The Time We Launched A Lit Mag (IN A FLASH Is Here!)
Leveling Up
Many times in my life, I’ve considered leveling up. I thought about going from teacher to administrator (no). I considered going from mothering one child to two (yes). I wondered whether I could write a novel instead of a short story (yes).
Sometimes the next level was an easy reach, such as adding more weight to a strength-training machine, or choosing to play a slightly harder flute solo. Often the next level was the obvious step. This week, though, I’m tackling a challenge I never imagined for myself, something that only happened to me because I wrote a Facebook post in a writer’s group two years ago seeking members for a writing group with a unique focus.
I’ve been a writer for a long time, but I never thought I’d become what I am today: the editor of a literary magazine.
This week, my writing group and I are launching IN A FLASH, a Substack publication that will spotlight Flash Creative Nonfiction under 500 words. We’ve been meeting monthly for two years to peer-review our own work in this genre, and we’ve formed a close bond and strong editorial eye. Last winter, one of our own suggested that we take the next step— level up, if you will— and co-edit our own literary magazine. We’ve spent the last several months planning, and it’s finally here!
If you’re a writer, or have a writer in your life, please share and subscribe to IN A FLASH. The introductory post went live yesterday, and we have several more posts planned in the coming weeks to introduce our editors. We’ll be accepting submissions on a monthly basis, a different theme for each month (themes will be posted several months in advance, so you’ll have time to prepare).
We’re not a big lit mag with a fancy website and a huge built-in audience; we’ll be doing this from the ground up, so we appreciate all of your help in getting the word out.
Whether or not you’re a writer, please pop over to the new publication and subscribe.
How have you “leveled up” in the past?
Here’s to us, in all of our imperfect, striving goodness.
Keep hoping. Keep caring. Keep trying.
So excited to walk beside you in this venture, Leanne. I feel as if leveling up has taken on a life of its own for me, and I find myself juggling multiple balls, each with "step into your fear" written all over it. Writing this, I'm pretty sure this is true for so many of us. Take on a new role. Try something you've never done. Afraid (not about In a Flash but absolutely in some of the other areas): Do it anyway! Thanks for helping us all to think about our lives in this way. And onward, Flashies!
This is such a great post, Leanne! So, as to your question, I try to level up every day, or at least I'm aware of my desire to do so....not always successfully, but the goal is there. Some days though, it just feels good to "level down" if that's a thing. That is probably why it feels so good to have Shabbat, becasue I really just "platz" from all the leveling up from the week LOL