I know, I know, and I know. I have gone back and forth. I will implore you to look to my posts about my health. I am battling something invisible as a woman in the US. My odds are slim to none. However, this is our summer to make some real art.
I say: let’s open this bitch back up for submissions!
Q. Well, Kelly, what submissions?
A. Great question. Let me answer: I am open to any and all submissions right now, except a book-length manuscript, as this is obviously not a platform for a book. However, keep in mind, I am VERY OPEN to what you create. I do not have margin requirements. I do not have a word count length. Now, if it’s more than 40 pages; we *may* have an issue.
SLM does not fit into a standardized box, nor have we ever.
I want to see your bleeding heart on the page. Give me the most gut-wrenching writing and art you have ever produced. Let’s OPEN THE FLOODGATES! Give me sorrow, pain, joy, raw, brutal love and hate, but make ME FEEL SOMETHING.
- Do I nominate for the Pushcart Prize? You are damn right I do.
- EVERY VOICE MATTERS. ALL OF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY.
I have been through my own unimaginable terror since 2024 with my heart. I refuse to have to argue with another physician about my existence. Let’s create something instead. Hell, I will, too. I will lean on you, my writers and readers: what would you like to see from your unfiltered, fearless Editor-in-Chief?
Submit DIRECTLY TO ME AT MY PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS: kelly.fitzharris@gmail.com
Simply put SUBMISSIONS in your subject and I’ve got you. DO NOT try and pitch to me – be real, be raw, and tell me why you chose SLM for your work. I DO NOT ACCEPT SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS. The last few times I tried to “restart,” if you will, I was so destroyed by a simultaneous submission that I stopped. Do not do that to me. I run this magazine by myself and the strength it takes me, in heart failure, to value you and your work, is no joke.
I run this platform on the basis of THE TRUTH. The unvarnished, ugly, beautiful, messy truth of life, loss, being stuck, routines…. all of it.
Q. Kelly, are there any themes?
A. Thank you for asking. You may ABSOLUTELY submit and write to a theme. I would like to focus on themes of abstraction, as the world has changed so drastically that I believe abstraction is the only way to go from here. Abstraction can mean almost anything in art or literature. What are abstract concepts? THE INTANGIBLES. Right? Time, love, joy, sadness, fatigue…. transitions, life stages…. THINK OUTSIDE OF ALL OF THE BOXES. THIS SUMMER IS YOUR TIME TO SHINE. SLM WILL BE PROUD TO HOLD YOUR WORK. My Pushcart Prize nominees have the window to be submitted between October 1st and December 1st through snail mail only and I will be nominating SIX OUTSTANDING PIECES.
Since I am suffering from a critical illness, I have had to reformat my page once again. This means I lost most of the widgets I had had at the bottom….ugh. Whatever. I will still make your work absolutely shine.
I can tell you one thing: Almost every writer I have published has gone on to do AMAZING THINGS. Prerna Bakshi (shout-out — whoop whoop!!) was published in India’s Harper’s Bazaar – her poetry held an entire page and I am endlessly proud. Don Tassone! Don has gone on to continue to write and send me multiple books, for which I am always grateful. Don, Prerna, you are both amazing!!!!
It is ALWAYS my honor to read your writing.
Remember: IT IS NOT WRITER’S BLOCK. IT IS SELF-CENSORSHIP. DO NOT CENSOR. ART DOES NOT CENSOR.
WHAT DO YOU SAY, SLM AUDIENCE? ARE YOU IN??!!
I AM. LET’S MAKE SOME FUCKING WAVES.
Peace and Love to All of You
Sincerely, Your Editor-in-Chief, partner in crime, and fiercest advocate. Let’s do this!
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