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Issue VI: Dreams of a Caged Bird garnered many beautiful submissions, and to honor these wonderful pieces of writing, we decided to feature the inner thoughts of our writers and what their pieces mean to them. Please keep in mind that not all submitters are featured due to their personal preference, but you can read their writing inside Issue VI. Note: Their social media handles are also listed in brackets if you want to support them. Poetry Prose Creative Non-fiction POETRY Afra - March (@zaraapens, @zaraytheartist) My piece "March" touches on the sensitive issue of bullying. It subtly shows how the narrator would have been an entirely different person, had she not been bullied/harassed. Also, this incident somehow prevents her from flying and pursuing her dreams the way she wanted to. Cairo Evans - the musings of a worm My poem is a first person story about a worm who dreams of seeing rain. They die in the rainstorm but are satisfied as it is their life's dream to be in the rain. I was thinking about birds, and somehow got to the phrase of "the early bird gets the worm". I wanted to write about the worm, as I believe even worms have aspirations and dreams as well. I feel like a worm in the grand scheme of the universe, so small, so unimportant. But I have dreams and I want to achieve them. Sumo - Caged spark within (@thesnugglyducklings604) Caged spark within', is about the wish of an artist to not let their voice, their 'spark' to be heard by the world because they think it won't light anybody's skies, and won't help anybody. But after a desperate plea of their inner voice, they decide to let it go into the world on its own, and even if the voice reaches only one soul, the artist's hungry heart and eager soul would get their due, and they would feel heard. Both these poems use flight as a medium of freedom and happiness as a way of breaking their cages. All of us cage our voices into the four walls of rationality or practicality, and so they burn in agony inside. Be it an empty relationship, or a caged inner voice, both of these need freedom from, and so, one should use optimism and happiness to uncage oneself from these. Sumo herself used to cage her voice, as she thought nobody would understand it the way she would. That is certain. But the thought, that many people would listen to her voice and have their own unique ways of understanding it, also drove her to let her voice fly into the sky, and have its own flight. Caged dreams have a way to ease the soul. And so they should be left free, for others to see their awe-some flight too. Kyra Allyson - starved (@lykasticker) I think my piece serves as the embodiment of desperation — similar to that of a caged bird. It illustrates a deep desire to be loved and cared for while highlighting the contrast between people in relationships, and those who drown in the shadows of isolation, which mimic the loneliness of a caged bird. I hope others who empathise with this piece can break out of their cage and seek lasting relationships. Kate Waters - Sandbox (@writinguntil) My piece is a poem I wrote after I lost several friends due to my disability. “She is a sandbox girl” is a poem about marching forward despite the pain that holds you down and escaping to build the life you deserve. Fatima Shad - Caged Lovebird (@fatimashadpoetry) This poem plays a vital role in displaying how the yearning for our long-distance beloveds can shatter us like sand's grains, yet we have all the courage to run towards them, even bare feet, walking on burning coals or a land under our feet that's blazing hot in the fire of our beloved's absence's ache. We do all that we can, but we must know if the person we're doing it for is worth the courage and efforts. Devon Webb - My Diginity (@devonwebbnz) 'My Dignity' is a self-empowering piece about standing your ground & maintaining kindness when 'caged' by the cruelty of others, & daring to dream of a better world. Tatum Bunker - I Plucked On My Own Feathers (@tatum_tot24601) This piece is about not accepting change and worrying about the future too much. Worries can be like a cage, they trap you and attempt to ensure that you can never break free. Ripping off my feathers, as stated in the poem, is a way of saying that I will stay wallowing in my own worries and misery. Ellen Alfredson - Lovely little bird, dream on dream on! (@_ellen.alfredson) My poem is about about being a big dreamer with a big passion for something (in my case writing), but feeling stuck because of where You live and how uninspired your surroundings are, and how they don’t have big dreams like you do, and because of that can’t really understand you. Therefore, the cage, and ”breaking free” means not letting your dreams, passions and goals be limited because of the lack of passion, inspiration, or support in your surroundings. The poem is also encouraging young people to dream on, dream wild, dream big and dream free, and pursue their passions, despite it all. When I saw the theme for this issue I knew immedietly what I wanted to write about. The poem is about being a big dreamer with a big passion, but feeling caged because of where you live and the people surrounding you. It’s about feeling uninspired, unsupported or not understood because of the people around you being ”non dreamers”, but still breaking free from the cage by not limiting your passions, dreams and goals because of them. I think many young artists of all sorts can relate to the feeling of people around you not understanding your passion, and my piece is about encouraging people to dream on anyway. To keep dream on, dream wild, dream big, and dream free, despite it all. I think my poem would fit in the magazine because it showcases the bird’s cage as a specific space where, instead of fueling your passion and dreams, you feel as If your dreams are sinking, but you dream on, dream on, dream on anyway. And you don’t step back from it, because your passion is leading you, and you know you’re going the right way. And so, dream on dream on! Ray Shubert - Heard (@down_the._.rabbit_hole, @the_library_archive) This poem displays the emotions of feeling trapped and alone inside yourself, and dreaming of something more. To me, this poem is about breaking out of your own self destruction and depression to grow and do great things. I was inspired by my own experiences with mental health struggles and how isolating and intense it is, especially feeling like you are facing everything alone and being scared to reach out for help for fear of judgement. I want to make an impact through my writing, and I aspire to help people know that they are never alone, and they can always be more than their struggles. Serennus - V. Morina - The colors of dreams (@serennus) It shows you the felling's of the bird and its efforts toward its dreams. I usually don't make any magazine submissions but this time was different, the theme of this one was what inspired me and gave me the urge of wanting to write something about it. How someone might relate is by listening to the feelings of the character in the poem, how the character felt and wanted to always reach for what they wished for. T. A. Jones - Write You Into Oblivion (@taj.the.poet, @tajthepoet95) Muses live on even when they shouldn't. And we provide them with shelter with our words. With our memories. But not all muses are good. Sometimes they leech, take, and dig themselves into our cores. To be honest, we shouldn't take it. Not when there's better people and things to write about. So I used this piece as a battle cry to let those muses leave through the words. Until they're gone and inspire no more. T.A. Jones - Black Phoenix (@taj.the.poet, @tajthepoet95) I wrote this piece with the intention of transformation and evolution through death. About Black death and how we elevate, intoxicate, and appreciate culture with everything we do. Black, brown, and forgotten communities fight for the right of remembrance and all that we do to be seen. I’m just happy that through this piece, the words got something out of me. Michelan "Mi·I·Mi" Le'Monier - When Did You Last Look at Heaven (@mi.i.mi07, @thinkingpositive07) "When Did You Last Look at Heaven?" is about remembering a time of peace. Often we get stuck in this endless cycle of "grind culture" for the sake of survival; which, while it is important to have a livelihood, the constant motion of work takes us away from moments of stillness, rest, and appreciation creating a sense of martyrdom. In this poem, I sit in the last moment I felt life was still and dream to create a life that is filled with moments like that. And sometimes, that can feel unattainable given the demands of everyday life. This poem was created during a moment of self-reflection. It was inspired by conversations I've had with other adults (primarily young adults adjusting to adult life) who are navigating life changes and transitions, but don't have a lot of space to process said experiences. And because BIPOC people are often under-resourced, there is little support (at least that is widely known) to help them. As someone who is fortunate enough to have had support at a young age and straight out of college, I think it's important that I provide support where I can. These poems are meant to provide new perspectives and a softer lens on periods of growth and change to alleviate a lot of the hopelessness that can often come with new phases of life. I hope that people will read these and feel they are not alone in being frustrated while trying to find themselves, what makes them happy, and their way through life. Elisabeth D. - Watching you from afar (@elisabethdwrites) 'Watching you from afar' is about not being able to reach someone, or, more precisely, having to stay far from them, here in a 'golden cage' because the relationship isn't healthy anymore. It's about taking distance to find peace, but finding pain in it too. And it is also about dreaming of a different life, where you could be happy together. I think that is why it fits the theme pretty well. This poem is actually a very personal one, because it's vaguely inspired from my own experience in a friend group when I broke up with my ex boyfriend, who also is a part of this friend group. It's a strange experience and, at some point, I had to take some distances. I think that's what this poem is about: having to watch someone from afar to avoid self destruction. Overcomer Olajide - Dreams in Broken Bottles (@Titilope.olajide) Dreams in broken bottles reflect yearning for aspirations that seems out of reach like a caged bird desire for flight. it depicts the fragility and vulnerability nature of dreams, the doubt associated with unfulfilled dreams. It encourages reader to embrace their inner self, find solace and get a hold of their dreams no matter the circumstances. Shu J. Liu - dreams of a high-achieving dove, yet no more than a pigeon (@wlvshuu) "dreams of a high-achieving dove, yet no more than a pigeon" was inspired from my own personal academic struggles and high-achieving academic expectations. I wanted to express the contrast between how society in general views pigeons and doves, when they are technically the same creature. Doves are held at a higher regard with far more love than your average pigeon receives. It's similar academically; students with higher grades are held up with more respect by authority, while those with lower grades could be looked down on. It causes all "pigeons" (here representing your average student) to pretend to be as wonderful as a dove (representing a model/straight A student) in order to achieve academic validation. I hope other teens can relate to academic pressure (well, "hope" wouldn't be the right word, to be fair), and for all those who do: you do not always have to be perfect. One grade does not define who you are. Take care of your mental health before your academics — trust me, it'll help you a lot in the long run. Eli Ernst-Fontaine - Escapism (@starboy_eli) "Escapism" is a metaphorical piece I wrote about the teenage life I am not able to live due to my disabilities. The poem in itself paints the portrait of two boys, with a seemingly ambiguous relationship. In reality, the poem is about writing a story, perhaps based on a blurry dream the author had one night. I chose this to stay an ambiguous metaphor because I am not sure what my dream truly is. After all, the caged bird ignores what lies in the outside world. Cheryl Tan - Rainbow Sister (@implausiette) Rainbow Sister is about being queer in an Asian conservative country, and the problems that arise with it. Any dreams of love and marriage are instantly quashed beneath discriminatory laws enacted. Rainbow Sister also happens to be the title of a traditional Mongolian-Chinese song. Alex Gemstones - Barricade boys (@alenon_alenin) 'Barricade boys' is dedicated to those who are willing to go as far as putting their life on the line in standing for what they truly believe in. This piece is inspired by several characters from the French novel Les Misérables by Victor; to be precise, it features a group of young revolutionaries, including students and working class men, in 1830s France, who started an uprising with the aim of overthrowing the monarchy and bringing back the French Republic. However, their revolution was short-lived, as they were greatly outnumbered by the national guard who quickly extinguished the opposition, leading to the death of almost all of the revolutionaries. The characters whom the poem is based on are very special to me, as they are an inspiration to keep fighting for my beliefs and to stand my ground even when the circumstances are against me. I hope that 'Barricade boys' will inspire the readers to take a stand and to be fierce and proud of what they believe in; however, in no way do I encourage the readers to die for their cause! Zac Hudson - The parakeet dreams of being a cassowary (Zac.writes) Birds are a wide and varied concept, from wild birds to domesticated or caged ones. My poem is told from a caged bird idolising the wild and undomesticated cassowary which is native to the rainforests of Queensland Australia. Your prompt, I have been trying to be more adventurous with my writing and one of the easiest ways I've found to do that is by tackling literary prompts I wouldn't normally gravitate towards. My poem has a major theme of freedom and I think that resonates with teenagers because we often crave that sense of independence as we grow older. I'm also really proud of this piece specifically because I was able to use an Australian symbol like the cassowary which I think lends this work a new voice that really reflects me as a person and what I want to achieve with what I create. Ellie Coul - Tick, Tick, Tick (@elliecoul.writes) No matter your species, income, social status, or will to live, no one can stop time from passing. "Tick, Tick, Tick" emphasizes time's unforgiving nature as an inescapable boundary. Portraying a snapshot of a moment in a hospital waiting room, the poem describes various people living different lives who find themselves in the same situation: desperately wishing they could grant the person they love more time. When the theme, "Dreams of a Caged Bird" was released, I thought about the universal boundaries of the world. Having experienced loss, my mind automatically went to the concept of time, which controls nearly every aspect of life. Embracing the idea that a heightened awareness of the passing of time evokes a feeling of being trapped, I wish for my poem to speak to anyone who yearns to break free from the bounds of time. Maryam Hedayat - Drained Success (@06oliver.twist) I can’t swim and as a result of that I’ve grown an aversion to deep waters and being in water in a larger sense .In the same way I can’t swim, I can’t give merit to any of my achievements and thus feel as if I’m drowning in all my failures regardless if they hold any substance to my work.This feeling of drowning is then reaffirmed with my metaphorical ‘poseidon’ , god of the seas’.The poseidon in the poem can be anything to anyone reading , teachers , friends , family , critics, just anyone who consciously or unconsciously pins you down back to those feelings and essentially controls your motivations like the seas.The poseidon for me is myself and how i ‘hem myself in’ into my feeling of underachievement whenever I feel as If I am going to rise or when I even try to do so.To neatly summarise , ‘Drained success’ was inspired my own aversion to water and failures and thus also created the meaning. I think teens these days will understand this same fear or disappointment to failures academics or otherwise to the point they feel trapped or drowned. But I do not think they should deny these feelings nor feel any regret or shame in having them as everyone will have them when falling down and getting up through the course of life , such feelings can also make you strive for more and break barriers in doing so enabling you to create from ashes. Edison once said, “I have not failed 10,000 times—I've successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work.” Alice - An Ode to the Lost (@aliceswips) My poem relates to the theme of Issue VI by using the metaphor of a caged bird to portray a person with a wonderful voice who is trapped by society for the sole purpose of entertaining it. As a result, not being able to escape, the person becomes a mere shadow of themselves. However, this does not stop them from guiding other birds like them to prevent them from being caged, even if it means doing so with a whisper. Although their dream of singing is unattainable, they hope others can achieve theirs. The inspiration came from one of my characters: Caroline, from TNIC. She is indeed a caged bird who couldn't escape her own destiny, but kindly helps lost souls to find their light again. I hope that when the novel is published, Caroline will be able to help people find their way in real life too. Teresa M. Medina - Elephant (@louvre_in_blue) It is about the feeling of being closeted for a long time and the inability to say it while you feel that you can't hold it inside for any longer. I think it fits the theme in the way that queerness is a rather beautiful thing (bird) but it's inside a hostile and constrincting place: the world (cage), and at the same time the whole metaphor represents the lack of freedom of the whole situation. It is maybe a little bit gore in some way, but I felt like realism was a key part of this and I thought that sugarcoating it would make it look like less of an issue, which wasn't what I wanted to convey. This poem is about how painful it is to be closeted as a queer person, which is something that people often see as easy or light, but is actually excruciating at times. I think it can be a topic that resonates with many young people that might find themselves it this situation and are feeling or have felt any of these things. And I think it may be helpful to everyone struggling to get rid of their own elephant, crocodile, or whatever beast is consuming them. I hope they know they're not alone in the cage. Prose Geneviève Laprise - In the Dark (Writer_Gen) In the Dark is written from the point of view of Happiness. Happiness is trapped in the darkness when depression arises; therefore, it is like a caged bird that is asking to be released. Happiness is like a caged bird, but the cage is of our own making. Happiness is understanding and requests he is let out when Depression is ready. I wrote this story because I was feeling a little down, and I started thinking about how we make our own happiness. If Happiness is a person, what happens to them when the dark thoughts begin? I was also thinking about the struggles we go through to let happiness back in. Phoebe B.H. Mercury - The road is long (@spitewantsmealive) It is a piece about a man who is too afraid and to weak-willed to accomplish his goal. He is compared to a caged bird because of his own incompetence to become free or to at least, overcome his pitiful condition. He does not desire change, even though he suffers because of his constant mediocre state. It illustrates how the human can be its own enemy and that even a devil, may be less ditstructive than one's own self imposed limitations. It showcases the consequences of a plain life and how fear and maybe superficiality becomes a trap. Leslie Teel - Exploding Kittens and the Experiential Ferris Wheel (@leslie.teel) Young people with dreams of education and becoming good adults can also be trapped by them. By others' and their own expectations. By all the work necessary at such a young age to fulfill those dreams and expections. Obligations to peers, families, school, the very future. Sometimes they might just want to be a kid for a night. Adia Reynolds - So Falls the Cuckoo Bird (@cryptic.cryptid.writes) This piece is about being thrown from all you've ever known and trying to fly. This lesson is bittersweet. Learning you are capable, but only being forced to do so because others stopped supporting you. I wrote this from the perspective of an original character who I'd associated with a cuckoo bird even before this prompt was released. This character is a testament for standing up for what you believe even if it means being expelled from the gilded cage that you had grown to love. Ayumi Inoue - Outside the Zoetrope (@in.iyoume, @peniyoume) "Outside the Zoetrope" follows a young girl trapped to her responsibilities as a daughter and child to a poor family. While she hopes to live like other children her age and go to school like it was a matter of course, she remains by her mother's side to help her with the house as she is aware of their reality. It might not be about dreaming big or dreaming wide, but it is about dreaming free - like a caged bird does. While I originally thought of writing a piece about hoping for freedom and dreaming big, I became interested in the idea of dreaming for a normal reality - a mediocre daily life where one can simply live and not be bogged down by pressure and expectations. Sometimes the chance of living a mundane life is really all people want. However, sometimes, experiencing a mundane life is not a luxury that people can afford. Thus, I write about a caged bird trapped in her responsibilities as a daughter and child to a poor family, who can only hope for a normal life. Perhaps people who feel the same - pressure from having to succeed, provide for the family, or be a reasonable child - will be able to see themselves in the child. Owl - the Bird and the Girl (@owl_writes) the Bird and the Girl is written from two POVs - that of a bird (an owl) and that of a girl. There is a parallel of the bird freeing other birds, and the girl freeing children from their respective cages, but not leaving themselves. It ends with the bird's dream of flying free. Everyone has their own cages that they need to break out of. Mine is the cause of all my recent problems, but also my main source of motivation. Birds symbolize freedom but this owl has accepted that breaking free may not be possible. Roukia Ali - Laney