When I struggle with writing, I say to myself: write from where you are. It’s a reminder to accept where I am in my writing life and let go of frustration over not being somewhere — or someone — else. When you feel the same way, think about where you are and be there. Feeling […]
Welcome back to our monthly social media writing prompt series, #MamaAnd! Whether it’s flash fiction, micro-story, drabble, found or short poetry, or even art, each prompt will be an invitation to share a unique take on the motherhood experience. Literary Mama staff will select favorite contributions to share at the end of each month. Our prompt for […]
TW: suicide/mental health Since 2003, September 10 has been recognized around the world as World Suicide Prevention Day. We mourn with all those who have lost loved ones to suicide and mental health struggles. Over the years, mama writers have been brave in sharing their stories about mental health with Literary Mama readers. We went […]
A friend recently asked me how to make disjointed memories come together when writing about her grandmother, who died when my friend was twenty. “What question are you trying to answer about your grandmother?” I asked. When crafting creative nonfiction, it’s common to begin with vivid glimpses of memory that compel us to the page. […]
Welcome to our Calls for Submissions page. Here, we’ll feature new publication opportunities for all our Mama readers. Look for updated posts every other month. If there is a ❤️ next to a call, that means the magazine or press is specifically looking for mother writers. We ❤️ all our Mamas! Literary Mama is always […]
Welcome to our newest blog series: Where Are They Now? In this series, our editors interview past Literary Mama contributors to see what they’ve accomplished since publishing in LM and talk about their writing journeys. You’d have to be hiding under a rock to be unfamiliar with author and activist Stephanie Land. She’s the bestselling author of […]
Take a digital writing detox every so often. Using pen and paper forces you to slow down, to consider the words you are using. It’s an act of mindfulness in our busy, instant, electronic world—no distracting notifications jump from a page. Pen and paper are markers of time, memory makers and re-connectors. Remember how they […]
Welcome back to our monthly social media writing prompt series, #MamaAnd. We loved reading your contributions to June’s Prompt! Here are a few of our favorites. Staff picks from June’s #MamaAndTeeth Our prompt for July is: Mama And Revolution Whether it’s flash fiction, micro-story, drabble, found or short poetry, or even art, each prompt will […]
Welcome to our newest blog series: Where Are They Now? In this series, our editors interview past Literary Mama contributors to see what they’ve accomplished since publishing in LM and talk about their writing journeys. This week, former editor-in-chief Amanda Jaros chatted via Zoom with writer and editor Windy Lynn Harris, whose fiction was published […]
Words matter. Story matters. Your story matters. Tell yourself this exactly 8,214 times a day. Be willing to write poorly. Expect to write poorly. When you think you have a decent draft, take a break. Then, go back and try to cut the word count by half. Even if you don’t keep the cuts, this […]
Welcome to our Calls for Submissions page. Here, we’ll feature new publication opportunities for all our Mama readers. Look for updated posts every other month. If there is a ❤️ next to a call, that means the magazine or press is specifically looking for mother writers. We ❤️ all our Mamas! Literary Mama is always […]