Yellow Arrow Publishing Blog

Kapua Iao 11/7/24 Kapua Iao 11/7/24

Gratitude is a Divine Emotion: Yellow Arrow Interns

“Gratitude is a divine emotion: it fills the heart, but not to bursting; it warms it, but not to fever.”

from Shirley by Charlotte Brontë

One of the many ways Yellow Arrow Publishing encourages women writers and women in publishing is through inclusion within the organization itself. We welcome (and thrive with) our volunteers and interns, not only for our own benefit but to also (hopefully) provide a prospective future publisher with some necessary tools and knowledge about the publishing world. And even if a volunteer/intern does not plan to continue within the publishing world, the tools and knowledge of working in a women-led, collaborative organization. One that champions the different and the unique. One that looks for partners and allies rather than simple connections (see our growing list of partners here).

We try to find each volunteer, each intern, space in our organization to grow and flourish in the area they are most interested in (and of course where we need the most help!). Past staff members have worked at our live events and at Yellow Arrow House. They hand bound our publications and put as much love and tenderness into each copy as we could hope. Today they focus on the ins and outs of releasing a publication, running a publishing company, and our community-driven projects. Tasks can range from editing to formatting, marketing, and putting together events and workshops. Above all else, our interns support and champion staff/board, authors, workshop attendees, and themselves. We are so thankful to have had them with us on this journey.

So let’s introduce the fall 2024 interns. Each has our appreciation.

Alexa Lesniak

Program Management Intern

From Media, Pennsylvania but currently living in College Park, Maryland
*What do you do*? My main role at Yellow Arrow is to help support workshops and events through social media posts by creating graphics in Canva to promote different activities. I also write the monthly newsletter and will get to write two blog posts.
*Where do you go to school*? I am currently an English major at the University of Maryland, College Park, and I will graduate this upcoming May!
*What are you currently working on*? Currently, I have been focused on learning how to cook. While many stores have gluten-free frozen options, I have been trying to create my own with whole foods. So far this journey has been very frustrating but very rewarding.

Alexa Lesniak (she/her) is a current senior at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is an English major with a concentration in media studies and minors in creative writing and professional writing. Alexa is very passionate about the craft of poetry and how it can portray nature. She recently has discovered a love of journaling and scrapbooking. After she graduates, Alexa hopes to pursue a career in publishing. She can be found on Instagram @alexalesniak.

Once she graduates, she plans on pursuing a career in publishing. She would love to help craft the next generation of great literature. Before that though, she plans to travel the U.S. and visit all of the national parks.

Why did you choose an internship with Yellow Arrow?

I chose an internship with Yellow Arrow because of the organization’s mission and workplace culture. It has been amazing to help highlight women writers and learn more about events being held locally in Baltimore. I have already met so many amazing people and have been introduced to such wonderful written work.

How are things going so far?

So far, things have been going well. I have learned so much about how Yellow Arrow functions and just how many people play a role in the organization’s success. I also have gained many design and writing skills through my weekly tasks.

Elizabeth Ottenritter

Publications Intern

Lives in Baltimore, Maryland
*What do you do*? Assist with Yellow Arrow’s publications program on a variety of projects, and act as an editorial associate as needed, working directly with the Editor-in-Chief.
*Where do you go to school*? Loyola University Maryland. I am a senior and will graduate in May of 2025.
*What are you currently working on*? As of right now, I am working on applying to graduate programs. I am writing a lot of poetry and prose for my courses as well. I am also a DJ at my university’s radio station, WLOY, so I go live and play music once a week.

Elizabeth Ottenritter (she/her) is a senior at Loyola University Maryland, where she studies writing. She is passionate about reading, crafting poetry, contributing to Loyola’s literary art magazine, Corridors, and traveling worldwide. Upon graduation, Elizabeth hopes to continue her love of learning and language in a graduate program.

She hopes to be accepted into a graduate program for an MFA in either creative writing or poetry. After school, she would like to begin a career in editing or publications, alongside publishing her own writing one day.

Why did you choose to do an internship with Yellow Arrow?

Yellow Arrow has an incredible reputation of publishing and encouraging women-identifying voices, with their numerous chapbook publications, workshops, and journal issues. I truly resonated with allowing writers to be heard exactly as they are, focusing on the heart of the work above anything else. I was also moved by the upcoming (at the time) Yellow Arrow Journal issue kitalo. I felt a strong connection to the premise of grief and gratitude coming together to create something beautiful.

How are things going so far?

Great! I get to do what I love, surrounded by talented and passionate professionals. I get to read the work of others, copyedit publications, and write to amplify Yellow Arrow on social media. I’m learning a lot in such a short period of time, and I know this experience will stay with me.

*****

Thank you to everyone who supports these women and all writers who toil away day after day. Please show them some love in the comments below or on Yellow Arrow’s Facebook or Instagram. If interested in joining us as an editorial associate or intern, fill out an application at yellowarrowpublishing.com/internships.

Yellow Arrow Publishing is a nonprofit supporting women-identifying writers through publication and access to the literary arts. You can support us as we AMPLIFY women-identifying creatives this year by purchasing one of our publications or a workshop from the Yellow Arrow bookstore, for yourself or as a gift, joining our newsletter, following us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, or subscribing to our YouTube channel. Donations are appreciated via PayPal (staff@yellowarrowpublishing.com), Venmo (@yellowarrowpublishing), or US mail (PO Box 65185, Baltimore, Maryland 21209). More than anything, messages of support through any one of our channels are greatly appreciated.

Kapua Iao 10/1/24 Kapua Iao 10/1/24

Meet a Staff Member: Amelia (Mel) Silberger

Yellow Arrow Publishing would like to (re)introduce Amelia (Mel) Silberger, our spring 2024 publications intern turned reader. Mel is a recent graduate of Loyola University Maryland who received her degree in psychology and writing with a minor in political science. She is an aspiring creative nonfiction writer and editor who is originally from Long Island, New York. Mel has spent the past two summers living in Orlando, Florida, while participating in the Disney College Program. She has loved creating stories since she was six years old and hopes to continue to grow and build with other writers in the future.

Mel says, “I’m looking forward to reading more of the amazing poems and creative nonfiction pieces submitted by talented writers throughout the world, and amplifying their voices through our chapbooks, journals, and vignettes. I am also eager to continue working alongside a brilliant group of women-identifying creatives whose passion for building each other up is unlike any other.”

Tell us a little something about yourself.

I was raised on Long Island, New York, but spent the past four years living in Baltimore, Maryland, while studying at Loyola University Maryland. While at Loyola, I served as the marketing intern for the Kennedy Krieger Institute before joining Yellow Arrow as a publications intern. I recently graduated with a degree in psychology and writing and am planning to work for the next year before applying to graduate schools. I love rock climbing, watching hockey, squishmallows, and all things Disney.

What do you love most about Long Island?

My favorite part about Long Island has to either be the food (who doesn’t love New York pizza and bagels!?) or the proximity to so many destinations. I love that I can take a short ride to the beach or a train into New York City and find so much to do in between. Most importantly, most of my extended family lives on Long Island and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities to see them after four years of being away.

How did you get involved with Yellow Arrow?

I got involved with Yellow Arrow during my senior year of college after meeting with my writing professor about potential internship placements that aligned with my goals. She immediately suggested applying to the Yellow Arrow team and after reading the Yellow Arrow mission, I knew this was something I wanted to be a part of. I was the publications intern for spring 2024 and now I am a reader for the selection process of our chapbooks and journals. I originally wanted to join Yellow Arrow because I loved the idea of being able to empower and elevate the voices of other women-identifying creatives, and it has been amazing to do that and more!

What are you working on currently?

Since graduation, most of my time has been spent visiting family and traveling. I have been building my writing portfolio along with my website (to be published soon!) and looking into graduate school programs for next year.

What genre do you write or read the most?

Creative nonfiction! I love highlighting what may seem like simple moments by telling them in a creative way. I also appreciate the opportunity to share my lived experiences with others so we can elevate and advocate for each other.

What book is on the top of your to-be-read pile?

On Beauty by Zadie Smith was recently recommended to me, and I’m eager to give it a try! I am also looking forward to reading Tramaine Suubi’s Phases, which will be published in January 2025.

Who is your favorite writer and why?

I don’t have a favorite writer—it’s constantly changing! No stories have ever sat with me as heavy as those of Ken Liu though, and I highly recommend reading his short story collection titled The Paper Menagerie.

Who has inspired and/or supported you most in your writing journey?

My writing professors at Loyola have inspired me most throughout my writing journey, and I am confident I would not be the person nor writer I am today without their feedback and encouragement. I am also forever inspired by my three younger siblings and the people they have grown to be, as many of my pieces center around our relationship and shared childhood.

My biggest supporters are my partner, Logan, and friend, Sophia. From bouncing story ideas off one another to editing every piece of punctuation, they are unwaveringly present in helping my writing journey in any way that I need.

What do you love most about writing?

My favorite part about writing is the connection it builds with those around me, especially those who I might not know otherwise. Whether it be relating to similar experiences or learning something new, I appreciate the opportunity to share pieces of myself and my story with others and hearing theirs in return. It’s a truly special way to connect.

What advice do you have for new writers?

Don’t stare at the page and wait for the “perfect” poem or story—if you do that, the idea will likely never come. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is write all your thoughts down on a page, no matter how long it may be, and come back later to edit them to fit the story you want to tell. Don’t worry about getting it right on the first try—you’re not supposed to.

What’s the most important thing you always keep near where you work?

My Rubik’s cube! It is a great fidget for when I’m feeling restless and allows me to take quick mental breaks if I need to. Aside from that, I always bring a journal or notebook to write down any general thoughts that may distract me from my task at hand.

What’s your vision for Yellow Arrow in 2024?

I envision Yellow Arrow continuing to amplify the diverse voices of women-identifying creatives all over the world. I’d also love to gain more awareness about our team and what we do and reach more writers throughout each submission period. I can’t wait to see how Yellow Arrow grows this year and beyond, and I am so grateful to be a part of it!

*****

Kapua Iao 9/3/24 Kapua Iao 9/3/24

Meet a Board Member: Barbara Frey

Yellow Arrow Publishing would like to introduce Barbara Frey, new director of fundraising (co-chair with Nikita Rimal Sharma). Barbara wears two hats. She is an event design specialist, most recently providing decorations for the June 20, 2024, Friends of Yellow Arrow gathering, and she is an online learning consultant, drawing on more than two decades of experience with Connections Academy, Baltimore City Schools, and beyond. Her articles have been published in educational journals and magazines.

Tell us a little something about yourself:

I live in the Roland Park neighborhood of Baltimore city with my husband and miniature poodle, Lillet. I love spending time with my seven grandchildren. I belong to two book clubs and an art seminar group. My husband and I love to travel and learn the culture, art, and history of the countries we visit.