is Leaving (@roukiaa9140) The real main character of my piece, Laney, is indecisive about leaving the certainty of her old life behind, and the only one she feels understands her, her younger brother Eddy. However, she knows she wants to leave for new adventures and horizons, as symbolised by her obsession with a bike she gets herself. Caged by feelings and enforced ideas of responsibility and rationality, it is only through encouragement and empathy that she can be "free to roam" . I was inspired to write this piece when I was sitting near a park one day, watching people go by on their bikes. Some people walked alongside their bikes, and some sped by on them. I think it's a great symbol for individual freedom and how attached we are to it, and taking your freedom into your own hands by your own merits. I hope Laney herself is a relatable character in terms of her passion, but also her emotionality. Not wanting to seem selfish, but also wanting the freedom of one's own path, has always been a contention in my life---I sometimes feel like a bird in a cage, yearning to fly, but scared to fly away, wondering if maybe the cage is safer, or even expects my conformity, and I want my story to relieve anyone who feels similarly. I think it's a great fit overall for this magazine because Laney passes on this lesson of leaving your cage to grow onto Eddy so he can reach his own personal definition, which I think embodies spreading the message to a wider community, like ourselves as writers. Just as we all have our own personal definitions of what being a caged bird means in this issue, the same applies to how we have all taken in that message. Lauren D. Fulter - Cheeseburgers and Dragons (@laurendfulter_author) Inspired by my own experiences working a fast food job while longing to be a full-time writer. It deals with a more realistic side of "chasing your dreams" in the sense that the characters can't afford to chase their dreams just yet...but are driven and motivated by their dreams of seeing their dreams of dragons become a reality one day. I had been eyeing this magazine submission ever since the theme was announced. I loved the theme, and toyed with multiple different ideas. Nothing really struck a chord with me, and I ultimately decided to skip out of this magazine. That was until the night of January 2nd, when I woke up around 2am with an idea. I quite literally pulled out my laptop and wrote it right then and there. The story turned out far simpler than my original drafts (which consisted of fairies trapped in glass jars in a world far more fantastical than a burger restaurant). I don't see many young writers talking about the realities of BEING a young writer. We aren't established yet, and hardly any of us can afford to write full-time just yet. Working a day job is a necessity for so many, even if it's something as simple as fast food (which I worked on before going to college!). While making burgers wasn't my dream job and was merely a means to an end, I found an unexpected treasure working there. I got to meet real people and hear their stories. Many of which inspired me and taught me so much about the real world. The story is simple, but the message is very personal to me and so many other creatives dreaming out there. Kathryn Harry - The Boy and the Butterfly Net (@kathyrn._.jane) My piece focuses around a timid young boy who struggles with both his fear and the pressure of appeasing his father, feelings which make him feel trapped within himself. I wrote this piece at the Lewis & Clarke Fir Acres Writing Workshop last summer and was inspired to write it by the friends I made there. It was a piece I wrote very freely, tapping into my inner child. I wanted to express the growing pains we begin to experience at very young ages, when the bright world of our own making begins to clash with a solemn reality. My friends were very encouraging as I wrote it, and I am very thankful to them. Creative Non-Fiction Heetal Binwani - Life Cycles (@heetalofalltrades, @StarSpeckledSkies on Wattpad) My piece is about my own life, and how the expectations of society and family have made me feel trapped. Art is a passion of mine - I have loved to make art for as long as I can remember. However, as I grew up, I gradually came to realize that there was no viable way for me to chase a career in art, even though art was what I loved, even though it was my dream. I picked my college major only recently - and I remember confiding in my friend that I had never felt as trapped as I did while researching majors and narrowing down my options. Because even though I had an interest in the STEM field, and in neuroscience, my chosen major, it wasn't really what I wanted. Art was. But jobs in the arts can be incredibly unstable, and they don't pay all that well - it wasn't an option for me, and it certainly wasn't an option for my parents. I felt like I was being backed into a corner while picking my major - and it absolutely terrified me. It was that conversation with my friend that inspired this piece. This work covers my life, from age 5 to age 17, and explores how my dream of becoming an artist first flourished, and then died, as well as where I am regarding that dream now. I think other people will relate to this piece because it's a fairly prevalent problem in our society. STEM fields are often the highest paying, for good reason - but that means that it's often hard to justify the cost of going into an art field, considering that STEM fields have so many more opportunities. Even the friend I confided in struggled with the same thing; if money weren't a problem, she said, she'd go into music. But she's going into psychology, because music, with its high risks and no guarantee of a payoff, is simply not viable for her. People shouldn't have to choose between what they can live off of and what they love - but they do, because that's the society we live in. I think my piece is a good fit for your magazine because it is raw, it is real. You say that you want work that makes you feel something, and that is exactly what I aim to do, with each of my stories. Although I usually write prose, I chose to submit creative nonfiction this time, because the story I'm telling is one I've lived through - it's going to be more real than any fictional world I could think up for this prompt. Follow @rewritethestarsreview on Instagram for more information about upcoming issues.

Many people simply enjoy writing as a hobby, but have you ever thought of taking it more seriously? If writing is already something enjoyable to you, why not get benefits and rewards for it as well? There are many opportunities to publish your writing and there are multiple benefits to sharing your work. In this article, I will be sharing some of these benefits and opportunities. The Benefits of Sharing Your Writing Having your work published or submitting to contests can have many benefits. For example, having your work featured in literature magazines can help to spread your name and look good on resumes, applications, and as past experience. Furthermore, submitting your writing to contests can result in cash prizes and publication. In my experience, successfully sharing my writing with others is a huge confidence boost. When I first started submitting my work, I was nervous that nobody would like my work and I was afraid to step out of my comfort zone. I had to go through many rejections, but it paid off. After time, my submissions and applications were accepted. Now, I have much more confidence to share my writing! I also have much more confidence to try new things in real life as well. Additionally, sometimes editors at literature magazines would provide feedback on my submissions. This helped me improve and reflect on my work. Oftentimes, sharing your intimate work can be nerve-wracking. There will be some rejections, but also plenty of success. If you aren’t ready to experience that, don’t push yourself! Keeping writing as a hobby might be better for you right now, and that’s ok! However, if you’re looking for more opportunities and chances to broaden your writing portfolio and boost your confidence, look no further for a list of places to submit to. Opportunities for Writers If you've ever looked for writing opportunities, you may have had some difficulty. So, I will be providing some opportunities for writers to share and publish their work. Please note that there are many more opportunities out there, and you should do whatever works best for you! Online literature magazines. Online literature magazines such as @rewritethestarsreview, @wavesofwordsmagazine, @luxurylitmag, @bottleddreamsmagazine, etc. are great resources for writers. Most magazines accept a combination of poetry, prose, art, fiction, and creative non-fiction, although it can vary. Some online literature magazines even have blog submissions, which typically accept non-fiction and fiction work. These magazines can be found on Instagram and other social media platforms. One website, called ChillSubs, is very helpful with finding magazines. It shows literary magazines with open submissions, and provides more information on them. These magazines often have submissions for issues, collaborations, blog submissions, special contests, etc. Additionally, if you’re looking to grow as a writer through working in teams, many literature magazines have staff positions that handle or create writing. Writing competitions. Writing competitions accept many different genres of writing. Some even have cash prizes, publication opportunities, and other rewards for winners. To find writing competitions, you can look on social media or through a search engine, and find what works best for you! Writing scholarships. While some people believe writing scholarships are only for essays, there are also plenty for creative writing. Writing scholarships typically reward winners with money towards college and other education programs. These scholarships can be found through a search engine, social media, and are sometimes offered by high schools. Some popular writing scholarships include the Dennis Etchison Young Writers Scholarship ($500), Profile in Courage Essay Contest ($1,000 - $10,000), and ACES Scholarships ($1,500 - $3,000). Writing careers. If you’re old enough to seek out a career in writing, that is also a great option to pursue your passion. Some writing careers include journalism, author, editor/proofreader, English teacher, marketing, etc. Writing a book. Although writing a book can be a long and difficult process, it can also be worth the work if you’re ready! Some benefits can include sales, getting recognition for your writing, getting to create and share your ideas, and gaining experience. For more information on how to publish and write a book, check out both part 1 and part 2 of MG’s Tips for Indie Authors to learn more. In conclusion, sharing your writing can have benefits such as confidence boosts, cash prizes, publication, and help with resumes. I hope this article helped motivate you to share your wonderful writing, and provided resources and opportunities for you to share and benefit from your writing. Works Cited Coffey, Sandra. “30 Exciting Careers in Writing (with Salaries).” Indeed.com, 30 July 2023, www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/careers-in-writing. Accessed Feb. 2024. Follow @claywithcar for more

Happy Valentine's Day! Whether you're feeling as single as a Pringle or basking in the warmth of your lover, enjoy some beautiful poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction this Valentine's Day. Poetry What is love? What is love? I ask the flowers they tell me that it is searching for the sun even when it's night I ask the moon she tells me that it is reflecting the sun because she hopes to be as beautiful as her one day I ask my grandparents they say it is holding each other through gritted teeth and through adoring smiles I ask the trees they say it is waiting years with the hope that their roots will intertwine I ask you but I only receive silence neither of us know we want to learn together by Ray Shubert More Information: It relates to the idea of love, and how this ideal is chased, but sometimes it is important to focus on the smaller, more "insignificant" sides of love, as that can be what builds a relationship the most. Instagram: @down_the._.rabbit_hole Bio: Ray Shubert is a teen writer from Utah. She has been writing for many years and is very inspired by gothic literature. Feedback: Smrithi: I audibly gasped after reading this because this piece is so beautiful! It truly conveys the idea that love is about the simple and small joys. I love how the poet both conveys the beauties of nature, and also the joys of human love. The last stanza is bittersweet and definitely uplifting. Wonderful piece! Bri: I love the idea of asking nature something associated with people, not nature. Ava: This is everything to me. Feels almost like a children's rhyme with its formulaic repetition(in the best way). Each section has its own take on love, I like the multiple perspectives. Sunflowers When one day she asked me my favourite plant I told her, sunflowers I loved how they stood tall in summer fields, their petals painted vibrant golds. How they’d turn to face the sun, welcoming its rays with each new day. And most of all, how the flowers coped, on the days the sun wasn’t out In the absence of its light, turning to face one another. She smiled softly, tucking a hair behind my ear And I thought to myself that when the sun chooses to hide She was, and always would be, the one I would look toward. by Ivy Janes More Information: I wrote this poem based on the time someone who I care a lot about told me that if I was to be a plant, I would be a sunflower, saying that to her I was vibrant and warm and 'sun-like.' She is who I would call 'my person,' so sharing these kinds of moments with her always fills me with so much joy and love, that I thought it would be a perfect sort of thing to share here: a short poem about love that means a lot, about a short moment full of love that meant a lot. I also think (or hope) that other people would feel the same sort of warmth reading it, reminded of or inspired to imagine sweet moments of casual domestic bliss. Instagram: @ivyallegedly Bio: Ivy has been an avid reader and writer longer than she can remember, particularly of epic fantasy novels, and pieces that allow her to explore the love and loneliness of our world. She also enjoys being with friends, sketching, baking, taking her dog Jax on walks, and spending every waking moment with music blasting from her headphones. Feedback: Smrithi: This piece is beautiful. I smiled reading it, and I definitely relate. The sunflower metaphor is cute and I love the last line that conveys that small feeling of love. Those moments where you just realize wow i love this person. Wonderful piece and truly goes to show how you only need 100 words to make someone feel happy. I hope you send this piece to whoever it's about! Bri: The idea of having a conversation with someone is so intimate and special. I love it! Ava: Very sweet! I love the metaphor of sunflowers facing each other. My Sweetheart’s Power We’re seven billion on this ball. I know full well I can’t Make each soul heed my words at all, Although that’s what I want. But when my bae prepares to read Some of my new-oozed ink, That moment’s stupendous indeed— Not even once she’ll blink. By some miracle, she compresses All literary journals, Poetry magazines, and presses Into her eyes’ lit kernels. Once read, there’s silence for a while. Then, gently, she will raise Her awed face, saying, “God!.....” and smile— True editorial praise! by Shamik Banerjee More Information: My piece is on love or on the different aspects of love excluding heartbreak. Instagram: @where_tales_end Bio: Shamik Banerjee is a poet from India. Some of his poems are forthcoming in Ekstasis Magazine, Willow Review, and Modern Reformation, among others. He is a formalist poet. Feedback: Smrithi: This piece brought a smile to my face and I think it's something a lot of people can definitely relate to. We often don't write to please the world but rather to please specific people in our lives and I think this piece does a great job of conveying that. Great work! Bri: The desire to share your adoration with others is so sweet! Ava: This is so sweet! Reminds me of the line from Sweet Nothing by Taylor Swift: "I wrote a poem. You say what a mind. This happens all the time." It isn’t easy loving a poet It isn’t easy loving a poet For he will not love me with a look Instead, write me in the pages of his book. He will not hold me in his arms But bind me in rhyme that forever charms; He will not bring flowers at my door, Instead, inscribe our love in metaphor. Though it isn’t easy loving a poet, There is little I regret, For if our love will be writ in his pages, We’d be remembered for ages. If he will bind me in rhyme, Our love in heaven would forever chime; And though he may not bring me flowers, I would dwell forever in metaphor’s bowers. And what would love be if a quest for ease, For it does not slacken or seek to appease. by R.S More Information: The poem talks about falling in love with a poet. Instagram: @thepoetrywindmill Bio: R.S. resides in India and writes poetry to find harmony in life. She graduated with Honours in English and loves to read and write poetry. She is greatly influenced and inspired by the poetry of Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron, Edgar Allan Poe, Robert Frost, Pablo Neruda, W.H. Auden and William Butler Yeats to name a few. She loves nature walks and rises early to feel inspired with the morning star and create new rhymes. Feedback: Smrithi: This poem is absolutely splendid. I love the rhyme scheme so much and I love how the poet has captured the beauty of poetry and loving a poet. As many of our readers are poets, I'm sure they'd be able to envision what loving them might feel like. The writing and language usage is also marvelous! Bri: I love how romantic the tone is. Ava: I love the questioning of if this kind of love is one that works for the narrator. Bleeding Heart Dove I wear my love On my chest, Raw and bloody, For the world to see. So full, am I, I cannot help but show it. If I lay still enough, On a bed of rotten roses, You would think me dead; Lovestruck suicide, My own undoing. Affection seeping out of me Like milk- I am prepared to give you my all. I am not wounded. Please, Believe me. Crimson stains, A curse or a blessing? You need not Claw my heart out. I will present it for you, On silver. Do not hurt me; I am already bleeding For you. by Jeahnelle Garcia More Information: This poem is based on the bleeding heart dove (bird), with a red stain on her chest. She contains so much love and hurt that it seeps out of her heart, staining the feathers on her chest deep crimson like blood. She look vulnerable, as if she was born hurt. This piece is for people who were born loving "too much" or were taken advantage for it. At the end of the day, love is vulnerable, and it is beautiful, and people who love "too much" have a beautiful gift that does not deserve to be taken advantage of as it so often is. Instagram: @_ante.mortem_ Bio: Jeahnelle Garcia is a 17 year old writer from Trinidad. She has been a writer for as long as she can remember (no matter how questionable the quality of said writing was). She loves to make weird art, listen to music, and play with Beans, her beloved cat. Feedback: Smrithi: This is a little less optimistic than we expected for this feature but I still do think it conveys a nice message of how those who "love too much" aren't flawed or wrong in any way. It is a little vulnerable but it also shows that these people deserve to be seen. Lovely writing! Bri: I love how lovestruck this piece is. Ava: Such a cool metaphor to describe a very vulnerable way of giving love. Really beautiful. Intangible If you were carved from smooth marble I’d shine your skin and wear that glimmer like gold around my neck, your stone-touched embrace still light with warmth and the beating of a butterfly’s wings. If you were a poem I would recite every stanza into the turn of my elbow, the twist of your lip and the magnetic sheen of your doe-eyes until you became one with the energy that bonds us. Every sentence drilling smiles into crows feet. Every metaphor a mere flickering candle, bowing in shame when held to your beauty. Your burns as exquisite as your voice. by Ari More Information: It discusses topics of admiration to the point of putting another individual on a pedestal and how the love for this person is almost intangible, unable to be expressed except through metaphor. Instagram: @ari.kanji Bio: Ari likes to write sometimes. Or all the time, actually. It's a problem. Feedback: Smrithi: The writing in this piece is marvelous and I love the idea behind it! We all definitely have once in our life "fell too hard" to the point that it becomes unhealthy, but this piece captures the optimistic side of loving someone so much that you'd do anything for them. Wonderful! Bri: The attention to detail is done well and holds an intimacy we are looking for. Ava: This is really well written, I love the power of the adoration that comes across. Fiction Bus ride, early august she sits next to me in the back row, hands interlocked. the sun is setting: the same golden light which inspired countless painters settling on a face more perfect than any art. she laughs, and i want to capture the sound, let it loop through my head for eternity. i lean over to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and when her gaze meets mine i understand that the love which has been written, painted, and sang of for millennia is right here, in the form of two girls pressed against dusty moquette fabric. by Rebecca Walker More Information: My piece is about my girlfriend who I love very very much! Instagram: @beccamkwalker Bio: Rebecca is an avid reader and writer based in the UK. When not immersed in a book she can be found baking, playing guitar or listening to music - she is especially inspired by Sylvia Plath, Carol Ann Duffy and the lyrics of Phoebe Bridgers. :-) Feedback: Smrithi: Aww this piece is lovely. The writing is picturesque and I love how we're immediately able to capture this image in our mind's eye. The last line is beautiful and almost brought me to tears (in a positive way). Love this feeling! Bri: I love the line about understanding now why writings, paintings and songs are about love because in a way, we don't know until we experience it ourselves Ava: This reminds me of that Andrew Garfield quote about Emma Stone: "She was like a shot of espresso. She was like being bathed in sunlight". I love the feeling of gentle love that radiates from this piece. Love Prevails One. The first sentence I heard from him was ‘my wife cooks the best’. His eyes light up every time she walks into the room, and every time he thinks of her. Two. She meets him. She falls in love and walks the path of rehabilitation with him. Three. When he had a stroke, and his family left with all his money, his former employee returned to his life. No words were needed for her to understand him. The stars are jealous of the human capacity to love. How do they lose everything but love? by Owl More Information: All three men have aphasia. A stroke may have taken away their words, cognitive functions, jobs, families… But somehow, love prevails, sometimes where you least expect it. We all need a reminder of that every once in a while. (I should add that the third relationship is purely platonic.) Instagram: @owl_writes Bio: Owl is a speech therapy student. She has been working with people with aphasia and hearing stories. This piece consists of three of those stories. Feedback: Smrithi: This piece is AMAZING! I love the short yet crisp descriptions that tell us everything we need to know by using only absolutely necessary words. The last line really ties the piece together well and I think this will be a splendid addition to our feature! Bri: My favorite aspect is their story and how it is told in stages. Ava: So uplifting! I adore that last line. Best kind of love The best kind of love is one that is unexpected. One that catches both partners off guard.  