At the end of every post, I always mention I’m accepting submissions for the 2018 Winter Issue of Come and Go Literary, but I don’t think I’ve given you all an example of what I’m looking to accept.

I’m sure over the years, I’ve written stories and poems with hints of social justice and political activism, but lately, I’ve been doing a lot of little vignettes, flash fiction, and poetry — experimenting with style, themes, and formatting.

My goal isn’t to just show one side, or explain why one side is better than the other. I plan to — and I think I’ve been building up to this for a while now — simply write more specific, meaningful stories and poems. I want you to look at a certain situation and convince you that something has to change.

We’re living in a pretty tense world right now. We’re not sure what direction our country is heading in; we’re losing our relationship with nature; we’re dividing more than uniting; we’re doing nothing instead of something.

Writing should be that something. If there’s a moment where we need writers, that moment is now. Writing is an intensely-personal profession. Reading is an intensely-personal necessity. We grow through both. My goal is to inspire you to do both. That’s it.

Are You Ready, America?

We’re going to have a test today.
You were provided with a study
guide to get you in the right direction,
but keep in mind class is never fluid —

things change, and what we learn
is meant to be built upon.

This test is on what we don’t know,
and using the past to push you forward
so you should be afraid
because fear isn’t paralyzing

unless
you want it to be.

But that’s not what we were taught,
right? We have a guide that’s fluid,
ever-changing, for the unknown,
for this moment; you’re in control.

Act like it.
Embrace it.

Submissions

If you’re interested in submitting your own work to Come and Go Literary, see my submission guidelines for more details. No fees and no deadlines for guest posts.