What do you love most about Baltimore?

Growing up in New York, it did take me a few years to appreciate the charm of Baltimore. I grew to love the quirky neighborhoods and the diversity of Baltimore. Although a small city, Baltimore has a lot to offer. As an art and music lover I appreciate the many museums, galleries, local theatres, and music venues especially the Baltimore Symphony.

How did you get involved with Yellow Arrow?

I got involved with Yellow Arrow when I was asked by [board president] Mickey Revenaugh, who I worked closely with for many years at Connections Academy, to join the board.

What are you working on currently?

Currently I am working on two projects that reflect my dual interests. I am spearheading a redesign of the public areas of the condominium building where I live that was designed by Frank Gehry in 1975. My other project is researching and collecting photos and stories of my family’s heritage.

What genre do you write or read the most?

I enjoy reading historical fiction and short stories. I am always interested in all the research that goes into writing historical fiction that makes real places culturally recognizable. Short stories have always fascinated me as they have a short time to tell their story. Short stories have to be discreet and deliberate, often bridging a partnership between the reader and the writer.

What book is on the top of your to-be-read pile?

Table for Two: Fictions by Amor Towles.

Who is your favorite writer and why?

My contemporary author favorite is Zaide Smith. She has written novels, short stories, essays, and plays. She combines wit, reflection, and social issues.

Who has inspired and/or supported you most in your writing journey?

I have only done technical and grant writing; the person who most inspired and supported me in these pursuits has been Mickey Revenaugh.

What do you love most about writing?

When I hit send!!

What advice do you have for new writers?

Believe in yourself. Find your voice.

What’s the most important thing you always keep near your computer?

Coffee.

What’s your vision for Yellow Arrow in 2024?

To provide more opportunities for culturally diverse woman writers and to raise awareness about us!!

*****

Kapua Iao 8/13/24 Kapua Iao 8/13/24

Meet a Board Member: Emily Ross

Yellow Arrow Publishing would like to introduce Emily Ross, our Director of Grants. Emily is an arts and humanities professional with expertise in museum education, social work, and grantmaking. Working at the intersection of culture and human services she champions collaboration and community voices in her career. She holds a BA in art history from the University of Virginia and an MSW from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She currently works as the Program Officer for Grants at Maryland Humanities. Based in Baltimore, she enjoys trips to the Renaissance Fair, New England beaches, and art museums.

Emily says, “I look forward to being a part of this incredible group of women bringing attention to women’s stories. I also look forward to being a part of Yellow Arrow’s continued fiscal vitality and connecting us to great resources.”

Tell us a little something about yourself:

I lived in Canada for six years as a child. Unfortunately, I don’t have dual citizenship, but I can brag that I’m one degree closer to Margaret Atwood than the average American!

What do you love most about Baltimore?

It’s the most affordable major East Coast city. I also love the character, charm, and local traditions.

How did you get involved with Yellow Arrow and what do you do for us? Why did you want to join the Yellow Arrow team?

I first learned about Yellow Arrow through my work at Maryland Humanities. Yellow Arrow received a grant from us, and I read the application and became interested in the organization. When I heard Yellow Arrow writers read their published work at a Yellow Arrow gathering, it sealed the deal for me to become involved in any way. I was really moved listening to them! I’m excited to bring my skills in grants to Yellow Arrow and to help secure funding for programs.

What are you working on currently?

I’m currently furnishing and designing a new apartment. I just signed a two-year lease which gives me more creative license in my living space. I enjoy interior design, collecting cool art, and making my home a reflection of myself.

What genre do you write or read?

I’m not a creative writer but I love to read. I love reading the romance genre the most because it’s one of the only popular fiction genres where female identifying characters are consistently treated like whole, complex human beings. I also just love love. A reliable happy ending and an escape from reality? Sign me up.

What book is on the top of your to-be-read pile?

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman.

Who is your favorite writer and why?

I don’t think I necessarily have a favorite, but I like to provide recommendations. A series that has stuck with me the last few years is The Women of Troy by Pat Barker.

Who has inspired and/or supported you most in your writing journey?

I’m more a technical and academic writer having never dabbled in my own creative writing practice. It’s difficult to gauge where you stand among your peers when you’re writing for school or work so my professors supported me the most with their feedback and encouragement.

What do you love most about writing?

When I find the best word to use during one of my numerous thesaurus searches.

What advice do you have for new writers?

The same I recommend to new artists—before you can break the rules you must first understand them. However, I think it’s better said the rules get broken in the best way when you have a deep understanding of why you want to break them.

What’s the most important thing you always keep near wherever you work)?

My phone to take TikTok breaks.

What’s your vision for Yellow Arrow in 2024?

More writers, more events, more awareness, more $$$!

*****

Kapua Iao 7/23/24 Kapua Iao 7/23/24

Gratitude is a Divine Emotion: Yellow Arrow Interns

“Gratitude is a divine emotion: it fills the heart, but not to bursting; it warms it, but not to fever.”

from Shirley by Charlotte Brontë

It would be impossible to organize, create, and publish without the incredible help of our volunteer staff and interns. They provide the thought process behind each journal by picking each issue’s theme and reading/voting on each submitted piece. They then read through the chosen submissions and edit them carefully and thoughtfully, not to change the voice of the author but to ensure that the voice flourishes. They provide continuous feedback and proofread the final product before release. And the same goes for our published chapbooks; the process of forming something for publication is thoughtfully long but fulfilling, nonetheless.

We try to find each volunteer, each intern, space in our organization to grow and flourish in the area they are most interested in (and of course where we need the most help!). Past staff members have worked at our live events and at Yellow Arrow House. They hand bound our publications and put as much love and tenderness into each copy as we could hope. Now that we are a mostly virtual publishing company, they focus on copyediting and proofreading as well as writing blogs and press releases. They create promotional material and images for our authors and create marketing campaigns. They help at live and virtual events and readings. And above all else, they support. Not only the Yellow Arrow team but our authors as well. I am so thankful to have had them with me on this journey.

So let’s introduce the summer 2024 interns. Each has our appreciation.

Caroline Kunz

Publications Intern

From Rochester, New York
*What do you do*? As a publications intern, I am largely responsible for formatting, copyediting, and proofreading Yellow Arrow chapbooks, vignette pieces, and journal pieces before publication. Additionally, I help to manage the Yellow Arrow blog by posting monthly Her View Friday and .Writers.on.Writing. content, as well as sharing my own personal blog posts. I assist in marketing these various publications by creating social media posts and designing graphics to promote Yellow Arrow’s many wonderful authors.
*Where do you go to school*? I am a rising senior at Loyola University Maryland studying English with a minor in writing. I will graduate in May of 2025.
*What are you currently working on*? As a college student, my most important job outside of Yellow Arrow is working toward my degree. However, since it’s currently my summer break, I’ve had the opportunity to substitute teach at a school district in my hometown. This, along with my publications internship, has been a great way to gain experience in one of my fields of interest. Plus, I’ve loved having the extra time recently to read for leisure and write creatively.

Caroline Kunz (she/her) is a rising senior at Loyola University Maryland, where she studies English and writing on a pre-MAT track. She enjoys traveling, scouting out new coffee shops, and, of course, reading and writing. As an aspiring educator, she hopes to share this love of the written word with future generations of students. Her current favorite authors include Taylor Jenkins Reid and Celeste Ng.

She plans to stay at Loyola for one year post-graduation to receive her MA in education. From there, she hopes to share with students her loves of literature and writing, as well as continue with her own personal creative pursuits!

Why did you choose an internship with Yellow Arrow?

I was immediately drawn to Yellow Arrow because of its mission to highlight and empower the voices of female authors across the world. As a young woman with a passion for writing, myself, Yellow Arrow and its impacts on the community were especially inspiring to me.

How are things going so far?

My experience as a publications intern has been meaningful in a variety of ways. I feel that I’ve gained valuable, hands-on experience in the publishing field, strengthened my skills in writing and editing, and found a deep appreciation for the female writers in our communities—all while working alongside women whose values align so closely with my own.

Sophia Lama

Program Management Intern

From Scotch Plains, New Jersey
*What do you do*? As the program management intern, my focus is centered around creating posts and graphics to support the team on social media, aid in building workshops, and assist with any and all programs Yellow Arrow has in the works. I also will be assisting in the editorial process as a reader and editor.
*Where do you go to school*? In the fall I will begin my senior year at the University of Maryland in College Park, and will be graduating in May of 2025. I have been pursuing a degree in English.
*What are you currently working on*? At the end of April, I completed my semester abroad in Spain, so I am trying to perfect my Spanish and become fully bilingual. Outside of that and Yellow Arrow, I am preparing to begin my senior year at the University of Maryland and I will be completing my degree in English in the spring.

Sophia Lama (she/her) is a rising senior at the University of Maryland, College Park, majoring in English. She is a part of a fundraising organization at college that raises money for Children’s National Hospital in Washington D.C. Sophia spends her summers in New Jersey with her family, and in her free time you may find her running, skiing, or reading. Her favorite thing about reading is sharing her passion with friends during book club!

She will be graduating next spring and completing her degree, so the next step is pursuing a full-time job. Ideally she would love to work in New York City because it’s so close to where she calls home, but the true end goal is to work in publishing, wherever that may take her.

Why did you choose to do an internship with Yellow Arrow?

I chose an internship with Yellow Arrow not only because Maryland connections run strong, but because of their mission. As a female student at a large school dominated by computer science and business majors, I find solace in the smaller classrooms surrounded by predominantly female students. I see the hard work my classmates put in, reading several books a week and writing 10 papers per semester, and I also see it go unnoticed outside of the classroom. Yellow Arrow’s mission truly resonated with me because they put a spotlight on dedicated women readers and writers, and ensure their chance to shine. I chose Yellow Arrow because that is something I will always want to be a part of.

How are things going so far?

After about a month and a half of interning at Yellow Arrow, I’ve been given the opportunity to meet and learn from so many intelligent people. We are currently gearing up to host an advisory event with local individuals in the Baltimore/Maryland arts scene, so I am extremely eager to hear from those with great success in the field I hope to stay in.

*****

Kapua Iao 7/14/24 Kapua Iao 7/14/24

Meet a Staff Member: Natalie Wollenzien

Yellow Arrow Publishing recently hired several new readers for our chapbook submissions (round 1 reading is currently taking place!) and would like to introduce each of them in a blog series over the weekend: Anna Leonard, Jillian Tremblay, and Natalie Wollenzien. Spring publications intern, Mel Silberger, also decided to stay on staff and has joined our new readers during our first-round selections; we’ll reintroduce Mel later in the year.

We are excited to have fresh eyes on this year’s chapbook submissions and to hear what they have to say about the beautiful voices shared with us. Thank you Anna, Jillian, Natalie, and Mel, for taking the time to join us this summer.