It’s one where you think that the other won’t like you, a simple fear of rejection. And once that feeling of rejection passes due to acceptance, it’s a beautiful feeling. It’s feeling refreshed, a feeling of completion, and a feeling of excitement for what’s about to arrive. It’s when both partners feel safe to share their feelings, without any hesitation. It’s one where both partners put forth the best effort they can muster towards the relationship. by Anonymous Staff Member More Information: N/A Instagram: N/A Bio: N/A Feedback: Smrithi: This piece is simple and elegant and definitely something a lot of people can relate to! It made me smile and I hope others find this kind of love as well. Bri: The idea of having a best concept or version of love is sweet and personal. Ava: I love this idea of love: simple, unexpected, filling. Cockatoo When you first became my lover I was sitting alone in my room at eleven at night listening to my favorite song, texting my favorite girl (you). You asked me how my night was and I realized I loved you. I teared up every time I saw your face knowing my butterflies would never be yours. I first became your lover after you carefully caught each one with a net, fed them sweet songs and honey, and wrapped them in a bouquet with a pink bow. I keep them by my side and promise to keep you safe too. by Cairo Evans More Information: This story is about my girlfriend. She reminds me of a cockatoo, hence the title. I had liked her for over a year, but at first she was girlfriends with my ex-best friend (awkward). We started dating in September last year and we're going strong! I wrote about my process of falling in love with her. Instagram: @abductedcowmag Bio: Cairo Evans is a young writer. She enjoys theater, reading, drawing, skiing and skateboarding. Her work has been featured in several publications, and she runs her own literary magazine (abducted cow magazine). She is currently directing her first show and loves penguins very much. Feedback: Smrithi: This piece is sweet and I love how personal yet broad it is. We can clearly see the author's love for their girlfriend in it, but we can also see our own love and adoration for people in our lives mirrored in the piece. The butterfly analogy is splendid and the writing is marvelous. I love the last line! I hope the author and their girlfriend stay together forever <3 Bri: The second-person perspective is done well. Ava: This is so cute. I love the progression of unrequited love to mutual love. Really well described! Creative Nonfiction The Heart On My Sleeve I used to think that writing to your love was too much labor. Your hands would start to tremble from gripping the pen, and how many sonnets could you spout before the recesses of your soul became empty? But then came him. Sitting in the back of algebra class with his heart on his sleeve. Suddenly, I was writing. Pages. My poems became his, my writing dedicated to his soul. Sonnets, love songs, and all the romance I’ve read were all...him. Now, the ring on my finger follows my pen as I write, and my words are still... all his. by Elizabeth Dueñas More Information: The inspiration for this piece of prose came from my experience of falling in love with my husband. Shortly after we started dating, he went away to boot camp for the army, and the only way to talk was through letters. I had the obstinate idea that writing letters to someone I love wasn't worth it or that I couldn't do it. But then, I couldn't stop writing to him. At one point, I sent him four letters in one day, all multiple pages long. I fell in love with him through his letters, and I continue to fall in love with everything he says today. Other people might relate to this piece because, as writers, readers, and consumers, everything around us turns into them when we fall in love—movies, songs, poetry, books, etc. Every thought we have is theirs, and as a writer, it is hard to stop once we start professing our love for them through our words. This piece would be a good fit for this feature because it highlights the raw emotion of love on a universal level. It celebrates our connection and holds my heart deep within it. Instagram: @literarylizzy_ Bio: Elizabeth Dueñas is a budding, young writer at the start of her publication journey. She has been writing for many years with a strong focus on poetry and prose, drawing inspiration from the connections she has with others. Her work is authentic and captures the essence of the human experience. She is excited for wherever her writing journey will take her. Feedback: Smrithi: This piece is beautiful! Truly shows that within 100 words, you can convey a complete love story in itself. I love the writing and phrases like "my writing dedicated to his soul // the ring on my finger follows my pen as I write" - they really portray the simply joys of love. I also adore the inspiration behind this piece and I definitely think a lot of our readers will be able to relate to it! Bri: I love that it shows how love changes people in the best way. Ava: A beautiful devotion of love and how it can fuel you. "Now, the ring on my finger follows my pen as I write" is utterly gorgeous, love the feeling of pure bliss that comes from this one. Faded Friendship Bracelets (we each have two) Seven years ago, we were the slowest runners in PE. We talked about video games, about shows. We still do. I fell asleep on you in a limo after prom. Abandoned together at Disney. Calling on your commute home, facetiming on work breaks. Our silly characters. You’re leaving soon, for a while. You know I’ll miss you. And message you constantly, right? I’ll miss your curly hair, music flare and sweater vests in june. You’re the music to my lyrics, my poetry. You are my best friend. I love you. Part Ners I N Cri Me by Tatum Bunker More Information: My best friend is leaving for a church mission soon. Since we are currently in different states, it's hard to connect with one another as much as we would like. This piece is dedicated to our platonic love and to a friendship that will never die. I think this is a good fit for the feature because it highlights what we consider to be the stepping stones of becoming closer. Instagram: @ Bio: Feedback: Smrithi: This piece is cute and definitely captures the true spirit of platonic love. I love the little memories the author talks about, and the final few lines definitely bring the message home! The partners in crime thing is so cute lol because I love matching things between best friends (I have a necklace with my bsf!) Bri: Reminiscing of the past is really cute. Ava: Platonic love is just as powerful as romantic love. I like the formating at the end to look like friendship necklaces. Touch Touch had always been a sacred thing. So, when she first met them, she refused to touch. It took years - years of gentle guidance, of conversations, of jokes that became inside jokes and small secrets that became big ones. But finally, she let herself touch. It started small; fingers tapping on an arm, a palm on a shoulder. And then fingers became hands, and hands became hugs, until touching them wasn’t so strange anymore. To touch was to trust, and to trust was to open her bricked up heart. She didn’t even know when they had torn the walls down. by Heetal Binwani More Information: This piece was based on my personal experiences with touch, and how it has evolved with my relationships with my friends. I've always been very uncomfortable with touching people - it's something that's reserved for the people closest to me. So, when I first met my friends, I avoided touching them as much as I could; I simply wasn't close enough to them at that point. But, as I grew closer to them, I slowly grew more comfortable with touching them, too. And, at some point, I realized that they weren't just friends to me; they were my confidantes, my supporters, my rocks whenever I felt like I was drowning in a raging sea. I'd grown to love them, deeply - and I wasn't so hesitant to touch them anymore. For me, this was a huge revelation. I hope that other people can find themselves and their own friendships in this work - having the love of friends is the greatest thing in the world. Instagram: @heetalofalltrades Bio: Heetal is an artist, musician, and creative writer who lives in the US. When she's not in school, playing her flute, making art, or writing, she usually does homework, reads, bakes, or spends time with her friends. She also has a passion for science, especially chemistry, astronomy, and psychology. In her creative works, she particularly enjoys exploring the human condition. Feedback: Smrithi: Aww omg I love this piece. It's such a small thing but going from being averse to touch to opening yourself up to hugs is a major transformation that the author has captured beautifully here. I especially love the last two lines! I hope everyone finds friends like this :) Bri: The idea of touch being sacred or valued in a certain way is beautiful. Ava: I love how it shows the development of a friendship through something that is seemingly as simple as touch, but also highlighting the weight it carries for the person. Follow us @rewritethestarsreview and these remarkable writers for more!

We've talked about how you can increase your chances as a self published author. But we're not nearly enough so here we are with the second part! Create Buzz Before Release: Have you realised how famous books like A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber have been the talk of the social media town months before its release? Learn from them and do the same. Get as many people as possible to talk about it, even before the book is released. Make sure to hype it up, and get others to hype it up, too. In fact, build up the hype even before you finish the book. How? You can: Collect Reviews From Early Readers Get ARC Readers Make Hype Teams Be Your Own Cheerleader Collect Reviews from Early Readers: Remember your alpha and beta readers? They can prove more valuable than just editors. Make sure to ask them to review your book before publishing. Why the Reviews? Platforms like Amazon and Goodreads won't push your book to the top for no reason. One of the things you can do so that these platforms will get your book to be seen by more people is to collect reviews. That aside, readers also check the reviews and will judge the book accordingly. The books that have no review at all are probably not worth a read, after all, no one even has anything to say about it. What If They Posted a Bad Review? Don't be afraid of bad reviews, because whilst it may hurt you to see a one star review along with a paragraph explaining why your book sucks, a mix of bad and good reviews make your book look more authentic. After all, what book is loved by every reader on Earth? NONE. Look at the review section of your favourite famous books. You'll find plenty of good reviews and lots of bad ones as well. But do the bad ones deter people from loving the book? Nope! Books with all 5 star reviews make people doubt the book because it looks fake, as if the author paid those people for the reviews. Instead, establish trust from readers by having a variety of reviews. Now, how can you get more reviews? The most common and easy way is to ↓ Get ARC Readers:* (ARC: Advance reading copy. Advance review copy, advance reader's edition, advance copy, or a reader's edition is a free copy of a new book given by a publisher to booksellers, librarians, journalists, celebrities, or others, or as a contest or school prize, before the book is printed for mass distribution. ARC readers are those who read these copies.) By getting these ARC readers, you can get their reviews and also generate buzz for your book as more people who read your book mean more people will talk about it. How Can You Get ARC Readers? Similar to alpha and beta readers, you can get them by announcing that you need ARC readers throughout your socials, or from author websites. You can also approach some bookish influencers/reviewers yourself and ask them to be your ARC reader. Of course, do it kindly and respectfully. Check their linktree/website first if they have a form for ARC reading requests. If they don't, you can DM them. Keep your message short, to the point, and don't forget to sum up your book in as few words as possible. Remember also, that you may be rejected and don't take that personally because their schedule just may not allow them to do it. For a higher chance of 'yes sure's, you can stalk them beforehand and see if they seem to like the kind of story your book is or not. Do they get your book for free? Yes. Won't that mean less people will buy your book then? Darling, no. A misconception I've heard from some of my indie author friends is that the more ARC copies you give means the less people will buy your book, which is of course, false. Unless you are living in a secluded space with only 10 people without the ability to interact with the rest of the world, then yeah, if you give 6 free copies you'll only have 4 who buy the book. But there are 7 BILLIONS of us. Giving ARCs will help you spread the news of your book to their friends, family, and in the case of content creators, their followers, who may take interest. Without sending those ARCs, those followers wouldn't know your book exists. Do you know how many ARCs publishing houses usually give? 50-100. Books by a moderately popular author may even have 5,000 ARCs. With that many ARCs, most of Booktok and Bookstagram will be talking about said book. This gets more and more people interested in the book. At this point, it's like an ever growing rolling snowball. You invest a bit in ARC readers and the return will be ever growing! Won't It Be Costly? In the past, yes, Simply because you had to send a physical copy to all your ARC readers. But now, you can simply send them the ebook file. Make Hype Teams When people have an event (like revealing their book covers for the first time), they want everyone to know of it. To do this, they usually assemble a hype team. How do I do it? Simply announce it on your social media or kindly approach some people if you have a specific person you'd love to hype you up. What does the hype team do? Hype you up, of course. This can be in the form of posting about your said event in their social media, or any other way fit for the event. How do you make people interested to join your hype team? Give them treats! Everyone loves free gifts! Examples: Bonus scenes of your novel Merchandise design of your book A shoutout Side story of your novel Excerpts of the book Be Your Own Cheerleader Yes, go and hype yourself up because if you aren't hyping it up, who will? At first, promoting yourself may seem awkward. Not to mention how many people view self promotions as disturbing and annoying, thus making most of us feel apprehensive towards promoting ourselves. While that is true, self promotion will only be annoying if you do it in a boring, self centred way. For example you DM someone something like these: ‘Hello, I just published my book and it'll mean the world to me if you can check it out.’ ‘Hi, I'm a new indie author and I would be really happy if you can help me promote my book!’ ‘Hi, I am Karen and I'm a romance drama writer who just published my debut novel a few weeks ago, can you check it out?’ No one will care if you approach them this way. First of all, who are you? Second of all, what is the book even about? Third of all, I don't even like romance-drama, Karen. Now please don't do self promos like the examples above, it's just annoying. As a content creator who has met with many self promoters before, I always tell my people that self-promoting to me is fine, but don't do it in a boring manner. I would be happy to hype you up anytime BUT—first give me a reason to hype you up. Everyone hates boring self promos. But we encourage creative self promos. Here's what you can do instead: Make fan edits kind of posts and reels about your book Share facts/quotes/excerpts about the book Stalk your ideal readers and genuinely engage with them Hype other people up “MG, just give us a clear way to self promote please, not just prompts like those.” Sure. You can: Upload your book on Goodreads and fill in the quotes section with your awesome quotes. DM @rewritethestarsreview a short info about your book and ask them to include your book in their next issue. Rewrite the Stars Review chooses several indie authors for every issue they publish, then promoting them in the special ‘Authors Spotlight’ section and also throughout their social media. Follow me on Tiktok @melifluousgelatoo.writes and take inspiration from my posts to make your own! (of course, do credit me for the idea) Hype Up Your Old Releases Again: If you're an indie author with multiple books published, do not let your old releases collect dust in the background while you pour all your love to the new releases. You can revisit your published book and hype them up again! How? You can: Publish your old release with a new cover Give discounts or giveaways Make special packages Sell merchandise Publish your old release with a new cover. Notice how famous books tend to have a lot of different covers? Yes, while it helps you hype back up your old release and make another chance for new people to know your book, it can also make your existing fans want to buy it again! Give Discounts and Giveaways: People like discounts and giveaways, and you can also hype your old book up this way. For giveaways, you can give the book itself, or special bonuses. As for discounts, here's some ideas you can use: A certain event special's discount (example: discount in honour of the new years, your birthday, or the date the book is first published.) Discount for the lucky ones who made it in time. Hold a huge discount for only a short moment (say, an hour or two. Or a day.) You can also make it more fun and design some games for it! For example, you can give a riddle related to the book and those who can answer it can get a special discount. Make special packages. If you analyse the marketing techniques of traditionally published authors, you will realise that they often sell special packages. Traditionally published authors usually include merchandise from the book such as bookmarks or art prints.  Some even contain tissues as a sign that you'll definitely be weeping after you read the book! These special packages not only appeal to those who haven't bought the book yet but also to your existing fans. Sell Merchandise: I've been mentioning merchandise very often throughout this blog and that just emphasises the importance of them. What kind of merchandise can you have for your book? Here's a long list ↓ Bookmarks Character art Mugs Phone/laptop wallpaper Scarf Keychain Pins T-shirt Cap/hats Totebag Phone case Page overlay Water bottle And many more! Do You Design the Merch Yourself? You can do it if you want or you can also work together with a graphic designer to bring those merchandise out! This will help a lot especially if you don't have a clear vision of what your merchandise will look like. What About Print and Delivery? Some authors choose to handle all these themselves and if you think you can do it, sure, do it! However, do keep in mind that you will still invest some money even if you decide to do it all alone and also, a lot of effort is needed. Not to mention that it's easy to mess up if you're not familiar with the process. To ease this process, you can have the help of merch-based websites like RedBubble that will provide help on printing and delivery. Some graphic designers (like me), provide a bundle option for you to have us take care of it all (design, printing, & delivery). So you can just get our report and your share of the profit. Of course, you'll still have a say on the progress! How to find these graphic designers? Usually, your book cover designer will have an add on option of merchandise. Other graphic designers and artists who are dwelling in the bookish area are also inclined to accept a merchandise design request. If you would like a recommendation for a graphic designer, check out Prose to Print @prosetoprint on Instagram! It is a bookish merchandise focused business made by authors for authors, and co-owned by me. They sell book related merchandise and also accept merchandise design requests. You can have them help you in the process of printing and delivery and even have your merchandise sold through their website, reaching their existing audience! An additional advantage of them is that they keep their prices affordable for all, making them a very great solution for many self-published authors. The cons are that they have strict rules on what kind of design they're willing to take. They will deny your request if it is considered not safe for work (NSFW) or controversial. So do ensure that you're not making a problematic request! Do Not Rush: Lastly, you have to remember that no one can make a masterpiece overnight. With people pressuring teenagers to succeed faster, writers are pressured to publish their books faster. As a result, too many books waste their potential. Rushing to the end goal is not being efficient in using your time. So stop pressuring yourself so much. Especially for all the teenage writers out there, remember that you don't have to publish your debut novel at 13. You can, of course, if you want. But don't publish a book just because of the pressure. Here’s some advice: Write a lot, learn more, write more. — And after over two thousand words, you've reached the end of this blog. Thank you very much, I hope these tips help and if you want to know more, do read our other blogs! You're also welcome to DM me anytime (@melifluousgelatoo.writes) if you have any questions or things to discuss, or if you just want to be friends with me lol. If you're looking for book cover or merchandise designs then do check out my designing account @mgsdesiigns Love, MG.

