “Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.” Yet, I’d also like to argue it might count in chapbook contests, too. I recently submitted a chapbook for the Jessie Bryce Niles and Comstock Review 35th Anniversary contest. My manuscript became a finalist, and I was notified that, while I didn’t get top honors, the judge had a difficult time deciding between my work and the winner. So, no, I didn’t earn the $1000 prize, but I did take home an honorable mention. And, the experience encourages me to keep going. Maybe at the beginning of the new year, this is the best thing we can have: hope.

When have you come close to an accomplishment?

Up on the Web!

In the midst of the return to school in person last spring, I hadn’t noticed that my poem “Homesick” had made its way to Flyway’s webpage for the Fall/Winter 2020 edition. If you have a chance, head on over to check it out.

What’s made you homesick before?

Go Gorillas!

If you’re not from Southeast Kansas, you might not know about the Pitt State Gorillas. And, you might not realize that Pitt State also runs the Midwest Quarterly. I’m excited to say that my poems, “Gravitational Waves” and “Folded Papers,” found a home there this summer. If you have a chance, check out their Summer 2021 issue.

What else has the end of summer brought you?

A Little Sugar

For most, 2021 began with a bit of a rocky start. And, I’d have to agree. Stepping back into the virtual classroom hasn’t been easy. However, like a spoon full of sugar, some recent publication news has helped make the medicine of the new semester go down a little easier.

In the past couple of weeks, I’ve learned my poem “Birth Control,” will be in Hunger Mountain, my poems “Gravitational Waves” and “Folded Papers” will appear in Midwest Quarterly Review, and my poem “Homesick” will be in Flyway.

I’m thrilled these poems found a happy home, and the news boosted my spirits in the middle of winter, just when things seem a little darker than usual.

What’s making your winter a little brighter these days?

Quarantine

In March, when the travel ban to Europe went into effect, my family and I were in Barcelona. After spending almost 48 hours in airports and airplanes, we returned to New Mexico and, with the help of some good friends bringing us supplies, quarantined for two weeks. Mutha Magazine picked up a poem that came from that experience. You can find “Two-week Quarantine” on their site included in a series about the pandemic.

What are your experiences while quarantining?

Mother’s Always Write, Right?

With school in full swing, I forgot to mention that I have a couple poems, “When I Tell Strangers I Have Twins” & “Ventricular Septal Defect,” in the babyhood section over at Mother’s Always Write. I’m happy these poems finally found a nice home, and the pictures they chose to set off the poems are perfect. If you have time, stroll on over and take a peek.

When did you last write?

A Bit of Good

Right now, it’s hard to find a glimmer of sunlight in all the darkness. But in the midst of this difficult time, I had a bit of good news. A few weeks ago, the spring edition of the Prairie Schooner came out and included two of my poems: “Acolytes” and “Less Like Miracles.” I was thrilled;  I’ve always wanted to get accepted in such a great magazine. Then, a couple weeks ago, I learned I’ll have two more poems published in Mother’s Always Write. I’ll keep you updated on their release.

What silver linings have come your way?