Finally (for now!), we would like to present Natalie Wollenzien. Natalie is a fiction, nonfiction, and poetry writer. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, she works at Sarabande Books as the marketing coordinator and writes freelance reviews for Foreword Reviews. As of late, her writing has been shifting towards the kooky, the strange, the reality tilted slightly to the left. Her cats remain ambivalent but supportive. She has work out in San Antonio Review and Anti-Heroin Chic and is building toward a full-length short story collection.

Natalie states, “I am so incredibly excited to start reading for Yellow Arrow! It’s such an honor and privilege to be included in a group of fellow passionate creatives. I look forward not only to finding those incredible works but also to be in conversation and collaboration with the lovely editorial team in finding which work to publish.”

Tell us a little something about yourself:

Past publications include “Healing My (Feral) Inner Child,” a poem in Anti-Heroin Chic, and “A Tacit Prayer,” a poem in San Antonio Review. I had the honor and privilege of attending my very first residency earlier this year through the Kentucky Foundation for Women in Loretto, Kentucky, and it was great! I’m on year three of being rejected from the Lambda Literary Retreat, but I’m biding my time.

What do you love most about Louisville, Kentucky?

The thing I love most about Louisville (where I live) is that it is so genuinely weird. Everyone that lives here, in my humble opinion, has a uniqueness to them, for better or worse. They all have something that’s solely theirs, and I find that most Louisville folks are unapologetically themselves. The food is pretty great, too.

How did you get involved with Yellow Arrow and what do you do for us? Why did you want to join the Yellow Arrow team?

I was so delighted to see that Yellow Arrow was offering reader positions through CLMP’s job and volunteer postings! I loved Yellow Arrow’s mission to uplift marginalized voices, particularly women voices, and that they strive to be a welcoming and open space for writers of all backgrounds: “yes, we belong here, too.”

What are you working on currently?

Right now, I am trying to get back into more consistent mindfulness: journaling, meditation, meditative movements, and so on. I find for myself, at least, that it’s incredibly important to take time for myself that doesn’t involve a screen. I’m also trying to cobble together some short story ideas and actually put them to paper!

What genre do you write or read the most and why?

I cycle through different genres pretty often! Lately I’ve been very, very into speculative fiction, but I can feel myself starting to edge closer towards the essay. It’s hard to say why I go through cycles of writing genres like this.

What book is on the top of your to-be-read pile?

I found out about this book this morning [in May] actually! It’s Bright and Tender Dark, a thriller novel by Joanna Pearson. I’m not typically a murder mystery kind of person, but I will read anything that Joanna Pearson writes, as with her writing there’s always something darker and frighteningly human lurking beneath the surface.

Who is your favorite writer and why?

Oh, this one is so tough! I think my most recent favorite author is Mona Awad. Just this year I’ve gotten to read Bunny, All’s Well, and Rouge! She is such a fearless writer, so unafraid for her characters to think the darkened thoughts, to behave in ways strange and uncouth, to make the wrong decisions (almost) to the very end. Her ability to be a master in worldbuilding in her word usage is a masterclass in and of itself, as well.

Who has inspired and/or supported you most in your writing journey?

Honestly, no singular person comes to mind so much as a myriad of stepping stones in the form of supportive loved ones, teachers, professors, TAs, and coworkers throughout my life. I’ve found that sharing your writing can be such a vulnerable thing, and it’s the folks that responded with such compassion and care that I owe so much to.

What do you love most about writing?

It feels transformative, in a way. Even when I’m writing something from my own perspective, it feels as though I enter a different universe when I get in a proper flow state, like everything else falls away and it’s just me and the world that I’m creating. It can bring about huge amounts of catharsis and joy as well as despair and frustration, a very life-full kind of experience.

What advice do you have for new writers?

Rejection is okay! Being rejected is not at all a reflection of your talent as a writer. The most talented people you or I know have been rejected by many, many literary magazines and agents and publishers. I’ve found that what helps me the most is to submit my work en masse. Oddly enough, it feels like less of a blow rather than waiting with bated breath for one response to one story or poem I send in.

What’s the most important thing you always keep near wherever you work?

I have a small collection of stress balls, each with a different “squish” factor, if you will. The more stress I need to exert, the tougher the stress ball needs to be. Also, water! Anytime I can feel myself getting in a more negative frame of mind, I am not joking when about half of the time it’s because I’m dehydrated.

What’s your vision for Yellow Arrow in 2024?

When I think of the term “amplify,” I think of a megaphone, amplifying a voice. There’s a loudness to it, a call to attention. In the case of women’s voices, we have been historically silenced, sometimes through legislation, sometimes through barring us from important rooms and conversations, and often through cultural conditioning. We’re told that we are too loud, too aggressive, “too much” generally speaking. I hope to find the works that bite back, the unapologetically themselves, the works that say that “I am not too much, you are simply thinking too small.”

*****

Kapua Iao 7/13/24 Kapua Iao 7/13/24

Meet a Staff Member: Jillian Tremblay

Next, we would like to present Jillian Tremblay. Jillian is a recent graduate of the University of Scranton, where she received her degree in English, with minors in political science and philosophy. She is an aspiring writer, and her short stories have been published in her university’s literary magazine, Esprit, on which she also served as an editor and assistant production manager. Jillian is constantly in pursuit of knowledge and hopes to continuously do work that elevates the voices of those around her while also developing her own voice.

Jillian says, “I am looking forward to learning more about the process behind the Yellow Arrow publications and reading all the submissions! I cannot wait to work with the staff and just to fully immerse myself in the role.”

Tell us a little something about yourself:

This past academic year, two of my short stories have been published in my university’s literary magazine, but I have been working a lot more on my creative writing and feel much more confident in my abilities. I hope to eventually publish a collection of my own short stories.

What do you love most about Long Island?

Living on Long Island has given me the privilege of being near New York City and the busy life of it all but also distanced me enough to find solace in a slower paced life when necessary. The first time I left home was for college, and while I will be returning home after graduation, I am most excited at the possibility of traveling in the future and seeing wherever I land.

How did you get involved with Yellow Arrow and what do you do for us? Why did you want to join the Yellow Arrow team?

I got involved with Yellow Arrow after finding them through Instagram and going through the application process to join the staff as a reader. I was especially drawn to the team because of Yellow Arrow’s mission to uplift women-identifying voices.

What are you working on currently?

As I am completing my undergraduate degree, I am currently looking further into graduate programs and generally working to see what best suits my goal to change lives through literature.

What genre do you write or read the most and why?

One of my favorite genres to read is fantasy, but I have yet to write any fantasy of my own. When I think of my favorite fantasy books, I largely credit them for the quality of worldbuilding and how committed the work is to immerse the reader in that world. As I continue to write more contemporary fiction, I hope that down the line I can develop a confidence in my writing that will allow me to explore that level of creativity.

What book is on the top of your to-be-read pile?

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky. The length is daunting, but I’m determined to get through it!

Who is your favorite writer and why?

Fredrik Backman is one of my favorite contemporary authors. I find his prose to be breathtaking, and evidently reflects the care with which he handles every single character in his works. I also find myself most inspired to write after reading something of his.

Who has inspired and/or supported you most in your writing journey?

One of the greatest inspirations for pursuing creative writing has been an English professor at my university who is the moderator for the literary magazine I have been an editor on. I have also had the privilege to take two of his classes, and he entirely changed the way I write, both critically and creatively, for the better.

What do you love most about writing?

Something I love about writing is the ability for a piece to take on an entirely different shape in its execution than when the idea originally formulated in your head. I love to hand write my first few drafts of a piece in my journal, so I can look back and see how a sentence I initially wrote to be the concluding line actually works better as the opening line or how the seemingly inconsequential bullet points of an idea grow into a pivotal plot point. As rewarding as it is to see a piece in its completion, I revel in the step-by-step planning.

What advice do you have for new writers?

Invest in a journal and write out all your ideas as they come to you! Writing is a process and going straight to typing out your stories sometimes forces you to feel like your piece is finished too soon. Writing out your ideas lets you be messy and unfinished without the intimidation of a blinking cursor and an imposing word count.

What’s the most important thing you always keep near wherever you work?

Headphones are always a nearby necessity when I am doing work. Listening to music helps me drown out the overwhelming input of the world around me and gives me the ability to focus solely on what is in front of me. I also just love listening to music and glean a lot of inspiration in my own creative process by listening to different songs.

What’s your vision for Yellow Arrow in 2024?

When I think of amplifying, I picture a lit stage in need of a spotlight. While some may be attentive to certain voices, others willfully overlook these people and ignore what could possibly enrich them. A spotlight is what forces people to stop, watch, and listen. I think that using the tools we have to project other’s voices is one of the most important things we can do as humans.

*****

Kapua Iao 7/12/24 Kapua Iao 7/12/24

Meet a Staff Member: Anna Leonard

First, we would like to present Anna Leonard. Anna (she/her) is a poet, musician, and artist based in Richmond, Virginia. She is entering an MFA program to study creative writing (poetry) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and got her BA in theater with a minor in creative writing from VCU in 2019. Writing serves as a vulnerable exercise in her dedication to sincerity and peace-seeking. Her poems can be read in Emerge Literary Journal, Anti-Heroin Chic, Ghost City Press, Eunoia Review, and The Rising Phoenix Review. She has songs available to stream on all streaming platforms.

Anna says, “I am obsessed with the contemporary. I want to be in the here and now of literature as much as possible, so getting the inside scoop as to what people are moved to create and share to publications right here and now is thrilling. In line with that, I feel lucky to be playing a part in advocating for other female-identifying writers and helping to build a space where we all can explore, create, play, and share our voices with the world. We deserve it.”

Tell us a little something about yourself:

Writing has always been about connecting with others, so I’m honored to have a handful of poetry publications and songs available to stream. Throughout my life, I have fervently pursued performance and creation in many forms: classical opera, producing music, ballet, acting, stand-up, sketch comedy, film studies, woodworking, film, etc. Aside from creating, I am deeply moved by spending time outdoors, enjoy playing video games, and love my two rambunctious cats, Cricket and Cherry.

What do you love most about Richmond, Virginia?

I love Richmond because it feels like everything is at my fingertips. It’s a small enough city that I run into someone I know wherever I go, but it’s big enough to connect with every type of person or niche interest I could possibly be seeking. It hosts a uniquely friendly and authentic community of creators. I didn’t expect to like it so much!

How did you get involved with Yellow Arrow and what do you do for us? Why did you want to join the Yellow Arrow team?

I first heard of Yellow Arrow when I was looking for creative nonfiction classes. I stumbled upon a Yellow Arrow Write Here, Write Now one-off workshop taught by Kerry Graham, and I knew it was a welcoming community I would be lucky to be part of! When I saw Yellow Arrow was looking for readers, I remembered the quality of the conversations I got to take part in during that workshop and immediately reached out.