Recently, the amount of people who choose to self publish over traditional publishing keeps on increasing due to several reasons; just seeing the excruciatingly long process of traditional publishing, the increasingly easy and globally accessible ways to self publish make self publishing much more enticing. While it's exciting to see more and more amazing books coming to light without having to go through the obstacles of traditional publishings, we cannot ignore the truth that most self-published authors can only make little to no sales and their books remain unknown to most. Why is that? The most common issue is that not many writers excel in marketing. This is not an issue to traditionally published authors because their respective publishing houses will handle the marketing issues for them, meanwhile, self-published authors have to put in the effort themselves. In this blog are tips on how you can increase your chances as a self published author. Alpha & Beta Readers Eye-Catching Cover Establish an Author Platform Alpha & Beta readers When you write your book and finally get that complete, rough, and ugly first draft, you'd know immediately that this is not the best version of your story yet. And so, you'd edit it. But self editing can only get you so far, because eventually, every writer needs feedback from others to further improve their story. What are Alpha Readers and What Do They Do? Alpha readers are the ones who would read those rough drafts and give you some feedback. The kind of feedback they give varies depending on them and your preferences so when you get an alpha reader, make sure to tell them what kind of feedback you're expecting. What About Beta Readers? After your first draft goes through alpha readers, you can personally improve them before sending the revised draft to beta readers. What's the Difference Between Alpha and Beta Readers? In short, alpha readers get your very rough draft that hasn't gone through much editing yet, while beta readers get the draft that has been fine-tuned at least once (mostly though, several times). How can you get Alpha/Beta readers for Your Book? You can: Find them through author/writer groups that you can usually find and join in through social apps like Instagram, Tiktok, or Discord. (If you're a Thriller, Mystery, Crime Fiction writer, you can DM me and I'll invite you to a group chat I have on Insta!) Announce the fact that you need some alpha/beta readers through your social media (Instagram; Tiktok; etc.) Ask friends / family to read your book. (Though, do keep in mind to choose those who can give you an honest review because sugar coated feedback will only waste your time). Hire them through writerly websites like Reedsy or freelancers’ bases like Fiverr. How Many Alpha/Beta Readers is Ideal? The answer is: depends. The type of book and length of it may influence the ideal number. Usually, people opt for more readers the longer and more complicated the book. The widely recommended amount is around 2-5. Because only 1 is too few and you cannot get a clear conclusion of what your book quality is. And more than five may be too much and will instead confuse you with all their differing opinions. What Kind of Readers are Ideal? The ones familiar with books and the genre of the book. Plus, is interested in your book and would be someone who wants to read it should it be out in stores. It would be numerous times better if you can find a sensitive reader* and those with actual experiences in relation to your storyline amongst those 5. *A sensitivity reader is someone who reads for offensive content, misrepresentation, stereotypes, bias, lack of understanding, etc. They create a report for an author and/or publisher outlining the problems that they find in a piece of work and offer solutions in how to fix them. For example, if I'm writing from the POV of a black woman, then it would be so helpful for me to have an actual black woman as one of my alpha readers. If I'm writing about a nurse, then I'd find an actual nurse and they can fact check the story details. I know accomplishing these would be hard, but we're talking idealistically here. However, if we're talking realistically then at the very least, they should be honest and able to give constructive criticism. An important point to remember: When dealing with these readers, you have to keep a balanced diet of accepting their suggestions, and sticking to your ideas. Yes, they're meant to help you and we need to take their suggestions into account to improve the manuscript BUT, it is very important to stick to your uniqueness. DO NOT, in any way, follow them unconditionally at all turns. This may make your book lose its uniqueness and instead become just like any other book that doesn't feel like you. Those kinds of books are grey, basic, and boring. Have faith in your ideas! Eye-catching Cover Everyone says not to judge a book by its cover but in reality, we all do. There are hundreds to thousands of books in a bookstore, and in terms of e-books, the number of choices are even more frightening. One of the most impactful hooks you can have for your book to ensure it stands out amongst the billions of existing books is to have an immaculate cover. If you want to self publish with a very minimum amount of money investment, then you can try designing your book cover yourself with the help of apps like Canva, Kittle, or Adobe. (Though, if you have little to no designing skills then this may not be the best idea as it may instead obstruct your book's potential.) If you have some money to invest in a professionally designed cover, you should keep these points in mind: Budget Alignment of Genre and Style Preferences Regarding Add-Ons and Additional Details Budget Not everyone has thousands of dollars lying around to use, we get it. Now the good news is: the price range for book covers vary a lot, and a higher price doesn't always mean higher quality. When you find a book cover designer, whether it's through freelancing websites like Fiverr; or a writing website like Reedsy or through social apps like Instagram and Tiktok, you can usually get an enchanting, fully custom design starting from $150 while more experienced designers can charge around $500 or even more. On the lower end, you can also get a good book cover for $30-$50, though this price mostly includes only basic services, such as one concept for an ebook* with less flexibility for changes. *This means you will only get one design for your front cover. Spine and back are not included, nor would you have much chances to make adjustments. If you want to consider a cheaper option, you can check out premade covers* which most book cover designers usually have in stock for a cheaper price with the same quality as their custom covers. *Premade covers: premade book covers are ready-to-go, professionally designed book covers available for purchase. These covers are typically organised by genre and are customizable to some extent, such as adding your book title and author name. Alignment of Genre and Style Different book cover designers have different genres they specialise in, and even with designers who specialise in the same genre, their styles are bound to be different. And this is why, before you decide on a designer to choose, make sure you've browsed through their portfolio and are certain that their style suits your book best. Let's take me as an example. I am a book cover designer myself and while I want you to consider me as your book cover designer, if your book is a romance drama I may advise you to pass on the job to someone else as I specialise in fantasy book cover designs. But what if you think my style suits your romance book? Then sure, let's work on it. Book cover designers specialising in one genre doesn't mean they can't/won't do other genres after all. In the end, it's your call on how you want your book cover to look Preferences Regarding Add-Ons and Additional Details When requesting a book cover, your designer will usually offer some add-ons which you can have for an additional price. These include but are not limited to: audiobook cover, a dust jacket design, social media promo package, cinema-sized posters, and merchandise designs. Many times, these additional details are what makes your book cover so pricey. So, whilst it's a good idea to have these add-ons, if you want to minimise the cost and don't think you want those add-ons too early on, then you can get that lower priced set that gets you only the things you do want. Establish an Author Platform We all know how important having social media presence is in this day and age, and that is especially true for those who want to sell something. However, a lot of indie authors still neglect this point, or are unsure how to manage it. To begin with, there are a lot of options you can choose to create your social media presence. You will have to start off by choosing a platform. What platforms can you have? Websites A good website makes you look more professional and trustworthy and yes, your potential/seasoned readers will definitely check it. People who come across your page and are curious will also check it, so having a website is a must. If you want to keep it simple, then hire someone to get it done for you. The good old Fiverr can help you find them. But if you want to do it yourself, then website builders like Wordpress, Wix, or even Canva can help you. With those website builders you can even make an amazing website for free. Of course, these websites have a Pro option that will require you to pay. But even without it, you can still create a great website. Ensure that you really need the extra features before you upgrade to the Pro option so you won't waste your money on things you won't use! Social media Instagram, Tiktok, Threads, Twitter, Pinterest, the list goes on. Personally, I recommend Instagram and Tiktok amongst all of these. Why? Simply because the amount of bookish people who are active in those two platforms are immense! Especially younger audiences like Gen Z. The number of posts under #writergram alone is way over the 300k mark and is climbing higher everyday, meanwhile #writertok has an even larger number, reaching over 900k. But how can one become popular on social media? Make an account and follow fellow writers on the platform! Spend some time stalking fellow writergram and writertok accounts to see what kind of posts you would like to see and list them out as inspirations for your own posts. Posting aesthetics and edits on these platforms will help you grow people's attraction towards your book! Some good examples of writers with interesting contents on both Tiktok and Instagram are: @jbryderauthor Author of The Forgotten Colony. @amiewalker.writes Author of The Dawn of Ruins. @thelaylaverse (Instagram) (@thelaylaverse0928 on Tiktok) Author of The King Knights Opening. @thchloegong Author of These Violent Delights. And of course, me, because I'm iconic. (I'm not.) @melifluousgelatoo.writes (Instagram & Tiktok) An important thing to note: Do not get too focused on the numbers, be it the numbers of follows and unfollows you have or others in your account’s insights. This can easily make you discouraged. Because no, not all your posts will blow up and many of your followers may unfollow you with little to no reason at all. This is the truth and it's not always your fault (though, if you're unsure whether it really is your fault, then do your research and google it or ask some of the writergrammers/writertokers you know.) Instead, make a community. Genuinely interact with people. Comment on their posts, reply to their stories, and get to know them. These people are ultimately the ones who will be there for you in times of need and the ones who will be happy for you whenever you accomplish something–not mere numbers. So focus more on establishing a connection with fellow writers than making a viral post. Writing Sites You can also spread your name through writing websites like Wattpad, AO3, Webnovel, or WeInk. Ultimately, they are similar. You can post your stories, engage with readers, and opt to generate income from the platform. But at the same time, they are distinctively different from each other. AO3 focuses more on fan fiction, while Wattpad is more well known for the cliches, and it has a wide range of genres too. Another example is WeInk, where you can even share the books you have officially published in print. Other: There are also sites like Patreon or Ko-fi if you want to give your readers extra ways to support you. The se two examples are quite similar to each other. Both being platforms that allow creators to connect with their communities and make money from their creative work. Personally, I use Ko-fi because: It's so easy to use. I spent very little time trying to get the hang of it and everything works seamlessly. Less fees. Only 0-5% platform fees and 3% transaction fees, whereas Patreon has 5-12% platform fees, plus payment processing, currency conversion, and payout fees. Quick pay outs. Whenever someone buys one of the products I sell through the platform or get any tips, Ko-fi sends it immediately to my bank account. Patreon, however, offers monthly payouts. Through those sites, your fans can send you little gifts that you can transfer into their bank account later! This is definitely helpful especially when you're like me (a broke teenage writer). Not only that, you can also sell things such as book merchandise and bonus content. The next part about ARC readers, reviews, and more will be coming out next week, so follow @rewritethestarsreview to know when it drops! Follow MG @melifluousgelatoo.writes for writing tips and prompts or @mgsdesiigns for book cover commissions.

