It’s the time of year for nominations, and we’re delighted to announce Literary Mama’s nominations for the 2027 Best of the Net anthology. Creative Nonfiction NominationsKaitlyn Brown, “A Map of Conditional Love,” Nov/Dec 2025: Jules Foshee, “Spill,” Jan/Feb 2026 Fiction NominationsRachel Geman, “The Evening Trimesters: A Guide to Your Afterbirth,” Jan/Feb 2026 Ani King, “It’s […]
In addition to providing an opportunity for mama writers to publish with us, Literary Mama also periodically contributes nominations for other prizes and publications. The staff is delighted to share our nominations for the 2027 Best Small Fictions anthology through Black Lawrence Press. CirceLaura Leigh MorrisLiterary MamaMay/June 2026 It’s Not Called a Miscarriage If You’re […]
If you love fiction, are interested in fostering other writers through the editing and submission process, and would like a ready-made network of other mama writers to enhance your own creative endeavors, consider applying for the role of Fiction Editor at Literary Mama. You can find more at our Opportunities page.
Yes, the July/August issue of Literary Mama is out, but it is the dog days of summer and I’ve gotten behind for very different reasons than when I run behind during the school year. I wanted to take a moment to highlight a couple pieces from the May/June issue that really spoke to me. One […]
Literary Mama is thrilled to announce its nominations for Best Small Fictions 2026: Tuesday Morning (Ordinary Time) by Polly Farquhar Fighting Wind by Sage Tyrtle Breath by Jessica Claire Haney How to Bake without Eggs by Edith-Nicole Cameron Tomorrow and All the Days After by Veronica Montes We’re so glad to be a small part […]
As we enter the final stretch of our celebratory year at Literary Mama, we begin to think of the fall and its festivities, particularly the spooky ones. Costumes, candy, and chaos are part of the mothering adventure. We’ve selected some Halloween-related content from our archives to celebrate two decades of the fun and fear that […]
At 7:30 on a Monday morning in the high school office, I listen as the principal explains to my ex-husband how he will mentor, not fire, the wrestling-coach-turned-algebra-teacher who called our older daughter a bitch. “Mr. S is young,” Principal W says. “He made a mistake.” I am thinking about how twenty-five years ago, I […]
It’s coming: the cooling morning air of autumn and the turning of leaves. Although fall has become a busy season of events. including football games, hayrides, and pumpkin picking, it is also a time of gradual slowing down, the portal to winter’s quiet stillness. Literary Mama contributors have explored this season over the last 20 […]
Having trouble getting into your writer’s seat this summer? Hopefully you’re off making amazing memories that will inspire future essays and stories, but if you do find yourself at a coffee shop with a couple luxurious free hours, here are a few writing prompts to get your pen moving. 1.CNF/Journal: Write about your favorite 4th […]
It was one of those moments that is hard to describe. An email arrived in my inbox in December 2018 from Felicity Landa and Colleen Kearney Rich, then fiction editors at Literary Mama, about the acceptance of my flash fiction. Oh, the joy! An acceptance does that every time to a writer. What’s more, Literary Mama has been […]
BAT: Are there any flavors to your own feelings about parenting that are particular to being a non-binary parent? MC: It’s something I’m…I don’t know, dealing with in a new way. My gender feels less my own and more about me in relation to others, including a small person I love very much. Now, it’s […]