What are you working on currently?

I am currently working toward my goal of being better at video games (Fortnite at the moment). In August of 2024, I am beginning my MFA journey to study poetry, so I’m hoping to throw myself into academia shortly!

What genre do you write or read the most and why?

I write poetry and songs the most. I think of short form writing as an invitation with a generally low commitment level, and it’s amazing what you can accomplish in such little time. Short form writing like this gives me the chance to explore so many different perspectives and lives in a short amount of time. Don’t get me wrong, I very much so labor over these pieces and, at the same time, still love writing long scripts/working on chunks of novels. However, that’s the big draw. We can work hard to change the world in only a few words.

What book is on the top of your to-be-read pile?

For weeks, I have been reading about four different books at the same time, rotating through them at random, picking them up and putting them down, constantly moving through others. In my current repertoire [in April/May 2024], I am working my way through Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass series, I have both Beautiful World, Where Are You and Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney checked out from the library, and I am soon to start A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki.

Who is your favorite writer and why?

If I had to choose just one person, it would be Danez Smith . . . or Ocean Vuong or Naomi Shihab-Nye or Rainbow Rowell or Michelle Zauner or even John Green. I think there’s a powerful story to be written in everyone, but of course, the superpower of writers is craft. Danez Smith sticks out the most for the way they can manipulate a page. Their poetry collection, Don’t Call Us Dead, is what first showed me the scope of poetry. It can be accessible, heartbreaking, an act of protest, a stand-up set draft, and everything in between. Danez is so graceful yet hilarious and challenges biases just by writing about their life and experiences. I recommend that collection to anyone looking to get into poetry. It is a bridge, a connection point to a life that I can never call my own, which is the best thing writing can be.

Who has inspired and/or supported you most in your writing journey?

My professors, workshop leaders, mentors, family, friends. . . . They have all supported me. I am lucky that I haven’t been met by those around me with anything but love on my ever-changing career goals and interests, but my biggest motivator has always been my mom. Even now, after losing her to cancer, I am continually thinking about what she would think of me. She always made me believe that I was meant to live a unique and wonderful life. And she is always right!

What do you love most about writing?

In each of us lives an entire world, a rich life that often feels peerless. Writing serves as my connection point to those worlds, splinters into foreign skin. It provides an incredible opportunity for reacquaintance with my sense of self, other people, and the natural world, three pieces of life that feel growingly alien with age. Writing about grief, religion, queerness, femininity, and the search for joy beyond what has been given, beyond humanity’s both isolated and shared tribulations, has become my passionate and personal protest to suffering.

What advice do you have for new writers?

In preparation for applying to MFA programs this past cycle, I was having a dramatic number of meetings with people who I was sure would crack the “how to be a good writer” code for me. Turns out, there’s not a real answer to that. I know. It’s terrible. I’m a really analytical person who is also passionate about creating, and it makes things wildly challenging and evil at times. But this is to say: stop looking for an answer. Write in earnest and do it often. Recognize that you are always learning. Right or wrong, good or bad: these things don’t have room here. The people who are meant to see you and connect with your words will fall in line. Keep working.

What’s the most important thing you always keep near wherever you work)?

My emotional support water bottle. That phrase is a bit tired now, but it’s so true. I started studying opera when I was nine years old and found out that our vocal folds are not a hydration priority for our bodies. I always stay dramatically hydrated in fear of something vague and terrible happening to my voice. Don’t worry; I’m in therapy.

What’s your vision for Yellow Arrow in 2024?

The word “amplify” invokes a sense of pride. Each year, it seems that different aspects of advocacy and community have been part of the Yellow Arrow yearly values, and I am excited to be joining the team in its season of loud, proud, and undeniably here. I envision a year of increased accessibility to workshops and other resources because behind this value is a greater push to reach an even wider scope of female-identifying writers. What an exciting part of Yellow Arrow history to take part in!

*****

Kapua Iao 7/2/24 Kapua Iao 7/2/24

Meet a Staff Member: Claire Taylor

Yellow Arrow Publishing would like to introduce Claire Taylor, chapbook prose editor. Claire writes for both adults and children. She is the author of a children’s literature collection, Little Thoughts, as well as multiple chapbooks, including Mother Nature and One Good Thing. Her debut picture book, Benjamin’s Sad Day, is forthcoming from Golden Fleece Press. Claire is the founder and editor-in-chief of Little Thoughts Press, a literary magazine for young readers. She lives in Baltimore, Maryland, with her family and pets in an old stone house where birds love to roost. You can find her online at clairemtaylor.com.

Claire says, “I am looking forward to working closely with authors on their chapbooks and discovering new-to-me writers. Editing and revision have always been my favorite parts of the writing process because you get to take what is already strong and beautiful and polish it up to really make it shine. Writing can be lonely work and getting the opportunity to collaborate with both other Yellow Arrow editors and team members, as well as with individual authors to help finetune their chapbooks will be a lovely counterbalance to the isolation that so often accompanies writing. I’m excited to have an early peek into the books that Yellow Arrow will be publishing so that when they officially launch, I’ll be able to loudly shout about how great they are and encourage readers to check them out!”

Tell us a little something about yourself:

I am a mother of two and a recently retired licensed massage therapist. I spent over a decade operating my own practice specializing in integrative bodywork to help treat chronic pain and tension, relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression, and assist in the management of prenatal and postpartum wellness. I recently shifted my focus to working full time on writing projects and publishing my children’s literature magazine, Little Thoughts Press. Much of my writing centers on themes of mental health, motherhood, and the intersection of these two experiences. I write fiction, poetry, and a bit of creative nonfiction.

What do you love most about Baltimore?

I have lived in Baltimore for nearly 20 years, in several different neighborhoods, but am still struck by how many new-to-me corners of this city there are to explore. There is so much unique history and culture throughout the city and every neighborhood has its own vibe and style. In my neighborhood specifically, I love how many different things are within walking distance. I’m sandwiched between Druid Hill Park and Stony Run, so I’m surrounded by nature and can easily escape into the quiet of the trees, but I can also walk to shops and restaurants, to my son’s school, to an art museum, to the library. There’s so much to do and I don’t even have to get into my car to do it!

How did you get involved with Yellow Arrow and what do you do for us? Why did you want to join the Yellow Arrow team?

My initial involvement with Yellow Arrow was as a contributor to the journal. I had a poem published in the RESILIENCE issue and was lucky enough to take part in a reading at the Yellow Arrow House shortly before the pandemic hit and everything shut down. Since then, I have had additional pieces published in the EMERGE zine and as part of the Vignette online series. I also run a workshop, The Written Womb, with Yellow Arrow which explores writing on the themes of pregnancy, parenthood, and the postpartum experience. I am excited to now serve as the chapbook prose editor!

My poem in RESILIENCE was one of my first published pieces. That early experience working with Yellow Arrow and the support I received was foundational in building my confidence and motivation to continue pursuing publication for my poetry and other writing. I am so thankful to Yellow Arrow for that early boost, and I am excited to be able to play a role in providing that same level of support and encouragement to other Yellow Arrow writers.

What are you working on currently?

I am currently working on two novels, one is a middle-grade story about a boy who is gifted a journal that holds the surprising ability to turn his stories into reality, and the other is an adult novel about a group of women brought together by a shared grief experience.

I work on poems whenever the spirit moves me and throughout the year you’ll find me reading submissions for, or editing and designing, the latest issue of my kid-lit magazine Little Thoughts Press.

What genre do you write or read?

I write fiction the most because I like making up stories and I like how the genre has the flexibility to contain many other genres within it. You can infuse fiction with elements of nonfiction, history, and personal experience, and you can add aspects of poetry and poetic writing. It lets me dip a little into all the types of writing I like to do, but it also challenges me to piece together a full, complete narrative. There are so many elements that need to be managed and corralled. It’s fun.

What book is on the top of your to-be-read pile?

I really want to read Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr. I started it in the past but had to stop because I kept falling asleep every time I picked it up, but that’s just because I was pregnant at the time and constantly exhausted and is not a reflection on the book. I’m looking forward to returning to it now that I am better rested and have more free time during the day to read.

Who is your favorite writer and why?

I don’t really have a favorite writer, but I do have books that I return to whenever I need to feel inspired by the way really good writing pulls you in. I’ve read Ann Patchett’s Commonwealth a bunch of times. I love Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes.

I read a lot with my kids and though I’ve been disappointed to find that many of the books I loved as a child don’t really hold up when I read them again now, I recently read Charlotte’s Web with my son and I think it may be the most wonderful, perfect book ever written.

Who has inspired and/or supported you most in your writing journey?

I am very lucky to have a nice, big web of support. My husband reads early drafts of everything, and I can always tell if I’m on the right path by whether he says, “This is good,” (No) or “Oooh, this is good,” (Yep). Every time I send my friend Judy a new piece to read she tells me she thinks it’s her favorite one yet, and I think every writer needs a friend who is just your ultimate cheerleader and fangirl. My friend, Vic, who is a fellow writer I met online, is always open to exchanging drafts in any genre and offers great feedback and insights. My mom and my sister read all of my published work and pass it along to people they know.

As for inspiration, growing up, everywhere we went, my dad brought a book along with him, and he always had a notebook and a pencil in his pocket so that he could jot down his ideas and thoughts no matter where we were. I’ve never met anyone who spends as much time reading and writing as he does, and I think that constant visual example had a big influence on me.

What do you love most about writing?

I love it when a piece of writing you’re working on reveals itself to you. You can start with one idea or a specific direction, but when the writing is going well, it feels like the piece eventually takes over and leads you where it needs to go. It’s a great feeling.

What advice do you have for new writers?

If you’re able, volunteer as a submissions reader for a journal. It exposes you to so many different kinds of writing styles and voices and the experience provides invaluable insight into what makes writing stand out in both good and bad ways. Reading submissions and discovering what really sets good writing apart will make your own writing so much stronger and sharper. It also helps you recognize that not every good piece of writing will make it through to publication, and that’s a helpful perspective when dealing with rejections of your own work.

What’s the most important thing you always keep near wherever you work?

A cup of coffee and pen and paper. I drink too much coffee and I like to go back and forth between writing by hand and writing on my computer. I will switch forms whenever I get stuck while working.

What’s your vision for Yellow Arrow in 2024?

I would love to see Yellow Arrow itself amplified! Small presses are so important to the literary ecosystem, but it is difficult for them to sustain and thrive. Yellow Arrow has really grown in the few years since I first published a piece in the journal and that growth has been exciting to observe. I would love to see even more of it and to see more recognition for the work the Yellow Arrow team is doing to support its authors and contributors.

And I am always looking to elevate work from parents, chronically ill writers, and those with mental health struggles. Anyone whose creative pursuits must be squeezed into the small pockets of free time and well-being that exist in their lives, those for whom “write every day” is an impossibility, but who are out there making the time when they can, these are the writers I especially want to support.