Our 6th issue: Dreams of a Caged Bird, is all about how we’re caged up and chained down, yet still dreaming. We want to hear what keeps you captive, what your fears, worries, hopes, and dreams are. We understand that deciding on what to write can be difficult, so we are providing a list of quotes to inspire your writing. These quotes will reflect themes such as escaping your cage, hopes, dreams, and feeling caught. “I know why the caged bird sings.” - Maya Angelou “You have escaped the cage. Your wings are stretched out. Now fly.” - Rumi “Every poem breaks a silence that was meant to be overcome.” - Adrienne Rich “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” - Nelson Mandela “We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.” - Malala Yousafzai “Freedom is never given; it is won.” - A. Philip Randolph “Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes.” - Ruth Bader Ginsburg “Take these broken wings and learn to fly.” - Unknown “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” - C.S. Lewis “If you cannot find peace within yourself, you will never find it anywhere else.” - Marvin Gaye “That dream was planted in your heart for a reason.” - Unknown “Maybe this cage has been a cocoon all along.” - Stacie Martin “Dreams have only one owner at a time. That’s why dreamers are lonely.” - William Faulkner “If you can dream it, you can do it.” - Walt Disney “You locked me in a cage so big I thought I could fly.” - Darling March “Dreams come a size too big so we can grow in them.” - Josie Bissett “Some birds just aren’t meant to be caged.” - Unknown “I don’t dream at night, I dream all day; I dream for a living.” - Steven Spielberg “The stars are always there. Even when clouds hide then. Even when you can’t see them. They’re always there. Just like hope.” - 11:11 “Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.” - Mandy Hale “She learned that she was not meant to be caged and she broke free.” - Unknown “The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.” - Unknown “There comes a day when you realize turning the page is the best feeling in the world, because you realize there‘s so much more to the book than the page you were stuck on.” - Zayn Malik “You hold the key to your cage.” - Unknown “I have a deeply hidden and inarticulate desire for something beyond the daily life.” - Virginia Woolf “If we wait until we’re ready, we’ll be waiting for the rest of our lives.” - Lemony Snicket “That's the funny thing about chances, you don’t know if it’s yours until you take it.” - JmStorm “A golden cage is still just a cage.” - Anita Krizzan “Patience is more than simply learning to wait. it is having learned what is worth your time.” - JmStorm “Know that when you feel so stuck as if you’re in a birdcage that you are the one who holds the key” - OliviaLunaHealing “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams and love the life you have imagined.” - Henry David Thoreau “We think caged birds sing when indeed they cry.” - Unknown “Hope rises like a phoenix from the ashes of shattered dreams.” - S.A. Sachs “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” - Eleanor Roosevelt “Why do you stay in prison when the door is wide open?” - Rumi “Hope is a waking dream.” - Aristotle “Birds born in a cage think flying is an illness.” - Alejandro Jodorowsky “Most human beings live like a bird in a cage whose door is blown away. Too busy gold-plating the cage to soar to their ultimate possibility.” Sadhguru I hope this helped get your creative juices flowing and inspired your writing. Issue 6 submissions will be open from December 1st to January 3rd. Follow us on Instagram @rewritethestarsreview or check out our website for more information and updates! Follow the writer @claywithcar for more!

Nearly every artist experiences creative block. Whether you act, paint, write, or do something in between, I’m sure you’ve heard of it or even experienced it yourself. Unfortunately, I’ve fallen victim to creative block many times. So, today I will be discussing what a creative block is as well as sharing the lessons I’ve learnt on how to prevent and work through it. What is a creative block? In case you haven’t heard of or experienced a creative block, I’ll explain what it is. A creative block is a period of time when you’re stuck in the creative process, unable to move forward with your project. Creative blocks can make you feel unmotivated, uninspired, and/or exhausted. But they aren’t always a bad thing. Sometimes a creative block can serve as a sign that you need to take a break. When this happens, make sure to listen so you can recover as quickly as possible. How to prevent a creative block Don’t overwork yourself. Oftentimes, people fall into a creative block or become unmotivated because they’ve overworked themself. Remember to not give yourself too much work, and take breaks when needed. Plan. Although it can be time-consuming, creating a schedule and planning your work properly is beneficial. Planning can help you avoid taking on too much work at once. It can also ensure you get work done on time. In fact, I’ve been trying to do this recently for these reasons. Thus far, this has been working pretty well for me! Having everything I need to get done written down and given a deadline helps me feel less overwhelmed and stay on task. I know I have to get a few things done every day, then I have free time. If I follow my schedule, I will have everything done when it needs to get done. Write, sketch, and let your ideas flow. Sometimes a creative block can be caused because an artist has too many ideas, and isn’t sure which or how to pursue them. So, letting your ideas flow occasionally is a great way to see which you want to continue with. For example, you could sit down and sketch multiple ideas, letting your imagination take the lead to help you decide on how to continue. To do this, you would make an initial sketch and add anything that comes to mind or that you think will improve it. You can also do this with multiple sketches at once, and compare them. Sketching is one way to do this, although you can adjust this method depending on your art medium. Don’t fear imperfection. Many artists aren’t satisfied with their work, and are frustrated with themselves when they’re imperfect. In some situations, this leads to the artist becoming unmotivated. You should keep in mind that imperfection is normal and that it leads to improvement! How to work through a creative block Get inspiration from the world around you. Going out to a park, coffee shop, beach, or other public space and simply observing what’s happening can be a great way to get your creative juices flowing. Writing, sketching, or expressing yourself artistically in another way while doing this can also be beneficial. Clear your mind. Sometimes all you need to overcome a creative block is to clear your mind. You could do this by meditating, resting, doing something you enjoy, expressing what’s on your mind, etc. Get inspiration from other artists. A great way to get inspiration is from other artists. You can put on some music, read, observe paintings/drawings, watch a show, etc. These can be used to gather ideas for your work, or just to lift your spirits. Turn the task into small steps. Doing a whole project may feel overwhelming, especially when you’re stuck in a creative block. To help with this, you can turn a large task into many smaller and more manageable tasks. Don’t force yourself to work. Sometimes forcing yourself to get work done can just make the tasks seem more difficult. Instead, you should give yourself time to rest. You could even try some of the strategies I’ve stated, such as planning and letting your ideas flow, or come up with your own. Unfortunately, creative blocks are practically unavoidable. They will be frustrating but sometimes needed, and even beneficial. I hope with the help of this article you’ll find them easier to avoid, overcome, and learn from. Works Cited “5 Tips to Avoid ‘Creative Block.’” Odd Reform, 12 Mar. 2021, oddreform.com/blogs/odd-blog/5-tips-to-avoid-creative-block. Accessed Nov. 2023. Harjo, Joy. “Creative Block: Joy Harjo’s Tips to Overcoming Creative Block.” Master Class, 18 Jan. 2022, www.masterclass.com/articles/creative-block-explained. Accessed Nov. 2023. Heil, Jenna. “What Causes Creative Block?” RMCAD, 29 July 2020, www.rmcad.edu/blog/what-causes-creative-block/. Accessed Nov. 2023. Andrea. “9 Tips to Overcoming Creative Block.” Endpaper, 18 Feb. 2022, blog.paperblanks.com/2021/02/nine-tips-to-overcoming-creative-block/. Accessed Nov. 2023. Follow the writer @claywithcar on Instagram for more!

With hundreds of minority groups who face unfair treatment worldwide, positive representation is very important. It creates a place where these minority groups feel seen, safe, and appreciated. Although some authors try to create positive representation, they accidentally end up supporting harmful stereotypes. The more negativity and harmful ideas we can eliminate, the better. In this article, I will be explaining the importance of positive representation as well as how to include it in your writing without it feeling “performative” or forced. The Importance of Positive Representation Positive representation in literature is beneficial to people of all different ages and backgrounds. According to Albert Bandura’s “the father of self-efficacy theory,” if you see successful people who share your religion, skin color, gender identity, ethnicity, physical and mental ability, sexual orientation, etc. it may motivate you to be successful like them. Many people would somewhat agree with this theory. Sometimes seeing someone similar to you accomplish things proves to you that you can also accomplish things. Positive representation not only gives people motivation to achieve things and is inspiring, but also shows that anyone can do great things. In many situations, becoming successful can be difficult due to harmful stereotypes. An example of this is landlords not providing housing to people of color because of the stereotype that they can be “dangerous”. Another example is an employer denying someone with mental health issues a job because of the stereotype that they’re “unreliable”. Neither of these are true for everyone fitting into either category, and are extremely harmful. In some situations, these stereotypes can limit opportunities and even make it difficult for people to live comfortably. This is why making sure representation is positive is very important. If groups are represented in negative ways, some people are likely to form negative opinions about those groups. Along with this, groups are often represented incorrectly or in unrealistic ways. How to Add Positive Representation Do your research. Researching about groups you’re including in your writing is very important. Research can help you learn about a group’s culture and what they experience daily, which can both benefit writing and add positive representation. Some of the best sources you can find are actual opinions from people in the groups you’re writing about. Oftentimes, I try to find blogs or speak to people of minority groups in person for their opinion. A resource I have found useful is the Writers Helping Writers Blog, especially the “stereotypes” and “diversity” section. Please note, I do not gain any commission from sharing this link. Make your writing realistic. Exaggerating traits of characters can support harmful stereotypes, so instead try to include representation while keeping it at a realistic level. Oftentimes exaggeration of traits is paired with a harmful stereotype. An example of these used together is LGBTQ+ men being extremely feminine. The stereotype being that the men are feminine, and it being exaggerated. To do this you can introduce different traits depending on what makes sense in the situation. For example, you could show how a character is affected by stereotypes when they are relevant or brought up in the story, but not make it their whole personality. You can also add nuance to your writing by showing how characters behave differently based on their background. You want to show what people of different groups experience, but not make it unrealistic. Give characters their own identities. Although multiple people from the same group may share traits, they’re all individuals with their own identities. The key is to show both of these in a character. Treat groups equally. Making groups different from each other is important, and creates diversity. But, sometimes people are biased towards one group. You should try to create diversity between groups, while still remaining unbiased and treating all groups fairly. Avoid using stereotypes. Whether a stereotype is positive or negative, it still has harmful impacts. Many stereotypes lead to untrue opinions about groups. Also, stereotypes support the idea that everyone in a group is the same, despite the fact that everyone has their own unique identities. Typically, you can tell if something is a stereotype by seeing if it generalizes a group, puts high standards or negative ideations on a group, or makes assumptions about a group. Many people believe in stereotypes without intending to. Stereotypes are everywhere, and are nearly impossible to avoid. In fact, some individuals from minority groups have stereotypes about their own group because they’re so common. You can still try to help with the issue by trying to only seek out true information. An especially effective way to do this is to get information from people of minority groups themselves, which leads me to the next point. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Never be afraid to ask someone from a minority group questions regarding how they’re represented and involve them directly as editors and/or alpha/beta readers in your work. Many people would be happy to answer your question, and appreciate that you’re sincerely trying to make a difference. Overall, positive representation benefits everyone, if done right. The most important thing when trying to achieve this, is to remain respectful, be sincere, and work hard to get it right. As long as we all work together to create more non-stereotyped representation, develop well-rounded characters from diverse cultural backgrounds, and remove negativity regarding certain social groups, we can make a difference. I hope this article helped you to go on about how to do this, and help make a difference. References Jagoo, Krystal. “The Importance of Representation in Books.” Verywell Mind, 23 Jan. 2023, www.verywellmind.com/the-importance-of-representation-5076060. Accessed Oct. 2023. Elbaba, Rawan. “Why On-Screen Representation Matters, according to These Teens.” PBS NewsHour, 14 Nov. 2019, www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/why-on-screen-representation-matters-according-to-these-teens. Accessed Oct. 2023. Lambert, Karis. “Why Representation Matters.” Moorepay, 7 Feb. 2023, www.moorepay.co.uk/blog/why-representation-matters/#:~:text=With%20a%20lack%20of%20representation. Accessed Oct. 2023. Ackerman, Angela. “Representation in Literature: Why It’s Important & How to Handle It.” WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®, 10 Oct. 2018, writershelpingwriters.net/2018/10/representation-in-literature-why-its-important-and-how-to-handle-it/. Accessed Oct. 2023. Kaufman, Neal. “Seeing the Success of Others Makes Us More Likely to Succeed | Canary Health.” Canary Health, www.canaryhealth.com/seeing-success-of-others-social-modeling-neal/#:~:text=According%20to%20Albert%20Bandura%2C%20the. Accessed Nov. 2023. “How Do You Avoid Stereotyping People?” Www.linkedin.com, 7 Sept. 2023, www.linkedin.com/advice/0/how-do-you-avoid-stereotyping-people-skills-critical-thinking#learn-about-other-cultures-and-groups. Accessed Nov. 2023. Drew, Chris. “The 9 Types of Stereotypes (a Guide for Students).” Helpfulprofessor.com, 18 Oct. 2023, helpfulprofessor.com/types-of-stereotypes/. Accessed Nov. 2023. Follow the writer @claywithcar for more!

As November continues, writers from all backgrounds strive to win NaNoWriMo. But what is it? NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month, where writers compete against themselves to write 50,000 words in the span of one month. This is a goal the many writers push themselves to achieve, but it is no doubt a hard goal to complete. Yet many writers achieve this target (and some go even beyond), every year. How are they able to reach this target? Is it because they have a strong community to uphold them, or are they just sleep-deprived and chug coffee to stay alert? I believe it is all of these reasons and more that contribute to them winning NaNoWriMo. Aside from these reasons, I’m here to offer you a list of unorthodox ways to motivate yourself during this tiring month. List of Ways: Stalk Writing Professionals Change Page Format Explain Your WIP 1. Stalk Writing Professionals Whether it be your favourite New York Times #1 bestselling author or your dream agent, there is someone who has already emerged victorious from the querying trenches that cheers you on. Who do you look up to? Why is it that they inspire you? When you’re feeling like writing is too much, go and stalk their social media accounts. Most writing professionals understand how hard it is to write, and they love giving out advice. Many authors and agents have blogs where they discuss everything from their writing process to how they got published. Even if they don’t have blogs, their social media account can inspire you in ways that you don’t even notice. For example, a short reel of them first unboxing their author copies may help you to dream about a time when you may do so as well. No matter what they post, a writing professional’s social media account is a great way to motivate aspiring writers to one day follow in their footsteps. 2. Change Page Format You may ask, “Why should I change my page format? It doesn’t impact my overall word count,”. This is true, but what if I told you that simply changing your page format to A4 to paperback size can help motivate you? While it doesn’t change the amount of words, doesn’t it feel amazing to see the number of pages rise from 50 to 100? Some may argue that it would be cheating, but I argue that your work won’t change. After all, the word count is still the same; it's only the visual component which is altered. Don’t worry about the page number or ‘cheating’. Instead, look at the number and be proud. Use that pride to motivate yourself, and to continue writing this NaNoWriMo. 3. Explain Your WIP At first, this may seem like a useless point. And it will be, if you don’t explain your WIP to the right person. Find someone that you want to be your hype person, but doesn’t know about your manuscript (yet). Then sit down, have a cup of your favourite beverage and talk about the story from start to bottom. If you’re nervous about spilling your deepest story ideas, don’t fret! Your hype person is here to cheer you on and be excited about it with you. If they’re not enthusiastic enough to make you more thrilled, then choose someone else. During this conversation, be your true self. From plotting betrayals and plot twists or blushing when the characters confess their love, let this be the time to fall in love with your manuscript all over again. Remember what made you want to write this at first. Then, when you return back to writing, channel the bubbly excitement you felt when talking about it into writing. All writers are different, and not every tip may work for you. But no matter what, I hope that you can conquer NaNoWriMo and learn how to motivate and inspire yourself. You got this! Follow @sj_writesss for more.

