Writerly Resource of the Week: Write Publish Shine.

I love this podcast because it normalizes how challenging it is to get published in lit journals, but also shows emerging writers that it is possible. Rachel Thompson has a host of tools to help writers get to know the literary journal landscape and create a targeted approach to getting published on her website, classes, and newsletter. I personally enjoy the podcast because I can hear literary journal editors — -from some of the best journals— and get to know who they are, how did the journal evolve, what are they looking for, what are common mistakes they see, etc. Rachel is a professional — her questions are evocative and interesting, she’s always very prepared for each interview, and the conversations are fresh. I confess it gets expensive because by the time I finish a podcast I am usually so excited about the journal I subscribe to it or at least buy an issue. But spending money on journals is part of being a good literary citizen (if you can afford it) and I love to reading new work from all over the world. Most journals comb through hundreds of pieces for every issue, so generally the writing in the established journals is very high quality.

Sometimes Rachel interviews people from her classes instead about their work and how they got a particular piece accepted. It’s really helpful as a writer to hear others’ circuitous path to publication. (My own is like a Tolkienesque journey through various strange worlds. Fortunately I’ve found a few breathtaking vistas and had moments of shattering joy.)

Writers: check out Write Publish Shine or Rachel Thompson’s sites. Both Writers and Readers: consider subscribing to at least one lit journal. If nothing else, it’s so much fun to get something new to read in the mail. A few recommendations of ones I am enjoying: Rattle, Three Penny Review, Free State Review, The Malahat Review, The Adroit Journal. #lit journal #writers #writersresources #podcasts #literary #fictionwriters #poets #poetry #amwriting