*****

Kapua Iao 6/4/24 Kapua Iao 6/4/24

Meet a Staff Member: Kyra McDonnell

Yellow Arrow Publishing would like to introduce events manager Kyra McDonnell. Kyra (she/her) is a community engagement professional and proud resident of Baltimore City, Maryland. After moving to Baltimore from Rhode Island, Kyra quickly fell in love with the city and works professionally in various neighborhoods with residents to increase civic engagement and transparency with local government. After graduating with degrees in English and communications, she continues to explore her love of stories and is a passionate reader who is excited to connect Yellow Arrow authors with readers everywhere.

Kyra says, “Through working with Yellow Arrow, I’m looking forward to connecting with creatives in Baltimore. I have had the great joy of connecting with so many great neighborhoods and residents in my professional life, and I look forward to working with the creative communities through Yellow Arrow.”

Tell us a little something about yourself:

In my life, reading, stories, and creativity has always brought me a sense of peace. I find joy in hearing about others’ perspectives and experiences, and I particularly love the publications of Yellow Arrow that are so truthful and raw. I am so excited to join Yellow Arrow to combine my two longtime loves of books and community building through assisting in growing Yellow Arrow’s reach in Baltimore and beyond.

What do you love most about Baltimore?

There are so many things to love about Baltimore, the diversity of neighborhoods, amazing food, the joy of a community event, and more. My absolute favorite thing is that there is a little something for everyone here. Baltimore is a welcoming and exciting city that is always looking for new ways to create community while maintaining traditions. As summer approaches, I’m particularly looking forward to neighborhood and community festivals.

How did you get involved with Yellow Arrow and what do you do for us? Why did you want to join the Yellow Arrow team?

A longtime fan of Yellow Arrow’s work, I am so eager to get started and planning some great events for this summer. I wanted to join the Yellow Arrow team to combine my two favorite things, community building and reading. As events manager, I am eager to plan some new events and try new approaches to being out in the Baltimore community and beyond.

What are you working on currently?

I am currently working for the city of Baltimore, engaging community members in the budget process. While this sounds like another world from Yellow Arrow, I find it to be surprisingly similar. Oftentimes, I am with residents throughout Baltimore sharing information about the budget and how it connects to their experiences as residents of the city.

What genre do you write or read?

I gravitate most toward fiction, both romance and fantasy. I think I love hearing stories of love, adventure, and particularly when world-building is central to the story. The universe that authors can create is my favorite part about reading, and I love diving into it!

What book is on the top of your to-be-read pile?

Yulin Kuang’s How to End a Love Story and Mona Chollet’s In Defense of Witches.

Who is your favorite writer and why?

My favorite authors are Emily Henry and Roxane Gay. Emily consistently takes romance tropes and puts her own unique twist on them, and I find myself gravitating towards her stories again and again. Roxanne’s Hunger is incredibly honest and sticks with me today.

Who has inspired and/or supported you most in your writing journey?

My friends have always been my inspiration and support in my writing journey.

What do you love most about writing?

As a recreational writer, I love writing to see where it goes, not putting any pressure on the output, rather using it as a tool to process my experiences and the world around me.

What advice do you have for new writers?

Don’t overuse the delete button! I find that sometimes I delete in frustration, and I often wish I had that thought to go back to, for me pen to paper will always help with this.

What’s the most important thing you always keep near wherever you work?

My coffee, a good gel pen, and SO many sticky notes.

What’s your vision for Yellow Arrow in 2024?

As the events manager, I am looking forward to being a part of the amplified effort of the team to share Yellow Arrow’s incredible work with the world. Everyone’s story has a space for being heard and I am eager to find those spaces for Yellow Arrow’s authors.

*****

Kapua Iao 5/14/24 Kapua Iao 5/14/24

Meet a Staff Member: Leticia Priebe Rocha

Yellow Arrow Publishing would like to (re)introduce Leticia Priebe Rocha, a reader for Yellow Arrow publications. Leticia is a poet, visual artist, and editor. She is the author of In Lieu of Heartbreak, This is Like (Bottlecap Press, 2024). Leticia earned her bachelor’s from Tufts University, where she was awarded the 2020 Academy of American Poets University & College Poetry Prize. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, she immigrated to Miami, Florida, at the age of nine and currently resides in the Greater Boston area. Her work has been published in Salamander, Rattle, Pigeon Pages, Protean Magazine, and elsewhere. Leticia also served as guest editor for Yellow Arrow Journal’s EMBLAZON issue (fall 2023). For more information, visit her website at leticiaprieberocha.com.

It’s been a joy getting to know Leticia and working with her. She says, “I deeply value spaces like Yellow Arrow which prioritize uplifting underrepresented voices and empowering us to be heard. As a writer (and human!), I seek to align myself with publications that truly live their values. I have witnessed the staff embodying this at Yellow Arrow, and I have had nothing but good experiences as a submitter, contributor, and editor. I believe that this speaks to the tremendous dedication and care that Yellow Arrow has for this work. It has been a privilege to make contributions to their mission of uplifting women creatives and I am incredibly excited to continue to do so as a reader!”

Tell us a little something about yourself:

My first chapbook, In Lieu of Heartbreak, This is Like, (highlighted in Her View Friday!) was recently released with Bottlecap Press (2024). I have been writing poetry since I was in high school and fantasized about being a writer long before then. Having a poetry collection in print is a literal dream come true! Aside from writing and surrounding myself with as much poetry as possible, I also love collaging. Since I don’t have formal artistic training, I did not think of myself as a visual artist for a while, but I am leaning into that label now. Outside of my creative pursuits, I am really into film and television. I may have a slightly unhealthy obsession with mafia-related media, and I could talk about The Sopranos for hours!

What do you love most about where you live in Medford, Massachusetts?

I love how many opportunities for cultural engagement there are in the Greater Boston area. Poetry readings, museums and galleries, music shows—I am constantly surrounded by art, beauty, and community. It is such an expansive place to live!

How did you get involved with Yellow Arrow and why did you want to join the Yellow Arrow team?

I became involved with Yellow Arrow when my poem, “Lost In,” was published in Yellow Arrow Journal’s PEREGRINE issue (fall 2022). Later I served as guest editor for the EMBLAZON issue, which is how I became familiar with Yellow Arrow’s process for reviewing submissions. I greatly enjoyed reading submissions and collaborating with a team that invests great levels of care into every piece sent. I had such a wonderful experience that I applied to join the Yellow Arrow team as a reader!

What are you working on currently?

Now that my first chapbook has been published, I am finding ways to build my audience and share my work more broadly through readings, interviews, and being in community with writers. Writing-wise, I am exploring directions for a full-length manuscript and seeing where the poems take me.

What genre do you write or read the most and why?

Poetry. Even before poetry found me, I’ve always had the disposition of a poet, gifted in the art of observation. I love the possibilities that poetry opens up, its inherent subversiveness, it’s ability to dismantle language and experience, rebuild with love.

What book is on the top of your to-be-read pile?

Diannely Antigua’s Ugly Music.

Who is your favorite writer and why?

Ocean Vuong. Whether he is writing poetry, fiction, or an Instagram caption, Ocean strings words together in a brilliant way, with utter clarity that illuminates what it means to be alive.

Who has inspired and/or supported you most in your writing journey?

I was lucky enough to take poetry classes with Natalie Shapero while I studied at Tufts University. She fostered an incredibly nurturing workshop environment, helped me solidify my identity as a poet, and her lessons on craft hugely influence my work. I also feel immensely inspired by the writing community at MassPoetry, an organization that supports poets and poetry in Massachusetts.

What do you love most about writing?

Writing has always been an outlet for untangling life’s messy and miraculous experiences. It has served me as a form of resistance and is always a labor of love.

What advice do you have for new writers?

Find ways to be in community with other writers, which is so vital to learning and growing as a writer. If you have something to say and feel the urge to write, you have to listen to that—listen to your intuition, keep going, no matter how many rejections come your way.

What’s the most important thing you always keep near your computer or wherever you work?

I keep a pile of poetry collections at hand so I can read poems outside of myself whenever I feel stuck with my own work.

What’s your vision for Yellow Arrow in 2024?

Having laid such a steady and nourishing foundation, I envision Yellow Arrow increasing our reach. A wider reach in the creative world means amplifying more voices and consequently increasing our impact!

*****

Kapua Iao 4/24/24 Kapua Iao 4/24/24

Meet a Staff Member: Isabelle Anderson

Yellow Arrow Publishing is excited to (re)introduce Isabelle Anderson, Vignette Assistant for 2024’s Yellow Arrow Vignette AMPLIFY. Isabelle (she/her) was a publications intern at Yellow Arrow in 2022. She is a poet and fiction writer from Baltimore, Maryland. She recently graduated with a BA in English from Washington College where she was a finalist for the Sophie Kerr Prize and the recipient of The Pfister Poetry Prize through the Academy of American Poets. When she is not reading or writing, she can be found on a nature walk, checking the trees for good spots to hide golf pencils à la Mary Oliver.

Submissions for Yellow Arrow Vignette AMPLIFY are open April 1-30 and will be shared in August, ending with the AMPLIFY reading in the fall. Unlike past issues, this issue of Vignette does not ask submitters to send in pieces on the theme of AMPLIFY; rather, staff at Yellow Arrow are using the idea (our 2024 yearly value) in house as a reminder to continue to share and amplify women-identifying voices. We want to return to some of the earliest goals of Yellow Arrow: sharing and amplifying the creative work of voices and themes that aren’t heard loudly enough. And this summer, the Vignette series is dedicated to emphasizing those women who aren’t often heard enough, and the stories, essays, poems, themes, and topics that are too often missed. Better yet, we’re focusing on Baltimore itself and want to hear from all our women-identifying creatives currently from or lived in the area. Learn more about our focus, our guidelines, and how to submit at yellowarrowpublishing.com/vignette/submissions.

We are happy to have Isabelle rejoin us for this year’s Vignette series. She says, “I’m looking forward to reading for the upcoming issue with a level of general excitement, to see what the women of Baltimore are working on, and to revel in all the beautiful creativity happening around me.”

Tell us a little something about yourself:

For a long time, my genre of choice was fiction, and, in a way, my love for poetry snuck up on me. I didn’t read much poetry until a few years ago, and discovering many contemporary women writing poetry really sparked my interest in writing it myself.

What do you love most about Baltimore?

Within the last few years, I’ve worked at a couple small businesses around Baltimore County, and I love the ways they intersect with the community. From working in local food service and creative spaces, I’ve met so many neighbors and found information on book clubs and writing groups I might not have otherwise.

How did you get involved with Yellow Arrow? Why did you want to join the Yellow Arrow team?