Welcome to RTS, the only magazine to post a Halloween Special Feature... 5 days after Halloween. It's not our fault the college application deadline is on November 1st. Anyways. Welcome to spooky extravaganza. Note that these pieces are all Halloween-esque and thus predominantly revolve around issues and topics that might be triggering for some. Please proceed reading at your own risk. Table of Contents: Frankenstein's Lover Forever and Always (sing the vampires) true love The Haunted House Season of the witch The Witches’ Rendezvous Hues of You Mon Amour, The Ghost The Final Ritual Man Among Giants Witches of Hushfield My Eerie Birthday The Night Is Nearly Over Dancing in a demon’s embrace The Toyshop Where the Willows Weep Poetry Frankenstein’s Lover Flash of lightning Strike of thunder My heart is beating Behold, my wonder! Pushing away your cold, soft fingers I grab the lever Your touch lingers Together forever You twitch and shriek Unhappy you’re back Too weak to speak I pull you off the rack You groan, spit vile Wanting heaven I softly smile Knowing we’ll do this again by Tatum Bunker More Information: These were inspired by both Halloween and the idea that every part of a human is beautiful, including their insides. Instagram: @tatum_tot24601 Bio: Tatum Bunker is a freshman at Utah Valley University. She's an aspiring writer but majoring in Criminal Justice with a potential minor in Psychology. One day she wants a book of her published pieces as well as a possible novel. She loves thrifting and has a major sweet tooth. Feedback: Smrithi: Frankenstein is one of my favorite books so I LOVE this idea!! The imagery is vivid and descriptive, and I love the references to a "you". The ending is intriguing and leaves you wanting answers. Lovely piece! Bri: I enjoyed the concept of reviving a lover and therefore love. Ava: Fun, new look at a well known story with underlying commentary on relationships. Forever and Always (sing the vampires) I suck your neck with sharp teeth I slip the ring on your severed finger Waltzing with the dead, we sing Blushing soft as we wed in bed I slip the ring on your severed finger The evil spirits praise our union Blushing soft as we wed in bed We sip the blood of virgins The evil spirits praise our union The cross we burn, we hiss and bawl We sip the blood of virgins The moon glows bright, a gift from me to you The cross we burn, we hiss and bawl Waltzing with the dead, we sing The moon glows bright, a gift from me to you I suck your neck with sharp teeth by Tatum Bunker More Information: These were inspired by both Halloween and the idea that every part of a human is beautiful, including their insides. Instagram: @tatum_tot24601 Bio: Tatum Bunker is a freshman at Utah Valley University. She's an aspiring writer but majoring in Criminal Justice with a potential minor in Psychology. One day she wants a book of her published pieces as well as a possible novel. She loves thrifting and has a major sweet tooth. Feedback: Smrithi: This is an excellent piece! I love the imagery and diction. The clever repetition of the lines draws the reader in and I love how the poet has structured this poem. Definitely on theme and I love the vibe of this piece! Bri: I liked the variety of horror romance symbolism. Ava: A really creative format that makes you feel like you're putting together a puzzle. true love TW: gorey i rip your heart out we kiss, your guts stain my lips ‘til death do us part my fingers inside your ribcage, i rip your bones to get to you, true i write on your grave i want, i need, i crave you in my own red blood the mourners do cry they wear black, i wear your skin i, forever yours i rip my heart out for you, my guts stain the floor ‘til we meet again by Tatum Bunker More Information: These were inspired by both Halloween and the idea that every part of a human is beautiful, including their insides. Instagram: @tatum_tot24601 Bio: Tatum Bunker is a freshman at Utah Valley University. She's an aspiring writer but majoring in Criminal Justice with a potential minor in Psychology. One day she wants a book of her published pieces as well as a possible novel. She loves thrifting and has a major sweet tooth. Feedback: Smrithi: This is a descriptive and gorey but rich poem. I love the formatting and the tetret stanzas. It reads a bit like a song and I love that aspect of this piece. The imagery contributes to the spooky vibe of it and it definitely screams Halloween! Bri: I enjoyed the gore and the unconventional romance/love. Ava: A gorey declaration of grim love that feels very of the season. The Haunted House There’s a haunted house far, far away, isolated from everyone’s every day. Surrounded by deep waters that grumble, threatening to make their way over the plain. Filled with disappointment and anger within, sadness is the top layer that quakes but there’s a lot more below the surface, there lives a ghost with his circus. Inside the house it is pale, I was there, running, running away As the ghost creeped up on me and whispered, as it went on to speak “Why did you let them treat you that way? You knew right and wrong, why did you steer the steering wheel their way? You knew what was going on, you were supposed to be strong ,What happened? Why did you hold on? To everything serving you the worst that they could, you fool” Mocking “You couldn’t decipher lies from truth” The voice gets louder as it says, again and again, the same old song, it plays, it knows no end More voices join in Screaming, “You knew their intentions! Why did you not runaway then? Should’ve would’ve, how could you not have? I can drown in these memories as the voice it overpowers me The ghost wraps his arms, almost encompassing me When I wake up and realise I need to leave Or I’ll always be in a haunted house, haunting me Is who they think I am, the way they see by Lavengeriene Blue More Information: This poem talks about an experience in your life where you may have been mistreated and while the moment is gone, the memory remains - coming back in flashbacks time and again. This, I believe, goes well with the theme of Halloween using some of its key symbols like ghosts, haunted house and a spooky atmosphere. Instagram: @lavengeriene_blue Bio: Lavengeriene Blue is a new artist who uses writing as a way of self-expression and aims to give a physical form for the emotions we feel. She strives to incorporate sounds and visuals to better solidify the feelings or experiences ,and in doing so tries to bridge the gap between poetry and people who find writings to be intimidating. Feedback: Smrithi: I love the idea of this piece and how the author has chosen to write it. The last two paragraphs are wonderful and really connect back to the idea the author is trying to showcase. Lovely!! <3 Bri: I love the deeper meaning. Ava: A message about guilt and trauma in a halloween costume of ghosts and haunted houses. Season of the witch It’s been twelve moons and a half, it’s been two new crows over the roof, five pumpkin pies, forty one tears and one empty house. The fall makes me a question that stirs my guts from the inside out: “What’s a widow with no corpse?”. I never thought about the “without”, but I guess it’s marauding with no soul or manor to haunt. “Never trust a witch” is what they say, what they didn’t tell is that no candy was ever sweeter than the spookiest, sourest spot of you. “Never trust a witch”, but tell me then why do I live without regret for these forty two tears I have shed for two eerie eyes I won’t see again. by Teresa M. Medina More Information: I think it would be a good fit because, as it is not a ghost story or a horror tale, it can provide diversity in the issue, topic-wise, while still being related to Halloween. I think versatility is a key point when it comes to engaging readers, and it can also show the flexibility of the issue prompts. Instagram: @louvre_in_blue Bio: She's a 16 year old science student from Spain that tries to write as much poetry as possible while she attempts to make it through the last year of high school. She also loves books and movies, which means she can procrastinate in lots of different ways. This piece is about the anniversary effect that comes with loss, about how the pain lasts and lasts and some things just bring the memories back, like halloween in this case. What I feel is important about it is the idea of grief as a consequence of love, as an extension of the feelings we had for that witch that flew away on her broomstick. Feedback: Smrithi: A thought-provoking piece. I love how time is told through staple concepts relating to halloween and the end of the introduction sets the scene. Humanity being questioned regarding body horror and the idea of eternity is apparent in horror and reminiscent of equality. It seems as though there’s two plots happening and while I think they are both well done, they were confusing and jarring when suddenly mentioned. I believe if you had a few lines or a section where you explored how they were connected, it would improve the flow. Bri: Enjoyed that the first stanza/intro is very halloween-esque and whimsical. Ava: A breakup message everyone knows but this piece shows it in a new light that goes perfectly with a halloween theme! The Witches’ Rendezvous "When shall we three meet again, In thunder, lightning, or in rain?" In the shadows of the night, When the hungry wolves the moon do sight. When forest beasts shall lurk and prowl, And vigil is kept by sentinel owl, Away from the bustle and commotion, We shall brew our magic potion. On Sabbath day near the brier, We'll set a cauldron, light a fire; And churn and churn till the spell is done, And vanish ere the morning sun. When night returns in sable veil, Then we three shall this spell impale Upon the wanderers passing by, As cackling on our brooms we fly. by R.S. More information: My poem "The Witches' Rendezvous", starts with and is inspired by the famous opening lines of William Shakespeare's play "Macbeth", and it has all the eerie and spooky elements pertaining to the Halloween theme. Instagram: @thepoetrywindmill Bio: R.S. resides in India and writes Poetry to find harmony in life. She graduated with Honours in English and loves to read and write poetry. She is greatly influenced and inspired by the poetry of Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron, Edgar Allan Poe, Robert Frost, Pablo Neruda, W.H. Auden and William Butler Yeats to name a few. She loves nature walks and rises early to feel inspired with the morning star and create new rhymes. Feedback: Smrithi: This is a very Halloween-esque poem and I love it! The rhyming scheme flows wonderfully and I like that it's inspired by Macbeth. The poem has both a whimsical and spooky feel to it. Excellent idea and execution! Bri: I liked the reuniting with horror undertones. Ava: This piece has a great rhythm to it when read and I always love a witch story. Hues of You TW: Implicit mentions of emotional abuse and murder Red, such excellency, is the hue all for you Every shade of you, blissfully blesses me When we met, graced me with purple My eyes lit up as you glowed in yellow Three cherished words, all perfectly pink Fill me with poisonous lies, tar all black Belittle me with your stabbing green eyes Watch them turn white in a hurry Screech with fright that chills the auroma Chills with silenced screams as my ear bleeds Red, such excellency, is the only hue for you The only hue meant for you for infinite Your spirit is satisfied with my orange apparel No matter, no matter, my precious poison Your colors thankfully, harshly, faded by Brianna D. Paulino More Information: Not necessarily Halloween, but does with the creepy/horror factor. It's a short poem-styled story about the narrator implicitly murdering their toxic lover and ending up going to jail (thus wearing orange), however, the narrator shows no remorse. It would fall into the horror factor because it is terrifying to imagine a scenario occurring like that in real life. Whether it's emotionally harming the partner or straight up taking their life away. Instagram: @Brananaa22 Bio: Brianna Paulino is a dedicated and determined high school Hispanic student who has a strong for creative writing and helping others. Founding a youth-led organization (The Cleverly Creatives), she puts in her effort to give others an opportunity to share their creativity. She has published work on various websites such as The Graveyard Zine and Gen Z: We Are The Future. She writes, crochets, journals, and listens to music during her free time. Feedback: Smrithi: I love the layers of this poem! On first read it may seem confusing and simply a bunch of colors put together but as you start reading between the lines, the layers of meaning are unveiled to you! Love how much thought is put into this poem, plus the vibes are so on theme <3 Bri: I enjoyed the colours and character association. Ava: A poem that is a very creative use of colors to carry across a bloody story. Fiction Mon Amour, The Ghost The brittle crunch of orange and brown, their fragility almost pitiful under my worn Doc Martens. I wear the so-called aesthetic threads of autumn, fingerless gloves that serve no purpose of warmth but the fickle ploy of obsolete expenditure. I clutch my phone, the smell of pumpkin spice and root vegetables comes in waves through the screen and I sniff, compliantly; the fumes of commercialised commodities. Deliciously pathetic. I remember the days of Fruit Salads and BlackJacks, Drumsticks and Jazzies in a flimsy orange pail; back when I’d the audacity to knock on stranger’s houses and demand confectionery. I’d a fifty/ fifty yet always be granted my latter request. Dan from down-the- road hadn’t quite the charisma for improvised japes. I recall, with beclouded nostalgia, the days of cheap, plastic-y wigs and scratchy attire numbed by the tackiness of Poundland makeup. Mother’s eyeliner cobwebs freehanded with jejune adroitness. Tell me of now, you then insist, a faint plea in my ear that whispers like an echo, what of it now? I suppose you wouldn’t recognise it, I reply with nonchalant honesty. And you wouldn’t, really, for the days of Samhain and Alholowmesse’s sweeping Catholicism have long since been trampled by tacky consumerism. The quaint souling now but a diabetic’s minefield and jaw-breaking toffee apples. You’ve the Celts to thank for communal feasts and I’ve Starbucks to thank for Skeleton gingerbread. Your costumes serve tribute to Equinox and Solstice yet I only served Amazon profits. You laugh then; boisterous chuckles that taint the air like a virus, shakes what leaves still cling haphazardly to the trees with abrasive coolness that always makes me shiver. With delight my love, of course, for you’ve livened the world with your presence again. Oh, how the mighty have fallen! You exclaim, with that regency-poet-style ostentatiousness that I’ve grown fond of, is Hallowed Eve thus forever infantilised? Aye I nod, afraid so. I think then of what health and safety would make of open bonfires, the folklorish fiction of Stingy Jack who once, you tell me, tricked the Devil and is now forced to roam earth with burning coal. Perhaps the Scot’s turnip carvings would be better suited to ward spirits with LED enhancements; jellied window stickers of the aged innocents you once burned. Not all is lost, you tell me, I shall embrace these queer commodities if it means we can keep the threshold. Tradition is but an extravagance. Damn you and your purple prose - but I understand. Times have changed in regressive infantilization yet, centuries forward, our ‘quintessential’ remains. I feel you then, for a second of tangibility before the hand on my shoulder is lost to cruel logistics. A warm peck from cold lips on my cheek. Must go, you announce - and I’m left with the dross of modernity again - phone vibrating through my palm; wasp-like and insatiable. I left a maple cold brew for you. My pitiful seasonal tribute. Name? They asked. Oh. It’s for mon amour, the ghost. by Robin Pearson More Information: I’d like to think the Halloween nostalgia is something a lot of people can relate to - as can they connect with the modern traditions that we’ve accepted in our culture without really knowing why! Instagram: @rob1n_pearson Bio: Robin Pearson is a queer poet from the UK who enjoys writing, gothic lit, and accumulating knowledge of their hyper fixation. They’ll most likely be found re-watching a show for the Xth time or thrifting with an armful of jumpers. Feedback: Smrithi: I love how this piece is written! The idea is splendid and I love the references to various Halloween traditions. The end note that all is not lost gives hope and ends the piece on a great note. Love this piece <3 Bri: I enjoyed the criticism of capitalism and how traditions change over time. Ava: Great commentary on commercialization of traditions and holidays. I really enjoy the idea of the ghost and its place in the story. The Final Ritual Trigger Warning: Mention of Blood and allusion to the crucifixion of Christ The evening crept by slowly as we waited for the moon to show itself. I sat on the edge of the group, eyes wavering from face to face. In the soft lilting glow of the burning torches, they all looked the same. Impatient and hungry. So hungry. A chill crept down my spine and lodged itself in the raised hairs on the back of my skin. You would think that after these many years, I’d get used to it but I never was. I don’t think, I’ll ever be. Someone called my name. I knew the man but at the moment, his identity escaped me. All I could see in his face was a ravenous longing. But still, I went to him. Better those nameless girls than me. “Wass the matter?” I asked, my voice echoing through the crowd. As was usual, they were eerily quiet. “The girl’s being brought in now,” the man said, grinning like a skeleton. “I hope your knife’s sharpened enough.” “Has it ever not been?” I challenged and the man’s grin widened, white teeth poking from his shadowy skin, resembling a monster from my darkest dreams. I smiled, looked away, and began to lose myself in the process of waiting. Around us, the night began to darken until we could barely see even ourselves, and then, the moon rose, illuminating the mouthless desire on each face. A cheer went through the crowd like a long, low shiver. I waited for it to die down. And when it did, the girl was brought out, mouth gagged, eyes wide, staring helpless, like a deer in bright light. I averted my own gaze. To look at her face would be to familiarise myself with her existence, and when she was destined for death, why must I put myself through the pain? That’s the reasoning I’ve always lived with. The harvest moon bathed us in a soft light as the unnamed girl was bound to the stake, her hands spread on each end. The irony was not missed by me, but like every bit of conscience, I stored it in the back of my head, locked away tightly. They gathered around her, eyes dripping with hunger and called for me. This was it. My time to prove myself as I’ve always done, that I was a part of them. I gathered all my apathy and walked up to her. Ignoring the wide eyes, I slashed her throat, a perfect stroke. The blood, the smell, the rest was but an afterthought. Everybody rejoiced as the blood dribbled down my shoes. My job was done. Like every other time. I turned, away from her. That was the last mistake I ever made. It would forever haunt me, perhaps even through afterlife, if there is such a thing for someone like me. As the girl stalked towards me, her steps slow and pondering, I let a prayer slip through my lips. It was left unheard by every deity. by Amian Bent More Information: This story was dually inspired by the witch huntings of Salem as well as one of the prompts on Rewrite the Stars' Instagram. I think it would be a good fit for the magazine's halloween theme because it has a sense of lingering horror and a creepy, atmospheric feel to it. Instagram: @words_of_an_endangerd_soul_ Bio: Amian Bent is a young writer from India, who's been writing fiction and poetry for five years now. Her writing journey started with the idea of a novel, one that's in the constant process of development and will hopefully be published in the near future. When not writing, she is busy reading Gothic literature or Young Adult Fiction, and listening to different types of music. Apart from writing, she's also interested in photo editing and nature photography. Feedback: Smrithi: This piece is marvelous! I love the cryptic feel of it and the suspense is illustrated extremely well. I love the idea of it and how the author has chosen to write it. Excellent! Bri: I liked the cult idea. Ava: A chilling, atmospheric story that is perfect for a dark, halloween night. Blood, manipulation, revenge, oh my! Man Among Giants There is a woman in the clouds. There is a stranger up above with silky moonlit hair that flutters with every gust of wind. Around her slender neck is a stunning strand of diamonds. They glint in my direction, and I can’t help but grin at the sky like a madman in love. My lips part, in awe of her magnificent presence. As she moves, little wisps of clouds curl around her feet as if carving a path for her. I must reach her, but how? While she travels the sky, I am grounded to this earth’s soil by gravity. I sink to my knees and nurse my grievances until an idea rekindles my newfound feelings. I abruptly stand up and sprint to my shed. Gathering my sketchbook and graphite, I formulate my plan. Stroke after stroke, my eagerness grows. With this invention, I can reach the woman in the clouds! 