If you’re a writer, rejection is not an if. It’s a when — and then another when after that. I don’t think anyone ever truly gets used to it in the sense of liking it. I certainly haven’t. When a rejection email lands in my inbox, it’s usually a form letter. I read it, mumble a few choice words under my breath, send the email to the trash, laugh, and move on to the next project. That may not sound especially graceful, but honestly, it works. Over time, I’ve learned that one of

by Laura DeHart Young I’m a queer author and poet. I’m a woman. I’ve been through a few things. I’ve raised my hand, submitted my work, followed the guidelines, and read the “we champion underrepresented voices” mission statements on hundreds of lit mag websites. And more and more lately, I’ve been wondering: Underrepresented by whose definition? Because it sure doesn’t feel like they mean me. The Illusion of the Open Door A lot of literary journals say they’re looking for “d

It started with one poem — and then another — and then a theme I couldn’t ignore. “Burnt Toast and Benedictions” wasn’t built overnight. It came together over months of writing, revising, and rearranging until it began to hold its own emotional shape. Ten poems, each domestic, quiet, queer, and a little wry. The kind of collection that whispers more than it shouts — and still says something worth hearing. I chose to publish through Bottlecap Press, a micropress known for its

By Laura DeHart YoungPosted: August 23, 2025 If you’re a writer submitting to literary magazines or small presses, you already know the...

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