Initially, I worked with Yellow Arrow as an intern in 2022, but my current role is as the Vignette Assistant for the upcoming issue. I wanted to rejoin the Yellow Arrow team because my internship had been such a positive experience and I’ve always admired the mission of highlighting women-identifying writers.

What are you working on currently?

Lately I’ve been trying to refine some work (mostly poems) for MFA applications and potential publication along with working on a long-form fiction project about sisterhood.

What genre do you write or read the most and why?

Poetry! I love the freedom it allows, and how it can give a home to my detail-obsessive brain.

What book is on the top of your to-be-read pile?

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo—I haven’t committed to it yet, but I’ve heard great things and really love to see the ways LGBTQ+ experience have been highlighted in the Yellow Arrow space in recent years.

Who is your favorite writer and why?

Olivia Gatwood. I hugely credit her poetry collection Life of the Party for cementing my interest in poetry and informing a lot of my earlier attempts at writing poems myself. Her poems are often heavily narrative—which appealed to the fiction writer in me—and simultaneously manage to take on such an etherically musical quality.

Who has inspired and/or supported you most in your writing journey?

My three little sisters Madeleine, Genevieve, and Juliette inspire and support me every day in writing and beyond by being the hilarious, imaginative, and lovely girls they are.

What do you love most about writing?

That it’s a quiet act while quite literally being anything but quiet. I’ve always been fairly self-contained, so I think as a child I was drawn into writing largely because it is an activity that can be done alone and can be silent, yet it produces something expressive and something through which people can connect.

What advice do you have for new writers?

To follow what feels good about writing. While I’ve had an interest in writing fiction for quite a long time, I started experimenting with poetry not that long ago and found the genre just seemed to fit me well. As I’ve learned more about form, it’s started to help me make sense of certain patterns of mine—like what details I find interesting and how my ideas develop—and I think the best way for a newer writer grow and better understand their own process is to first follow what’s enjoyable and interesting, then move from there.

What’s the most important thing you always keep near where you work?

A cup full of colorful markers and highlighters—I love color-coordinated notes!

What’s your vision for Yellow Arrow in 2024?

My vision is a continuation on the preexisting mission to give space to women-identifying writers, and I hope we reach even more women in the Baltimore area with Vignette specifically.

Baltimore creatives who identify as women: check out our call for Yellow Arrow AMPLIFY at https://www.yellowarrowpublishing.com/vignette/submissions—we would love to read what you write! Submissions are open through April 30.

*****

Kapua Iao 4/23/24 Kapua Iao 4/23/24

Meet a Staff Member: Dr. Tonee Mae Moll

Yellow Arrow Publishing is thrilled to introduce Dr. Tonee Mae Moll, Vignette Managing Editor for 2024’s Yellow Arrow Vignette AMPLIFY. Tonee Mae (she/they) is a queer and trans writer and educator who lives in Baltimore, Maryland. She holds a PhD in English from Morgan State University and an MFA in creative writing & publishing art from the University of Baltimore. Tonee Mae is an assistant professor of English at a community college in Maryland. Her debut memoir, Out of Step, won a 2018 Lambda Literary Award and the 2017 Non/Fiction Prize. It was also featured on the American Library Association’s annual list of notable LGBTQ+ books. Her latest poetry collection, You Cannot Save Here, won the Jean Feldman Poetry Prize from Washington Writers Publishing House. Tonee Mae’s poetry has also received the Adele V. Holden award for creative excellence and the Bill Knott Poetry Prize. It has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net, and Tonee Mae was recently a finalist for the Baker Artist Award in Literary Arts. She is a Gemini.

It’s been a joy getting to know Tonee Mae as we planned this year’s Vignette series. She says, “I was lying with my partner, exhausted after a long week, when I got the news that I’d be working with Yellow Arrow this year. I bolted up in bed as I read the email, told them the news, then immediately started crying. Big heavy sobs. That partner doesn’t work in writing, but they got it anyway—they could see how important it is for a women’s publication to select a trans woman for such a role. This should be normal by now, but it remains exceptional, and I’m excited to be part of a team that celebrates trans women and is making sure we’re not squeezed out of the conversation during a period of heightened transphobia, both in the U.S. and globally.”

Tell us a little something about yourself:

I am a queer and trans poet and essayist living in Baltimore. I have a couple of books, and they’ve won a couple of awards (including a Lambda Literary Award). I grew up loving D&D, punk rock, and in-line skating, and somehow, I’ve become an adult who loves poetry, Queer theory, and feminist epistemologies.

What do you love most about Baltimore?

I LOVE Baltimore. I tell people everywhere I go about how amazing this city is. It’s even on my dating profile. What I love most is the fact that the doors are wide open. Anyone can show up with any wild idea, find a scene that’s eager to have them, and start making something: music, literature, visual art, performance—whatever. Like, did you know that Baltimore is known for being a hub for puppetry? It’s also a town that is very Queer and very trans, and there, too, folks can just show up and there’s someone here with open arms. It’s not without its challenges, and it's a city that deserves better than we get sometimes—our lawmakers, our reputation, the attention our brilliant communities and artists receive—but those challenges are part of the atmosphere that make it what it is.

How did you get involved with Yellow Arrow? Why did you want to join the Yellow Arrow team?

I met founding editor Gwen Van Velsor years ago through the Baltimore literary scene, and I’ve been following Yellow Arrow since it began! For years I’ve watched all the cool stuff that has been developed, and this winter, when the posting for managing editor came across my social media, I felt for the first time like I was in an ideal space to get involved. I joined because I believe in the work that is being done to amplify and champion women’s writing, and I was eager to jump in!

What are you working on currently?

A year and a half out from my last book, I have three big writing projects, and they’re all sort of fighting for the “front burner.” Beyond my own writing though, I’m currently in the throes of helping to organize the 2024 CityLit Festival. The CityLit board supports the director, Carla Du Pree, in making all that festival’s many moving parts possible, and it’s a HUGE effort.

What genre do you write or read the most and why?

I’m sort of skeptical of the firm boundaries that are put around genre and that’s mostly because I write a bit of everything. Rather than thinking intentionally about genre, I try to just make interesting, emotionally honest things, and let an editor figure out how to categorize it. That being said, my MFA thesis (along with my first book) is labeled “creative nonfiction,” and my PhD dissertation (and second book) is categorized as poetry. I mostly write where those two waters meet, and I tell folks that I write lyrical work that tends to be true and is often about gender.

What book is on the top of your to-be-read pile?

I’m currently finishing up Stephanie Burt’s We Are Mermaids, and up next is the work of one of my colleagues, Susan Muaddi Darraj. She’s a Palestinian-American author whose latest novel, Behind You is The Sea, is getting some much-deserved national attention. I can’t wait to dig in.

Who is your favorite writer and why?

I think Toni Morrison is THE Great American Novelist. Her work—its beauty, its violence, its ugly, its honesty—tells the story of America otherwise erased or ignored by earlier writers, scholars, and historians. She is unparalleled.

Who has inspired and/or supported you most in your writing journey?

I’ve had incredible mentors and educators, particularly in my graduate education. Among the people who helped mold me as an artist are Kendra Kopelke, celeste doaks, Marion Winik, and Betsy Boyd. I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention my writing workshop, a small group of friends who have been meeting monthly for nearly a decade; they played a big part in getting my first two books ready for the world!

What do you love most about writing?

Sometimes I remind my students that when we daydream of the magic in some of the fantasy worlds they read, we should be reminded that writing is the closest thing we have to it here. Writing is marks on a page (or screen) that have been cast down by someone who has studied their craft deeply for years, sometimes decades, that sit there until such a time that someone else reads it, and the feeling, meaning or idea that the creator left in those marks is passed to the reader, across distance and time. Those ideas that are passed on can create new possibilities in the reader’s mind: new worlds, new concepts of self, new optimisms, even new notions of “we.”

What advice do you have for new writers?

The writing is the thing. There are countless people who want to say, “I have this idea for a novel,” but it’s not the idea that makes a book. It’s showing up to write, to hone your craft, to gather and consider feedback, to revise—all the things it takes to actually finish a manuscript. An idea doesn’t make an author, work does.

What’s the most important thing you always keep near where you work?

Water. I’m sure I should say something cooler, but all of us should be hydrating more. (Check in: when was the last time you had a drink of water, reader?)

What’s your vision for Yellow Arrow in 2024?

I’m excited about this year’s value being AMPLIFY, and I hope we can make Vignette continue to do exactly that this year. Part of what this year’s theme means to me is remembering that the goal of publishers, journals, and literary organizations isn’t to speak for those who aren’t heard loudly enough, but to pass the mic and help amplify those people as they speak for themselves. That’s one thing that Vignette and Yellow Arrow can do: turn up the volume on the important words of women who don’t get heard often enough, loudly enough, frequently enough.

Baltimore creatives who identify as women: check out our call for Yellow Arrow AMPLIFY at yellowarrowpublishing.com/vignette/submissions—we would love to read what you write! Submissions are open through April 30.

*****

Kapua Iao 4/16/24 Kapua Iao 4/16/24

Gratitude is a Divine Emotion: Yellow Arrow Interns

“Gratitude is a divine emotion: it fills the heart, but not to bursting; it warms it, but not to fever.”

from Shirley by Charlotte Brontë

We try to find each volunteer, each intern, space in our organization to grow and flourish in the area they are most interested in (and of course where we need the most help!). Past staff members have worked at our live events and at Yellow Arrow House. They hand bound our publications and put as much love and tenderness into each copy as we could hope. Now that we are a mostly virtual publishing company, they focus on copyediting and proofreading as well as writing blogs and press releases. They create promotional material and images for our authors and create marketing campaigns. They help at live and virtual events and readings. And above all else, they support. Not only the Yellow Arrow team but our authors as well. I am so thankful to have had them with me on this journey.

So let’s introduce the spring 2024 interns. Each has our appreciation.

Amaya Lambert

Program Management Intern

From Baltimore, Maryland
*What do you do*? I am an intern for program management alongside the executive director, Annie Marhefka. I assist in the management and assessment of Yellow Arrow’s programs, including social media content, workshops, and events.
*Where do you go to school*? I go to school at Towson University. I am a senior and will be graduating May 23th.
*What are you currently working on*? I am working on completing my English and creative writing degree at Towson. I am still in the planning stage for my novels but have a goal of drafting one of them during the summer! Besides that, I am spending time with my sisters, playing video games, and listening to new music.

Amaya Lambert is a reader, writer, and storyteller. There’s nothing more that she loves than stories with profound messages and themes written in fantastical backgrounds. She likes to describe her writing genre as fantasy and introspection combined, a story that makes one think and dazzles them with an intricate world. You can find Amaya on Instagram @mayamackenziee.

Her future plans after graduation is to start a career in social media marketing while working on her books. Also, Amaya plans to sign up for some summer internships and a program for those who are interested in working in publishing. She wants to make a stable income to support herself and her family.