3 years later... It’s done. I have perfected my stilts. Walking outside, lightly dragging the poles on the sidewalk, I halt at my destination. I take a deep breath and begin preparing. I strap on the stilts, attach its base to the leveled pavement, and push hard on the soles. With a shuddered jolt and metallic whine, the stilts grow in length. “I’m soaring!” I gasp. With every passing moment, the ground turns into my past. My heart gallops in anticipation of the perfect moment. Glancing up, I see her approaching her usual spot. Almost there...almost there. My pace slows. I’ve reached the clouds. I’ve reached her. “Excuse me, ma’am!” I call out. Her head tilts with curiosity. Her movements stop, and the clouds around her feet dart impatiently. So close. I offer a kind smile, and the woman glides closer to me. “I’m from down there,” I point below the clouds. Her gaze follows my strangely worn, yet polished fingers. “I saw you once long ago, and I couldn’t help but admire your presence. In fact, I brought a gift for you.” She smiles back, finally at ease. The mist grows languid, and I seize the chance. Bending down to unlatch a hidden compartment from my right stilt, I show her a jewel-encrusted piece of metal. Her eyes glitter at the bejeweled gift, and I carefully place it in her outstretched hands and close her fingertips around it. She holds it close to her heart, and I watch with apprehension as her grip tightens. Clink! Thud. The noise reverberates through the fog. The woman in the clouds falls still on the buttermilk sky. I smirk. Everyone knows giants love gifts, and most importantly, are hoarders. Her unyielding greed brought on her own doom. I merely didn’t tell her about the dial that activated the poison-coated knife. I suppose her kind doesn't have switchblades. Unclipping the garish necklet from her still body, I make my descent and let out a loud guffaw at the irony: I’m a man walking on stilts among giants! by Sophia Bernabe More Information: When I began writing this story, I was actually trying to write one of my supplemental essays for college applications. It started off with the idea of hiding amongst giants by wearing stilts. With this, I was trying to convey this feeling of trying to catch up with everyone else and not belonging—similar to imposter syndrome. As I kept thinking, my essay devolved into a story of a person who built stilts to reach the sky and achieve their dreams. When I saw the Halloween prompt on Instagram, I immediately began fine-tuning the plot to be a better fit for this magazine. Instagram: @sophiebrnb_ Bio: Sophia Bernabe is a senior in high school aspiring to be an anesthesiologist. Because of the publication of her piece “Alienation From My Culture” to the HaluHalo Journal and her leadership in the Life Savers Club, which brings in specialists to educate students on what often hides behind a paywall, Sophia is keen on combining medicine and English to aid the underrepresented in fulfilling their dreams so that medicine and fiction alike can become a more diverse space. Feedback: Smrithi: This piece is so interesting! I love the concept and how the author has written it. Simple but exquisite. The plot twist at the end is surprising and adds a nice touch to the story. Bri: I loved the plot twist at the end and theme of greed. Ava: Fantastical story with a twist. Feels like an old fairytale. Witches of Hushfield There used to be witches in Hushfield. Not the kind with green, wart-covered skin and thinly veiled anti-semitic hooked noses. Not the kind with melodramatic, wide brimmed and pointed caps. Not the kind who ate children or cursed them. The kind with drab puritan attire but a light in their eyes. The kind who knew how to communicate with the aching whispers of the woods. These witches were subtle, plucking the strings between life and death like harps. These witches knew they could be burned or hanged, but ne’er imagined they would suffer a fate far worse by the hands of people vindicated by the so-called grace of God. There used to be witches in Hushfield. There are witches in Hushfield. Not the kind who eat children, but the kind who are children. Not the kind who cast curses, but are themselves cursed. Not the kind with drab puritan attire. No, these witches wear converse that crunch leaves beneath their feet. These witches listen to Nirvana. These witches drink Coca-Cola and smoke cigarettes just outside the backdoor of their minimum wage job. These witches are cheerleaders, homecoming queens. These witches are honors students, less than honorable sons. These witches are tri-sport athletes, attending tutoring between practices to keep their mama happy. These witches are sent visions of the future, but spent more time playing M*A*S*H and cootie catchers with friends. These witches listen to true crime, convinced they’d someday fall prey to the same. These witches do part-time ghost photography. These witches sneak kisses, knowing exactly what would happen if anyone found out, reeling from the rush of the risk. These are witches entering the fall semester of their senior year, ignoring the glances of solidarity from their fellows. Ignoring the aching whispers of the woods. Ignoring the mysticism that has undertoned their lives. Ignoring the bones half unburied in the dark earth. Ignoring the glances of suspicion from the other residents of Hushfield. Everyone knows something is off about those kids. It’s something about the eyes. Dilated pupils that seem to see beneath the surface. It’s something about the lips. Mouths that twitch from the incantations they know in their soul but were never taught the words to. Everyone knows something is off about those kids, they just don’t have a word to put to it. ‘Witch’ is archaic. As are witch hunts. That will not stop the residents of Hushfield from sharpening their pitchforks and their pitch-forked tongues, hungry for more blood to wash away the tragedies. There are witches in Hushfield, and they are just as safe as they were 400 years ago. by Adia Reynolds More Information: This draws off original characters in a deeper story but can also be read in a stand alone way. This isn't just about creepy witches and Halloween haunts. This draws off how often the marginalized and vulnerable were held culpable for "witchcraft". I also was inspired by the rhythm and repetition of the famous poem "We Real Cool". These witches are just trying to get through their senior year of high school, but no one can deny there's something off about them. Instagram: @cryptic.cryptid.writes Bio: Adia Reynolds is a coffee-loving honors student majoring in English with a writing concentration. Her works have been published in three prior magazines, and she someday hopes to work her way up to publishing a full novel. When she's not writing she spends her time playing video games and listening to plot summaries. Feedback: Smrithi: Oh my god I love this piece. It's descriptive, it's creative, and it's perfectly on theme! I love the darker notes interwoven with the lighter mentions of our daily routines. The last line is truly marvelous. Overall, this is a brilliant piece that perfectly captures the spirit of Halloween! Bri: The vocabulary, sheer variety of examples and the continuity of the theme of women. Ava: A slow descent into discovery of these modern witches. Very memorable last line. My Eerie Birthday As I tossed and turned in my bed, my eyes opened just a crack. Through blurry vision, I made out the numbers on the clock beside my schoolbooks: '00:03', and beneath them, '31st of October'. So, it was officially my birthday. Wondering what it had in store for me this year, I acknowledged the new chapter awaiting me, closed my eyes, and embraced my pillow, feeling a faint smile painting my face. Slowly drifting off, a sudden bump that felt like it was coming from below my bed jolted me upright. I sat there, heart pounding, fixing my gaze straight ahead. The only things I could hear were my heart pounding in my chest and my erratic breathing pattern. Cold sweat gathered on my forehead, and my hands were clenching the sheets. Summoning every ounce of courage, I decided to investigate, not sure if I was doing the right thing. My gut was telling me to flee my so-called “safe space” as fast as possible, but something- I don’t know what- was screaming at my brain to check out who- or what was under my bed. Lowering my head, I grasped the sheets that obscured my view. Slowly, I lifted them, a wave of regret washing over me. Staring back at me were two glowing blood-red eyes that seemed to pierce my very soul. I couldn’t even see an outline of a face, body, anything. My hair rose all over my body, and my breath caught in my throat. I froze. Time seemed to stand still. That’s when I heard growling, presumably also coming right from where the red dots were staring at me. Without a second thought, I turned and fled from my room, feeling my eyes beginning to fill with tears. As I reached the hallway, I slammed the door shut and propped a chair beneath the handle, hoping it would serve as a barricade- at least until the morning. Running down the stairs and almost tripping, I jumped on the sofa and pulled the blanket that was on it over my head, finally letting my emotions come out. I tried hopelessly to muffle my cries with my hands. I still felt them staring at me, somehow. I was exhausted. The next thing I knew it was morning, my mother found me, confused, with the blanket up to my torso. I tried to explain to her what happened, but she wouldn’t believe me, saying that these are only excuses I tend to make up to stay up late. Like a guillotine falling over my head, I heard her shouting to go and make my bed. A chill ran up my spine as I slowly made my way back up the stairway, prolonging my eventual face-off with whatever that was. I put my hand on the doorknob, but I was interrupted. “Come in,” a low voice on the other side of the door announced. by Alexandra Ilie More Information: I strongly believe that my story is a good fit for your magazine. This tale delves into one of my deepest fears, intertwined with a spine-chilling Halloween myth that has fascinated and haunted me for years. Instagram: @mariuuwuu Bio: Alexandra-Maria Ilie entered the world on October 30, 2005, in Bucharest, Romania's vibrant capital. Her love for literature and writing has been a constant companion since her early years in elementary school. However, it was in the 7th grade, at the age of 13, that she truly began to nurture her talent, sharing her imaginative creations with the world through her own blog. From that moment on, Alexandra-Maria has dedicated herself to honing her skills, captivating audiences with her works. Feedback: Smrithi: This piece is simple and marvelous and reminiscent of various different Halloween stories. I love how the author captures the horror and spooky feel right away with descriptive language. We are immersed directly into the narrator's POV and we feel their fear as ours. I love the ending and how it's haunting but also intriguing. We want to learn more and figure out what happened. Great piece, perfect for Halloween! Bri: I loved the idea of literally something going 'bump' in the night and the cliffhanger ending! Ava: Great ending that leaves the reader wondering what happened next. The Night Is Nearly Over Trigger warnings: body horror, terror, death Kian opened his eyes to see …nothing. He blinked, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the darkness, and tried to move, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t move any of his limbs. It was like he was paralysed. Kian could feel fear creeping up his throat, but the only thing he could do was try to regulate his breathing, a technique that rarely helped him in usual times. He couldn’t see the clock, but he scrunched up his eyes, hoping he would fall back asleep. The night is nearly over. The night is nearly over. He repeated to himself, hoping to any God that might be listening that it was true. But his heart sank as he heard a chuckle. “Oh, Kian, you sweet summer child.” A ghastly, growling voice mocked him. He could hear the smile invading its words. “Do you really think you’re safe here?” Kian tried everything in his power not to listen to it, his eyes still closed, but a tight claw grabbed his face, squeezing his jaw so tightly it hurt. “I am safe. You’re not real.” Kian tried to appear confident, but even he could hear the shake in his voice. The voice laughed. “You think you’re safe in your bed, Kian? Is this your bed?” It taunted him as it pried his eyes open. With a horrific jolt Kian realised he was in a torture chamber of the 1500s, and that he was tied down to a rake. He felt his limbs start to be stretched, further and further and further. He screamed… And then he was back in his bed, trapped in his own body. The voice laughed. “You silly boy. You know that this is all in your mind. Why are you torturing yourself like this, Kian?” The voice had taken on a mocking tone, and Kian felt a tear leak out of his eye. He just wanted to go back to sleep. No. He was done with this now. He would not be a victim to this night terror anymore. “I banish you.” He whispered. The voice scoffed. “What was that?” It asked, his voice suddenly innocent. “I am in charge here. Not you. And I want you gone!” Kian shouted. Pride surged through his chest and he felt his foot twitch. He went to sit up, and- “You want me gone?!” The voice growled, and Kian suddenly felt a searing pain surge across his neck. He saw scarlet blood spurt from what used to be his throat, and his vision went cloudy. He felt himself fall backwards, and… by Sarah R. New More Information: This piece was written as an exercise into writing Gothic literature. I think it fits the theme as it's creepy and scary, and I think it has appeal to teens who are looking for gateway horror stories or experimenting with different forms of horror stories, as I did as a teen. Instagram: @aldbera Bio: Sarah R. New is in her late 20s, but has been writing since the age of 6. After graduating from university with a BA in Film Studies, she dabbled in screenwriting before returning to fiction writing. Sarah loves to cook and bake, spends most of her time with her cats and is an avid traveller who has visited four continents. Her travel memoir, The Great European Escape: The Trials and Tribulations of Travelling While Chronically Ill, is available for free from https://sarahrnew.wordpress.com/. Feedback: Smrithi: This piece blurs the lines between reality and fantasy and I love how effectively it does so! We readers wonder whether the 'monster' is real or simply in the narrator's head, and the ending leaves us with more questions than answers. The spooky feel is present throughout and I love how descriptive the writing is! The ending was horrifying in the best way possible. Great piece! Bri: I liked the idea of convincing yourself 'it's nearly day' 'night is nearly over' to be safe, you know? Ava: I enjoyed how your sleep paralysis demons have come back to haunt you in this piece, and they're here to play mind games. Dancing in a demon’s embrace TW - blood, violence, knives Pomegranate juice drips watery red onto previously pristine white pages. Cream contrasts dark, bitter coffee. Energetic hip-hop music plays while you and I are slow dancing. It's romantic, borderline sensual, and you're holding me with that soft smile that tells me you love me. Living in the shell of that angelic demeanour, disguised as a warm heart and saccharine words, is a maniacal, sadistic demon running amok, blood dripping from its teeth and just barely concealed. Your grip on my waist is possessive and painful, sugar-coated words fraying at the edges with malice. A flash of silver, a blade driven in so deep only a leather-covered hilt is visible, but its glory is shadowed by the crimson spreading fast over white lacy bodice and sticky scarlet running over lips and onto your dress shirt. "You demon," I croak, and then fall like the leaves in the autumn, dancing to their demise. by Xann More Information: My friend sent the link for the Halloween submissions to me and I thought, "Why not?" So I went to look for inspiration and then realized I could write a dark-academic theme for Halloween, so I did. Instagram: @magicallyliterary Bio: Xann is a teen poet who is absolutely terrible at math but loves pretty words. Feedback: Smrithi: The dark academic vibes are definitely present throughout this piece. I love the vivid imagery that helps us visualize the scene in our mind's eye. The ending is intriguing and the last line is written so poetically! Great piece overall and seems fitting for Halloween :) Bri: I enjoyed the vivid descriptions and overall lovely, rich dark tone. Ava: Gives the feeling of classical music playing over a dark waltz. Sets the mood and aesthetic of dark academia with ease. The Toyshop TW: loss of consciousness WC: 479 They screamed, trying to warn the unsuspecting travellers, but their voices had been locked and muted the day their souls were sewn into these lifeless faces and porcelain limbs, and their minds were trapped in these stringed bodies. *** The bell chimed as the three travellers stepped in. A robed man stood behind the counter, peering at them through spectacles. He introduced himself as the Collector. ‘The Collector of what?’ Gawain asked. The Collector only smirked, gesturing toward some seats. Shelves upon shelves full of all sorts of dolls surrounded a wooden table. Something felt off but Gisela couldn’t place it. A sweet scent returned her attention to the Collector, who glided to the table with a pot of tea and four china cups. He poured himself and each traveller a cup of tea. Gisela lifted the cup, letting the flowery smell fill her senses. ‘What’s in the tea?’ asked Sigrid. ‘Local flowers and herbs,’ the Collector said. He gulped down his tea. Sigrid raised her eyebrows. Gisela fixed her eyes on Gawain as he took a tentative sip. ‘Did you hear that?’ Sigrid questioned. ‘Hear what?’ replied Gawain, turning his head toward the witch. Sigrid shook her head to clear it. ‘Something high pitched. Human but also… Distinctly not human.’ ‘I heard nothing,’ stated the Collector. Gisela shook her head at Sigrid and did not realise until she’d swallowed mouthfuls of tea. It felt smooth on her tongue and warm in her throat. She took another sip and smiled at Sigrid, content to spend some quiet time with her girlfriend. Sigrid returned the smile before lifting the teacup to her lips. ‘Now for business,’ Gawain began. But Gisela was too busy staring at her girlfriend to listen to her brother. She knew what they were here for, and what Gawain would talk about, so she tuned his voice out. Sigrid’s lips moved out of sync with her voice. Gisela couldn’t hear her. She wasn’t sure what they came here for. Something felt off. Perhaps more tea would help. The sweet flowery scent enticed her to swallow mouthful after mouthful. The room spun and her ears rang. Someone shook her. Her eyes were unfocused, barely kept open. Wave after suffocating wave washed over her as she fought to stay conscious. She was acutely aware of the throbbing in her head and the cold sweat on her face. Slurs of familiar voices rose above the currents before being dragged under. She felt the body that she no longer had a connection to being lifted. Rushed movements tickled her consciousness. Flashes of light and shadow passed before her unseeing eyes. Non-human voices bounced across the room and echoed. The welcoming scent of flowers wafted around her, forming soft tendrils that caressed her cheeks. Their arms reached at her, inviting her to join them in the next realm. She was ready to succumb. by Owl More information: It's the spooky part of my WIP and involves a Collector of Souls who sews souls into dolls and puppets. Instagram: @owl_writes Bio: Owl lives almost exclusively in her head and is in love with all the characters she created. Her favourite genres are fantasy and historical fiction. Spooky season gave her an excuse to skip ahead in her WIP instead of writing chronologically. Feedback: Smrithi: This is such a cool piece! The idea is unique and I love how the author has written it. From the very first line you feel as though something is off but as the story progresses, it gets progressively creepier and weirder. Excellent writing -- I love how the last paragraph is vivid and really draws the reader in. Bri: I liked the idea of someone hearing something the others didn't. Ava: A well written short that leaves me wanting to read further. Where the Willows Weep “This place is perfect,” said Brendan, as with a satisfied sweep of his hand he gestured towards the grounds of the Airbnb they had rented for the night. “Perfect?” asked Samantha in a voice laced with skepticism. “Yes. Absolutely! A brooding old manor, a creepy old pond encircled by weeping willows and these grounds. I tell you; these grounds are haunted.” “If I recall correctly, that’s pretty much what you said last time ...” “So, what are you trying to say,” broke in Brendan, “that this is useless?” “No,” she replied tiredly, “maybe it’s time to reconsider all of this. We’ve had this channel for almost six months now, and if you rule out editing and camera effects, we haven’t posted anything with even the slightest hint of a spook.” “But this place, it’s got a spooky air. I’m sure we’re going to find something tonight,” murmured Brendan as he gazed out at the fast-falling twilight. “Got the camera?” asked Samantha as they trekked through the overgrown brush. “Right here,” Rita patted the pouch slung across her neck. “According to local legends,” whispered Samantha, “these grounds are haunted by the ghost of a girl who wanders around wailing at midnight.” “Let’s set things up near the pond, should have a good view of things from there.” It was a clear night with hundreds of stars glimmering in the old pond, encircled by its ever-watchful guard of willows. As the minutes ticked by, the night grew lovelier still and the moon sailed across the starlit sky accompanied by a court of wispy clouds. “It’s half past twelve,” said Samantha dryly, “let’s wrap up ... nothing’s going to happen tonight.” “Shh, listen,” hissed Rita. There came upon the wind the distant sound of sobbing, getting nearer with every passing second. “The ghost,” hissed Rita as she focused the camera on the patch of trees from where a soft blue glow emanated. An eerie silence replaced the sound of crickets as the blue glow drew nearer, leaving the trio rooted to the ground as the hazy glow materialized into the weeping ghost of a young girl. “A wailing ghost,” crowed Brendan. “Quiet,” came the whispered reply, “you’ll scare her away.” The ghost girl continued towards the pond, seemingly unaware of her breathless audience. “Let’s follow her,” said Brendan as he made his way through the trees. When they finally caught up, she was hidden amongst the willows crouched over something on the ground, sobbing for a while before disappearing into a blue mist. When dawn broke over the town, it carried with it the tale of the brave little dog who had died one cold winter’s morning while trying to rescue a little girl who fell through the ice on the pond. Back among the willows that swept the water’s edge a tiny grave, inscribed with the epitaph ‘Maxie, the best dog that ever lived’, was heaped over with forget-me-nots that gleamed blue in the gray light of dawn. by Yvanka Maria Guia Rebelo More information: It features ghosts and ghost hunters Instagram: @a.quiver.of.tales Bio: Yvanka Rebelo is a bookworm and writer who is firmly convinced that words are magic. Feedback: Smrithi: I love how a large majority of this piece is dialogue but we still get enough context to understand the story. The second half of the story is quite descriptive and I love how we really get a feel for the environment. Unique idea and great storytelling! Bri: I enjoyed the ghost hunting, dynamics between the cast, and ghost legend. Ava: A sweet twist on a ghostly haunting! Follow us @rewritethestarsreview and these remarkable writers for more!

