Changes. – Kelly Fitzharris, Editor-in-Chief, Founder (the creator of this monster ;) )

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Readers, contributors, fans, friends, and longtime SLM enthusiasts, this is to all of you: I apologize for my lack of involvement and communication in the magazine as of late. I will explain. 

I know there has been more than a lot of confusion surrounding the magazine’s future and about the fact that we’ve posted a “closed to submissions” notice on the site.

The truth is that I had always told myself that when I no longer enjoyed the work I did here, that I would either walk away or find a way to enjoy it again.

After going through the demise of my 12 year relationship (10 year marriage) where there are two malleable children involved, I’ve found myself broken, shattered, hurt, angry, confused, and on the brink of near insanity at times. Nicole has been on the receiving end of more than her fair share of text messages and phone calls where I broke down. I cried. I told her that I was, in fact, buckling under all the pressure. I couldn’t do it all. I’d failed, in short.

At the moment, I’m feeling rather placid. I want to be hopeful for the future; I want to heal. I want to live my life and be who God meant for me to be. I don’t want to live my life feeling as though I’m letting everyone down anymore (whether it’s in my personal life or in my work life).

SLM (Sick Lit Magazine) will be undergoing a bit of a change over this summer; there will be an overhaul and I will take a few of you with me and Nicole (if you want to come, that is.) We set out to work for ourselves and we intend to do just that. We intend to take the reigns back. Things have gotten a bit out of control in terms of the workload and lack of income.

As I saw my divorce on paper, filed, documented, and subsequently took on the responsibilities of a single mother to two children after my ex moved out, I realized that I could no longer run the magazine as it was going. I realized (with Nicole’s help) that instead of becoming the literary revolution I’d so badly wanted to become, a publication where writers were honored by an acceptance, I was, instead, pandering to everyone else’s whims and wishes. I’ve been the veritable doormat that I swore I’d never become.

As May of 2017 winds down, so will Sick Lit Magazine as all of you know it now. 

Everyone we’ve published will still be on the site, in an archived section. I don’t plan on deleting anything as of yet.

I owe it to myself to find my way back to who the hell I am; I owe it to all of you as well.

Stay tuned to see what Nicole and I are up to on here.

Cheers, 

zzzyy

Kelly Fitzharris

Published by sicklitmag

Perpetually quirky, gregarious and hopelessly ourselves, at all times.

10 Replies to “Changes. – Kelly Fitzharris, Editor-in-Chief, Founder (the creator of this monster ;) )”

  1. Hi there,

    I had a piece of fiction accepted by Sick Lit that was slated to come out in early June. Nicole had mentioned that Kelly would be reaching out with the specific date later in May. With the changes coming to Sick Lit, will my piece not be published as planned? I was planning on submitting it elsewhere if so.

    Thanks!

    Shannon

    On Tue, May 23, 2017 at 5:40 PM, SICK LIT MAGAZINE wrote:

    > sicklitmag posted: “Readers, contributors, fans, friends, and longtime SLM > enthusiasts, this is to all of you: I apologize for my lack of involvement > and communication in the magazine as of late. I know there has been more > than a lot of confusion surrounding the magazine’s ” >

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  2. Keep up the great work. The literary world needs a magazine that is willing to look outside the box and find truly edgy and alt works where other are simply too afraid. I believe SLM can do this and I hope you keep that mission in mind with the changes to come. Thank you for everything you’ve done so far and will do.

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  6. So sorry to hear that, Kelly. I do hope you’ll sort everything in your life and come back stronger than before and healed. Many thanks for this wonderful magazine and your encouragement for writers. Also, thanks to Nicole for holding the fort in the most graceful way during your absence. I’m looking forward to hearing from both of you again in the nearest future.Fondest wishes, 🙂

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  7. Kelly, you’ve been an amazing support for writers. Take care of yourself and creativity will come bubbling up again when you are ready for it. All the best to you for your healing journey.

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  8. Never give up on your dream! Remember that there is a community of artists with you, that every challenge is an opportunity, and in each beginning dwells a magic force.

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  9. Hey Kelly & Nicole,

    You two have been kind to me. I am a small cog, and quite new to the SickLit world but if I can help in some way — I’m up for that. I am a SickLit fan. Maybe I should send some Mennonite comfort food?

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