Why did you choose an internship with Yellow Arrow?

I chose this internship because I like the values of Yellow Arrow, especially their commitment to women-identifying and marginalized voices. While working here, I’ve discovered a passion for reading poetry and creative nonfiction, and how people are comfortable sharing their stories because they’ve fostered a safe space for them. As I explore the industry, I am often confused as it is contingent on female-presenting voices and yet suppresses them. I am glad to see a publishing company run by women-identifying people for women-identifying people.

Mel Silberger

Publications Intern

Currently in Baltimore, Maryland, for school, but from Long Island, New York
*What do you do*? While an intern at Yellow Arrow, I am responsible for the monthly .W.o.W. and Her View Friday (HVF) posts along with blogs and general social media graphics promoting past publications. I also focus on reading and copyediting upcoming chapbooks, including *Beyond the Galleons* by Isabel Cristina Legarda, which was released in April, and the journal issue **ELEVATE**. Lastly, I create social media content for celebration days, such as weekly posts for Women’s History Month with my fellow intern, Amaya, and general writing holidays.
*Where do you go to school*? I am currently a senior at Loyola University Maryland, and I will be graduating in May of this year!
*What are you currently working on*? I am currently working toward receiving a bachelor of arts in psychology and writing. I also have two jobs at Loyola University, one as a residence hall desk assistant and the other as a rock wall attendant.

Amelia (Mel) Silberger is a senior at Loyola University Maryland majoring in psychology and writing and minoring in political science. When she is not working, she enjoys writing and rock climbing. Mel has spent the past two summers living in Orlando, Florida, while participating in the Disney College Program. She has loved creating stories since she was six years old, and hopes to continue to grow and build with other writers in the future. You can find her on LinkedIn or email 108amelia@gmail.com.

Her future plans are to continue to gain experience through the publications and editing fields.

Why did you choose to do an internship with Yellow Arrow?

Yellow Arrow’s mission of not only elevating and amplifying female identifying writers, but also recognizing the widespread effects these creators have throughout the community, inspired me. I wanted to be a part of an organization that focused on both writing and the impacts these works have on others.

*****

Kapua Iao 4/2/24 Kapua Iao 4/2/24

Meet a Staff Member: Samantha Pomerantz

Yellow Arrow Publishing would like to introduce Samantha Pomerantz, a reader for Yellow Arrow publications. Samantha (she/her) is a writer and a lover of stories. She is studying English and creative writing at Elon University until mid 2024. And then she will do other things that will likely also involve reading and writing. She is the poetry editor of Colonnades Literary and Art Journal and the second-place recipient of the 2023 Frederick Haartman poetry prize. Samantha has spent most of her life in Germantown, Maryland, hugging trees and learning how to be a person.

Samantha was the summer 2023 publications intern for Yellow Arrow Publishing. She says, “I very much look forward to reading the work of women-identifying people from all over the world and all walks of life. Connecting with these stories and helping to share them feels so transformative and important.”

What do you love most about Baltimore?

I split my time between North Carolina and Germantown, Maryland. In both places, what I love most are the trees. At my school in North Carolina, there are huge oak trees everywhere, and fallen leaves cover the brick paths year-round. In Maryland, it is the maple trees in my neighborhood that are my favorite. They add so much character.

How did you get involved with Yellow Arrow and what do you do for us? Why did you want to join the Yellow Arrow team?

I began at Yellow Arrow as a publications intern. I am now transitioning into a role as a staff reader. I was so inspired by Yellow Arrow’s mission and values, which align with my own. I love literature and reading the work of women-identifying people. When I read Yellow Arrow’s tagline “every writer has a story to tell and every story is worth telling,” I felt a resounding ‘yes!’

What are you working on currently?

I am super focused on health right now, and how to better manage stress. I am also working on my undergraduate degree in English, creative writing. And learning French, just for fun.

What genre do you write (or read if you don’t write)?

I mostly write poetry. I love to play with the mouthfeel of words, the way they sound and look on a page to convey layers of meaning. I also love the freedom of poetry, and the ability to cut deep into the heart of the human condition. I am also an avid journaler, which helps me organize my experience of life.

What book is on the top of your to-be-read pile?

The House of Belonging by David Whyte and Discover Your Dharma by Sahara Rose.

Who is your favorite writer and why?

My favorite authors are Andre Aciman and Glennon Doyle. I love the way that both write about the human condition—it is so beautiful. They write with such vulnerability and truth that comforts and inspires.

Who has inspired and/or supported you most in your writing journey?

My favorite authors, a plethora of poets, and my high school and university writing professors have inspired me significantly. Their encouragement and example have fostered my love of reading and writing.

What advice do you have for new writers?

As a new-ish writer myself, I have found the most difficult part to establish a consistent writing practice. But I hear this is important. Also, trust yourself! “Every writer has a story to tell and every story is worth telling” :)

What’s the most important thing you always keep near your computer?

Positive affirmations! I have ‘love’ notes on my desk from people who have read my work and who have shared how it has impacted them. These remind me why I write and help quiet the ‘you’re not good enough’ voice.

What’s your vision for Yellow Arrow in 2024?

As a reader, I want to help elevate and amplify the voices that feel the most true and vulnerable. When we amplify underrepresented voices, there opens space in the world to heal. These stories are important and deserve to be celebrated and shared.

*****

Kapua Iao 3/5/24 Kapua Iao 3/5/24

Meet a Staff Member: Sydney Alexander

Yellow Arrow Publishing would like to (re)introduce Sydney Alexander, an editorial associate. Sydney is a junior at Middlebury College in Vermont studying English and geography. She grew up in Maryland, near Baltimore. Her work has been published online in Hunger Mountain Review and Mulberry Literary.

Sydney says, “I am most excited to continue reading and editing the work of women and helping in their process of publication. I enjoyed working on many of the publications in 2023, and I am excited to see what 2024 holds for us. It is very inspiring to be a part of the Yellow Arrow community, and I look forward to helping in any way that I can.”

Tell us a little something about yourself:

Most recently, my story “Homebody” was published in Mulberry Literary, where it won first place in their Fresh Voices Award.

What do you love most about Baltimore?

One of my favorite things about Baltimore is Atomic Books, a comic bookstore located in Hampden. In addition to their vast array of comics, they also have a really good selection of general fiction.

How did you get involved with Yellow Arrow and what do you do for us? Why did you want to join the Yellow Arrow team?

I joined Yellow Arrow in spring 2022, where I served as the events and community engagement intern. After my internship ended, I joined the staff as a reader, and I also continued to write blogs. Now, I am excited to be an editorial associate. Something I really love about the Yellow Arrow team is how dedicated everyone is to our mission. I am constantly inspired by the community of women I have met while working at Yellow Arrow, from the authors to the staff.

What are you working on currently?

I am currently taking a gap semester from college to pursue new publishing opportunities and work on my own creative writing. I am interning at Galiot Press, a brand-new publishing company. In February, I will be moving to Portland, Maine, where I will be interning at Portland Monthly Magazine as well.

What genre do you write and/or read the most and why?

I enjoy reading and writing literary fiction and magical realism, and I especially love reading short story collections. I like literary fiction because I find the daily lives of ordinary people to be compelling and often relatable; I think there is a lot of richness to be found in the most commonplace events. I like magical realism because I think that an added fantastical element often makes the lives of normal people a little more interesting.

What book is on the top of your to-be-read pile?

The book at the top of my to-be-read pile right now is The Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang. Last spring, I read her other novel How Much of These Hills is Gold, and I loved it. I am very excited to read her newest novel.

Who is your favorite writer and why?

I have a lot of writers I admire, but the two who are always at the top of my list include Karen Russell and Carmen Maria Machado. I really admire their creative and idiosyncratic stories, which are so unique. Their use of language is also really impressive.

Who has inspired and/or supported you most in your writing journey?

I think my dad has supported my writing journey the most. Since I was in middle school, he has edited my stories and encouraged me to pursue writing as far as I want to take it. Somehow, he is even okay with the idea of me pursuing a creative writing MFA after college.

What do you love most about writing?

What I love most about writing is the opportunity to play with words and language. I am really interested in finding unexpected combinations for metaphors and other figurative language—for me, this particular challenge is the most fun part of writing.

What advice do you have for new writers?

One of the best things you can do as a writer is to network. Attend festivals, join staff of literary magazines or publishers, and try to meet as many people as you can.

What’s the most important thing you always keep near you when you work?

I am always listening to music while I work, so either headphones or a speaker. I also like to reference specific books that I’m thinking about, so I usually have books on my desk as well.

What’s your vision for Yellow Arrow in 2024?

My vision for Yellow Arrow in 2024 is another year of growth. I hope that we can continue to reach more and more women writers, finding new ways to bring them together and sharing their voices.

*****

Kapua Iao 2/6/24 Kapua Iao 2/6/24

Meet a Staff Member: Raychelle Heath

Yellow Arrow Publishing would like to (re)introduce Raychelle Heath, our workshop programming & curriculum manager. Raychelle has been part of the Yellow Arrow community for quite some time as an author and a guest editor for Yellow Arrow Journal and a workshop instructor. She is a poet, artist, teacher, coach, yoga and meditation instructor, podcaster, and traveler. Raychelle holds a BA in languages and an MFA in poetry. She uses her writing and podcast to tell the multifaceted stories of black women in the world. She also explores her experiences with the culturally rich communities that she has encountered in her travels. She has been published by Travel Noire, Yellow Arrow Journal, The Brazen Collective, Locked Horn Press, Community Building Art Works, and others. She also holds yoga certifications for Kripalu Yoga, Yoga Nidra, and Mind Body Meditation. She is currently director of curriculum and coaching for the Unicorn Authors Club.

Raychelle says, “My experience working with the Yellow Arrow team as a writer, guest editor, and workshop facilitator has been great. This next chapter just feels like a beautiful next step in our ever-growing relationship. I am looking forward to getting to know the team and working toward getting our workshops out there for more people to be able to experience. I am also looking forward to supporting our facilitators to be able to offer the best workshops they can. And lastly, I’m looking forward to expanding the catalogue of workshop offerings so that we can reach even more writers. It’s going to be a great year.”

Tell us a little something about yourself:

I’m excited to be presenting on my first panel at AWP. I am also really jazzed about my garden; I made three sweet potato pies this holiday season from sweet potatoes that I grew.

What do you love most about where you live?

I live in Ocotal, Costa Rica. I love that I am near the beach, that I can walk everywhere I need to go, and all the beautiful hikes near my house.

How did you get involved with Yellow Arrow and what do you do for us? Why did you want to join the Yellow Arrow team?