Whenever I submit to literary magazines, I often wonder what happens behind the scenes. How many people read my submission? Does it go through multiple rounds of reading? Who makes the final decision on whether to accept it or not? Could I have changed the piece slightly to increase its chances of acceptance? Are there different kinds of rejection letters based on how many rounds of reading your piece got through before being rejected? Were there other factors at play that contributed to the decision of my piece? Why specifically was it accepted/rejected? Almost all of these questions remain unanswered for the various magazines I have submitted to. However, as the founder of my own magazine, I thought it would be a good idea to answer these questions for those of you who submit to our publication. I hope these convince you to submit in the future! List of Questions: What is the inital reading process like? What is the rubric? When is a decision on my submission made? Could I change my piece slightly to increase chances of acceptance? Does my piece go through multiple rounds of reading? Are there different kinds or versions of rejection and acceptance letters based on my piece’s score? Why was I specifically accepted or rejected? What happens if I’m accepted? Were there other factors at play that contributed to the decision of my piece? What is the initial reading process like? Currently our magazine consists of three editors — Bri, Ava, and I. We have a common spreadsheet where all the pieces and genre are added, and there are separate categories for each of us. We read each piece, write a short paragraph of feedback and our initial thoughts of the piece, score it based on a pre-decided rubric, and make our personal decision. If there are notes we want to make on the piece for the other two editors to see, we add that in a separate column. We each read at our own pace and whatever order we’d like to. There’s one overall deadline (usually one or two days after submissions close) by when we must all individually finish reviewing all the pieces. What is the rubric? Each of us provide scores out of 5 for the following five categories: Originality & Innovation Writing/Art Storytelling Adherence to Theme Appeal Thus each piece gets a final score out of 75. Originality & Innovation: Let’s take our ‘kindle the flame’ theme for example. We got many submissions that spoke about a literal flame. Some described it, some wrote stories of bonfires and arson, and some made the flame evil. These pieces weren’t bad at all — many were published in the issue - but the ideas weren’t out-of-the-box. There was only one submission that interpreted the theme as something we’d work tirelessly for, something that kindles our flame, and wrote a poem about a chef who craves validation. This submission was made even better by the author’s explanation of how their mother owns a bakery and it inspired the piece. You can read the piece “How to Cook up Success” by Nai in issue iii: kindle the flame. Our themes are usually quite broad and we want to see unique and creative interpretations of it. That isn’t to say that literal interpretations are bad, but they usually don’t score high on this particular category. So if you want to catch our attention, think of different ways you can interpret our theme and bring your authenticity to light! Another way to be original is through the structure of your piece. In “Aflame” by Caroline Chou (issue iii: kindle the flame), the author depicted the poem as a hand holding a flame. This was not only original but also eye-catching! It’s all about thinking outside of the box and exploring the limits of what you can do with your imagination and technology :) Writing/Art: This rubric basically covers our opinions of your skill. For art, we look at how detailed the art is and how you’ve utilized the art medium. For writing, we look for an engaging and persuasive writing style. Good vocabulary is appreciated but I personally believe that good writing doesn’t equate to fancy verbs. We also prefer good grammar and no typos (one or two is fine but if there’s more then it shows a lack of interest to proofread your work) and a lack of these tend to score lower on this category. We also look for how hooked we are in the piece, i.e. whether the author is able to keep the readers engaged throughout. Some pieces tend to be bogged down by flowery language and unrelated ideas which can detract from the focus of the story. Storytelling: This category explores how the author or artist has chosen to tell their story. For art pieces, we look at the theme of their piece, the message they’re trying to convey, and how they do so through the piece itself and the artist statement. ‘Underwater City’ by Joy Qu published in issue v: jabberwocky, for example, addressed the theme of rising seawater levels. Although it isn’t immediately evident from the art alone, the combination of the artist statement and the details of the piece bring out the idea extremely well. The process is more or less the same for written pieces. We look at the theme of the piece and whether it shines out through the writing. We highly encourage submitters to utilize the “tell us more about this piece” optional question, because it adds context and background to the piece. If the theme isn’t clear to us from a couple of reads, the responses to this question are used to clarify the theme. So if you leave that question blank, it just leaves us wondering what you were attempting to do with the piece. Adherence to Theme: This category is pretty self-explanatory. All of our issues and features and special submission periods are themed. When we declare a theme, we want pieces that revolve around that theme. How you interpret the theme is up to you, and as mentioned before, we love unique interpretations! We do not, however, want pieces that aren’t connected to the theme in any way at all. Pieces that score less than 3 on this category usually aren’t accepted, despite their scores on other categories. We’ve often rejected excellent pieces simply because they didn’t fit with our magazine and our issue. If you’re not sure whether your piece’s connection to the theme will be understood, feel free to elaborate in the “tell us more about this piece” section! It’s there for a reason :) Appeal: This is a final “overall” category. As a reader and writer, we consider whether the piece appealed to us. Can we see it in this particular issue of our magazine? Did we personally relate to it? Maybe the piece isn’t inherently original, but we still enjoyed it tremendously nonetheless. The piece might get an Originality score of 3 but an Appeal score of 5. Appeal is quite subjective and varies from editor to editor, piece to piece. However, the higher the average Appeal score, the more likely the piece will be received well by readers of our issues and thus the more likely the piece is to be accepted. When is a decision on my submission made? I firmly believe in making final decisions on submissions only after we have read through all the submissions. That is why we send out our decision emails all at once a week after the deadline, instead of rolling decisions as and when you submit. Only after seeing everything, we get a feel for what the issue is going to be like, and can thus choose which pieces fit and which don’t. Immediately after we read the piece, however, we each make individual decisions. “A” for accept, “M” for maybe, “R” for reject. At the end when deciding which pieces to accept, I look at the individual decisions. Three “A”’s will most likely be accepted, while three “R”’s will result in a rejection. With everything in the middle, it gets a little more complicated. Now is when we order the pieces in descending order of their total score, and give decisions accordingly. Rather than blindly choosing the top 20 submissions, however, we also consider the final decisions. Since art is so subjective, we prefer not to choose simply based on an arbitrary number alone. A piece with two “A”’s and one “R” and a low total score is more likely to be accepted than a piece with three “M”’s and a higher total score. As mentioned earlier, we make decisions on all submissions at once. I, the editor-in-chief, first assign final decisions based on individual decisions. I then consult with Bri and Ava about their thoughts of the chosen submissions. After all of us have reviewed the sheet and have accepted the chosen submissions, we finalize them. Could I change my piece slightly to increase chances of acceptance? As writers ourselves, we can see potential in a piece and can tell whether a few tweaks would make it a good fit. If we feel like an edited version of your piece would fit in our magazine, we will specifically email to let you know and ask whether you would be open to editing. So you don’t need to worry about whether minute changes in your piece would’ve guaranteed acceptance! Does my piece go through multiple rounds of reading? Some big publications tend to have multiple rounds of reading, i.e. an initial round where submission readers select pieces followed by the editor-in-chief reading through the selected pieces and finalizing pieces from those. As a small volunteer-run publication, however, we neither have enough people to make that happen nor the time. There is a single round of reading and that round is the one elaborated above. This is why first impressions matter so much, because they are also your last impressions! Sometimes for pieces marked “maybe”, we may read through them again and change our decisions — but these are rare cases and most of the time we trust our gut instincts. Are there different kinds or versions of rejection and acceptance letters based on my piece’s score? For the most part, our decision letters tend to be standard. Sometimes however, the letter may be altered. This happens when we feel like your piece could fit as a blog post (usually for creative non-fiction pieces), in another issue or feature, or we know another magazine with a theme where that piece would fit. Apart from these cases though, it’s unlikely your rejection letter will be modified. Why was I specifically accepted or rejected? We provide feedback to every single submitter who asks for it! For those who don’t, we specify in the email that it is available on request. With personalized feedback from each of our editors, we ensure that we highlight our favorite aspects of your piece and/or suggestions for improvement or why we chose to decline the piece. If it is unclear from the decision letter, however, feel free to reply to our email asking why we made a particular decision on your piece. We’ll be happy to respond! What happens if I’m accepted? Congratulations! In your decision letter, we will ask whether the piece is still available for publication. If we feel as though edits are required, we will specify it in the email and ask you to reply with an edited version by a deadline. We also ask for confirmation of the bio you submitted in the form to be published alongside your piece. Once our designers have finished designing the issue, we send it out to the contributors to verify there aren’t any typos or issues with displaying their piece. After confirmation, we publish the issue! The issue is typically released during an issue release party. Prior to the party, we inquire with each of our contributors whether they would be interested in reading or displaying their work at the party. Those who want to do so during the party, and others simply come watch! For the issue release party we welcome anyone and everyone, and usually also include literary games and discussions. Post the issue-release, we publish a feature piece on our blog with the stories behind the inspiration of each of the pieces in that issue. Stay tuned for issue v: jabberwocky’s feature ;) Were there other factors at play that contributed to the decision of my piece? As a magazine with a diverse masthead from volunteers of a wide age range and countries around the world, we strive to be as welcoming and accepting as possible. Answers to optional questions like pronouns, country, age, etc are not on the spreadsheet that the editors use while reviewing submissions. We try to read submissions name-blind, which is why we highly request that authors not include their names on the document of the pieces themselves. We hope that until now and henceforth, we have fostered an atmosphere that encourages writers of all backgrounds and identities to submit to our magazine. If you think we can improve our functioning in any way, please let us know! This is an exhaustible list of questions, and we would be happy to answer any other questions that you have! Feel free to reach out to us on any of our social media platforms, submit a message through the contact form on our website, or email us! We may take some time to reply to you , but rest assured we will get back to you as soon as possible! As mentioned earlier, if you have any grievances with our magazine, do not hesitate to reach out to us. While we have published several issues, we are constantly exploring and learning how to be a better literary magazine and would appreciate any insights you have to give us. Our feedback form is permanently linked through our Instagram bio, and you have the option to submit anonymous responses. We look forward to hearing from you, and are grateful for your continual support of our little venture! For more from this author, follow @theunwrittenstories101 on Instagram.

Have you ever wondered how to get readers to be intrigued about your work on page one? Well, you’re not alone. Many writers want to create literary masterpieces with magical stories, wanting to share their fictional world with everyone. But how does one do that, effectively? How to capture the fleeting attention of our reader, and leave them wanting to know more? The best way is to have a paragraph before the first chapter to make readers interested. Let’s take a look at an example from the novel, The Damage Done by Hilary Davidson, a mystery novel written in 2010 - “It was the bright yellow tape that convinced me my sister was dead. When the police had called me, I’d cried for her, but afterward a slender thread of suspicion had snaked into my brain and coiled itself around my thoughts. Claudia was deceitful, like every junkie has to be, but she also had a temper and hated to be ignored. I’d kept my distance from her since September; maybe being the butt of the world’s worst practical joke was the price I would pay for four months of silence.” In the first sentence, it uses the connotation of the bright yellow tape to convey the message that her sister was dead, correlating the bright yellow tape to the police. The second sentence conveys that the story is not one sided and has a deeper story. That is why a slender thread of suspicion is used. It is a metaphor and a symbol; a metaphor because it compares a slender thread to suspicion and a symbol because it represents the main character's slight suspicion about her sister as the thought coiled around her thoughts. The second half of the paragraph explains part of the backstory to the relationship between Claudia and the main character, giving us a context in which to weave the strands of information provided. It’s a wonderfully crafted first paragraph, and sets the story in motion while getting the reader interested about the death and the relationship the main character has with her sister. Let’s take a look at another example. This is a segment from the first chapter of The Lies of Locke Lamora, by Scott Lynch (2006): “Locke Lamora’s rule of thumb was this – a good confidence game took three months to plan, three weeks to rehearse, and three seconds to win or lose the victim’s trust forever. This time around, he planned to spend those three seconds getting strangled.” The paragraph gives a wonderful element of intrigue and interest, for when the speaker states: “he planned to spend those three seconds getting strangled.”, one is automatically invested. It’s quite an interesting paragraph as it makes the reader think: “Hey, why does he want to be strangled?” It also makes the reader wonder: “how did the protagonist come to such conclusions regarding the ‘confidence game’? What even is a confidence game? Making the reader wonder about something which cannot simply be looked up is how to make readers interested in reading your story. The key takeaway here is that in order to get readers intrigued in your work, you must use the writers’ arsenal - tools like imagery, literary devices, and description. Show when needed, and tell when needed - one cannot afford a bored reader plowing through pages of purple prose, or dozing through simple, unimaginative “bullet lines”. You want to be able to create paragraphs that lure your readers into the storyline. Even though getting your readers interested in your writing is a tough task to tackle, through perseverance and effort, anything can be accomplished! To learn more about this writer, follow @writer_jasonwu for more