From the Editor: March/April 2023
When I started as publisher at Literary Mama in 2019, I was only on board for a bit before my life turned and I had to step away from the work I had wanted to do here. Moving, breathing, making sure my kid was fed and loved and weathering her situation, and keeping my teaching job were my only concerns. Yet I never fully stepped away from Literary Mama. And I know it was because of the support and patience I received from the mamas who volunteer here. This is no surprise: the people who kept me upright, gently asked if I had eaten, and treated me like family even though I had only recently moved to my current neighborhood from another state? All mamas.
Since becoming editor in chief of Literary Mama, I’m learning again about mama power. I’m laughing a lot as I build connections with editors, readers, and writers from many time zones and backgrounds. It’s intense. And it’s amazing to me that all of us are committed to this space. We have a whole team of busy people volunteering their energy and time to these beautiful issues. Our department editors read and respond to submissions, develop relationships with writers as they navigate our publishing process, and work with our editorial assistants, who make sure writing is ready for publication on our site. Our senior editor team meets regularly to discuss the LM community and each issue, and senior editors are instrumental in offering feedback for every piece of writing we publish. Our managing editor schedules and compiles each digital issue and constantly works to streamline our communication and publication processes. Our publisher helps us run with our ever-evolving vision, seeks out opportunities for grants, nominates writers for awards, and drives fundraising goals. Our blog and marketing folks develop regular, supportive content for mama writers, keep our readers posted on the Literary Mama community, and, this year, help us shout: WE ARE HERE, AND WE ARE 20! Finally, our nonprofit board serves to develop and help make real our long-term goals. We’re all here because of the mamas who originally got the gumption to create Literary Mama and those who have kept it moving—online, free, and still powered by multifaceted mamas and mama supporters.
I hope you enjoy our latest issue of Literary Mama. If you’ve ever wondered if you should submit your writing to us, please do. If you’ve ever considered how you can support us beyond readership, please consider donating here or passing along opportunities to join our team. And if you’ve ever wanted to know more about the robust history of this mama-powered journal, check out the incredible timeline that newsletter editor and digital analyst Rhonda Havig put together to celebrate our 20 years. Thank you for being here and for supporting our work!
Amanda Fields
Editor in Chief