JUNE 28th—Prose Editor J. L. Kies reflects on reading and editing over one-hundred submissions for Verdant since joining the team in August 2023. To learn more about Kies' submission preferences, latest endeavours, and journey as a writer and editor, read on.
V : Congratulations on reading over one-hundred prose submissions and editing a dozen prose submissions for Verdant. How do you feel?
J. L. K. : I feel great! It’s crazy that I’ve accumulated this many already; it hasn’t even been a year working with Verdant. It feels wonderful to be a part of the literary community in such an intimate, direct way, and I’m honoured to witness writers’ vulnerability.
V : Could you share a little bit about your journey as a writer and editor?
J. L. K. : My writing journey budded as a preteen. I used to draw a lot with my friends, creating character designs, and those characters needed background stories. So I’d write them in a cheap felt notebook from the dollar store. I started writing (but not finishing) novels in the seventh grade, and plenty of short stories. I practiced in high school with NaNoWriMo, and I’ve learned even more in my English/creative writing degree workshops. Now I have a handful of small publications (fiction, non-fiction, and even a micro poem) and larger projects in the works.
As for editing, I’ve been a grammar enthusiast for almost fifteen years. I used to edit assignments for friends in high school, and now that I’m in university, I have classmates requesting I look over their work and give feedback. I worked as the editorial assistant for my university’s literary journal, juice––later moving up to assistant editor when our team’s dynamic changed. I aspire to freelance all levels of edits; editing is something I enjoy deeply, even when it comes to revising my own writing––I’m lucky that way, as so many writers despise it!
V : What literary or creative endeavours have you been pursuing recently?
J. L. K. : Most recently, I’ve been submitting some short pieces for potential publication, mentally planning a post-apocalyptic YA novel, and writing some urban fantasy/paranormal romances with a long-time friend. It’s been a lot of fun, and having multiple projects in different stages is really refreshing. I always have something to work on. My most recent publication is a flash horror piece with Litmora, featured in Tabi’s Flash Tuesdays.
V : Looking back, how has your role evolved since you first started working with Verdant?
J. L. K. : With each reading of a submission, I write approximately 300 words of feedback for the Editors in Chief to consider alongside my publication decision. I have a lot of experience with editorial letters, so my feedback proved thorough enough over the months that my decision process was promoted and I’m no longer required to write rationales. I’m very proud of this, of being able to prove my literary analysis skills. Want to know what’s kind of amazing? I’ve written 30k words of feedback getting to this point!
V : What do you think are the most important contributions literary magazines like Verdant make to the literary world?
J. L. K. : Accessibility. Motivation. Encouragement. Smaller magazines are an imperative part of the literary community. The publishing industry is cutthroat and can be very daunting and overwhelming. Attaching a piece to one’s name is a big feat, and these smaller journals are much more accessible for writers to attain that. Feeling recognized goes a long way in confidence and persistence, which are necessary traits to pursue this industry. I am forever grateful for the smaller mags that adored my work and gave my pieces a home––those publications are on my resume forever, and I can use them in the future to help prove my literary value. It shouldn’t have to be this way, but it mostly always has been, so that accessibility is a must. We want people to write! And we want writers to succeed!
V : Among the many submissions you’ve read, do you have any personal favourite styles?
J. L. K. : Yes! I love stories that surprise me. That make me go “wow, that’s weird… and I’m here for it.” I love absurdity and dark themes and complexity, so when I come across submissions that break genre or experiment with the structure of storytelling, it makes an impact. I don’t even have to fully understand what the author is aiming for! If I can draw my own conclusions, and it still feels organic to do so, I gain such an appreciation for the work.
V : What tips or advice would you give to prose writers submitting to Verdant or to other magazines?
J. L. K. : Add trigger warnings. I promise they don’t “spoil” the story. Don’t be afraid to submit. Don’t self-reject your work from a venue because of XYZ. As a reader, I accept pieces based on so much more than just “writing quality.” Make the piece the best it can be, proofread it, and then send it out.
V : Finally, what would you like to see in future prose submissions to Verdant?
J. L. K. : I’d love to see more genre work. Literary fiction and non-fiction are wonderful, but send us some sci-fi. A horror story. I’ll read your super niche romance. That’s the beauty of journals like Verdant: we want to see your work, whatever that means to you.
Comentários