I initially became involved with Yellow Arrow as a writer. I then submitted a workshop proposal for a restorative writing workshop. The workshop went well, and I’ve taught the series twice now. I’ll be teaching it again in the summer of 2024. I was also asked to guest edit an edition of the journal, and my issue PEREGRINE came out in fall of 2022. This year, Annie [Marhefka, executive director] approached me about how I could be more involved. We had a wonderful conversation, and my passion for workshops is what was most present. I’ll be coming on as workshop programming & curriculum manager [this year]. I am excited to deepen my work with Yellow Arrow because I’ve really enjoyed working with the team so far and I believe in the work they are doing.

What are you working on currently?

My full-time job is with the Unicorn Authors Club, and I’m currently working on a programming revamp with our team, our second coach training, and getting ready to onboard our first bilingual cohort of writers. I’m also gearing up for a new year of meditation workshops that I’ll be guiding (this is my third year) and, hopefully, finishing up my 500-hour yoga certification. I also have a poetry manuscript that I hope to have ready to send out soon.

What genre do you write (or read if you don’t write) the most and why?

I am a poet though I also write my fair share of prose. Poetry speaks to me because of its musicality, the way it creates tapestries, and the play of language that is possible.

What book is on the top of your to-be-read pile?

I’m currently finishing Nervous by one of our unicorn writers, Jen Soriano. And the book I want to pick up is Michael Harriot’s Black AF History.

Who is your favorite writer and why?

I don’t have a favorite writer at the moment though I have always deeply appreciated the works of Pablo Neruda, Toni Morrison, Sonia Sanchez, Nikki Giovanni, and Edwige Danticat. I recently read Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu and am so looking forward to reading more of his work. In general, I love writers who challenge what words can do on the page.

Who has inspired and/or supported you most in your writing journey?

I have been supported and held by so many amazing writing communities. I am grateful to them all.

What do you love most about writing?

I love that writing meets me where I am. It doesn’t have to be perfect or pretty. It doesn’t have to be shared or even last. It can hold my heart and be what I need in the moment.

What advice do you have for new writers?

Read widely. It’s awesome to read writers that you love, but it is just as valuable to read other writers that you may love, may learn from, or may see what you want to avoid. And read for form and structure as well as content. Notice how other writers use words on the page. Also, look for other things you can create. Making informs making. In moments when I have felt blocked on the page, I could go to my garden or prepare a new dish and have something be revealed.

What’s the most important thing you always keep near your computer (or wherever/however you work)?

I always keep a pen and paper. As much as I appreciate how technology has offered amazing tools for writing, there is nothing that compares to pen and paper. I use it to take notes, jot lines, record quotes, draw, etc. I have notebooks and pens in a variety of sizes and colors so I can meet every occasion.

What’s your vision for Yellow Arrow in 2024?

When I think about AMPLIFY, as it pertains to the workshops, I’m really excited about amplifying the amazing offerings that Yellow Arrow has and also amplifying the workshop space to bring in new ideas and new facilitators. There is so much potential for the growth and making a beautiful connection with our ever-expanding community.

*****

Kapua Iao 1/23/24 Kapua Iao 1/23/24

Meet a Staff Member: Jill Earl

Yellow Arrow Publishing would like to introduce editorial associate Jill Earl. Jill is a writer based in Maryland. As a past member of the Maryland Writers Association, she served as a proofreader then later editor of the membership publication Pen in Hand. She was a contributor and newsletter editor for WOW! Women on Writing, an online magazine for women writers. She was published in Pen in Hand, Topology (formerly catapult magazine), WOW! Women on Writing, and on the website Your Tango.

Jill says, “I’m looking forward to getting to know the staff as we work together to help women publish and gain recognition for their writing, enhancing and improving my own writing skills as I get back into writing myself, and continuing to learn about the publishing industry.”

Tell us a little something about yourself:

I’m an avid reader continuing the tradition inherited from my mom of having stacks of books and magazines in the living room and bedroom. I’m a major fan of film and the arts, enjoy traveling, cooking, baking through my massive collection of recipes, learning Spanish, and seeing what develops as I continue to learn photography. I’m also learning about the ins and outs of chinchilla sitting. Not all at the same time, of course.

What do you love most about Baltimore?

I like living in Catonsville, which is right outside of Baltimore City. There’s something about the small town/village feel of the area that’s resonated with me.

How did you get involved with Yellow Arrow and what do you do?

I became involved with Yellow Arrow when I was hired for the editorial associate role.

What are you working on currently?

I [was] working on a Christmas-related latch hook rug. Pretty sure it won’t be finished in time.

What genre do you write (or read) the most and why?

I’m noticing it’s a tie between nonfiction and cookbooks. With nonfiction, there have been so many book releases in the last several years regarding historical events and authors that I want to learn about. As for cookbooks, I love learning about different cuisines, culinary traditions, and techniques and the reimagining of them all. On top of that, I love to study the images in those books because I’m interested in food photography. Finally, making recipes helps hone my skills, as well as keep me fed.

What book is on the top of your to-be-read pile?

Right now, it’s Susan Cain’s Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole. I’ve followed her since she released Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking a number of years ago. Her extensive research on introversion continues to help me understand how I see and interact with society as an introvert and how embracing sorrow and longing can be healing.

Who is your favorite writer and why?

I’d have to say Kathleen Norris. She’s a poet and memoirist based in Hawai’i but much of her work is about her life in South Dakota. My favorite book of hers is The Cloister Walk, which recounts her two extended residencies at a Benedictine abbey in Minnesota. It was fascinating that I found her experiences, which could be considered outdated by today’s standards, relevant. I was even inspired to do a weekend retreat at a local convent, which I enjoyed a lot.

Who has inspired and/or supported you most in your writing journey?

My first inspiration was my mother who nurtured me for as long as I can remember. She saw that I had a vivid imagination and encouraged me to use it. Our library held numerous books in a range of topics and genres, and I spent hours learning and writing about various topics, authors, and genres. She always supported me, cheering me on as I competed in my first writing contest as a child and that continued into adulthood as I took on a number of writing roles as an adult.

What do you love most about writing?

Being able to lose myself in the process of using thoughts, ideas and imagination to create characters, scenarios and alternate worlds for fiction; or presenting facts, perspective and lived experience for nonfiction. I also appreciate that now writers can veer off to create work that doesn’t fall under established genres.

What advice do you have for new writers?

Regardless of age, we live in a world where there’s a plethora of resources available to explore. Read about that author or genre you’re curious about. Practice your writing. Take that class or workshop. Go to that conference. Have coffee or a meal with that author you’ve been following if you can—not in a stalkerish way, because who wants that? Enter that competition. Then rinse and repeat because it’s a never-ending process.

*****

Kapua Iao 11/28/23 Kapua Iao 11/28/23

Gratitude is a Divine Emotion: Yellow Arrow Interns

By Kapua Iao

“Gratitude is a divine emotion: it fills the heart, but not to bursting; it warms it, but not to fever.”

from Shirley by Charlotte Brontë

As Editor-in-Chief, it would be impossible to organize, create, and publish without the incredible help of our volunteer staff and interns. They provide the thought process behind each journal by picking each issue’s theme and reading/voting on each submitted piece. They then read through the chosen submissions and edit them carefully and thoughtfully, not to change the voice of the author but to ensure that the voice flourishes. They provide continuous feedback and proofread the final product before release. And the same goes for our published chapbooks; the process of forming something for publication is thoughtfully long but fulfilling, nonetheless.

We try to find each volunteer, each intern, space in our organization to grow and flourish in the area they are most interested in (and of course where we need the most help!). Past staff members have worked at our live events and at Yellow Arrow House. They hand bound our publications and put as much love and tenderness into each copy as we could hope. Now that we are a mostly virtual publishing company, they focus on copyediting and proofreading as well as writing blogs and press releases. They create promotional material and images for our authors and create marketing campaigns. They help at live and virtual events and readings. And above all else, they support. Not only me but our authors as well. I am so thankful to have had them with me on this journey.

So let’s introduce the fall 2023 interns. Each has my appreciation.

Adhithi Anjali

From California
*What do you do*? I primarily work on developing and executing our social media fundraiser: Blazing the Path Forward. Working with Yellow Arrow’s other fall interns, we figured out a concept, contacted authors, and created posts to go out during November with the hopes of attracting more donors and followers to Yellow Arrow. I also research and contact potential donors and look into various arts grants that Yellow Arrow can apply for in the coming year. Aside from these financial tasks, I draft various graphics for upcoming publications and provide some additional copyediting help.
*Where do you go to school*? I am currently studying at the University of California, Davis, and I am expected to graduate by June 2025.
*What are you currently working on*? I am developing an independent study in medieval Telugu literature with one of my professors. Also, I am working as the undergraduate assistant to the Medieval and Early Modern Studies program at my university.

Adhithi Anjali is a third-year student at the University of California, Davis, majoring in English and comparative literature. She is inspired by nearly everything she reads to channel her own creativity through the pen. In the future, she hopes to continue working with literature and other writers to help them bring their creativity to light.

Why did you choose an internship with Yellow Arrow?

Yellow Arrow stood out to me because of its clear mission and how it understands the benefits of a small press. I think Yellow Arrow attempts to fill in the gaps that larger publishing houses do not care about, or at least provide meaningful attention to. But Yellow Arrow helps to allocate resources to a smaller community of writers and artists who do not want to publish extensive novels. Yellow Arrow helps women who choose to write alongside their current responsibilities, allowing a space for shorter, but intensely meaningful, publications.

Samantha Pomerantz

Currently lives in Elon, North Carolina (for school), but from Germantown, Maryland
*What do you do*? I work with Kapua Iao, Yellow Arrow’s Editor-in-Chief. I am also working with the other fall 2023 interns, Adhithi [Anjali] and Beverly [Yirenkyi]. My role has involved copyediting for *Yellow Arrow Journal* **EMBLAZON**, creating the Her View Friday and .W.o.W. posts, and running the October National Book Month/Diversity Awareness Month campaign. I am also working with the other interns on a fundraising project.
*Where do you go to school*? I am a senior at Elon University. I will graduate in the spring of 2024.
*What are you currently working on*? I am working toward my bachelor of arts degree in English in creative writing. For this, I am working on a portfolio of creative work. When I am not in class, work, or interning, I am likely in the ceramics studio, learning how to turn claybody into vases, plates, mugs, and boxes.

Samantha Pomerantz (she/her) is a writer and a student at Elon University, class of 2024. She is working on a degree in English with a concentration in creative writing, while minoring in psychology and women, gender, sexuality studies. Samantha is an award winning poet, and a lover of stories. She spends the nonacademic part of the year in Germantown, Maryland, usually hanging out with trees. She is grateful for the opportunity to intern with Yellow Arrow.

At this point, her future plans remain to be seen. She would like to find something where she can engage with and uplift stories in the world and add healing value. Samantha plans to move to the west coast and figure out how to live life without the identity anchor of being a student for the first time ever.

Why did you choose to do an internship with Yellow Arrow?

I was struck by Yellow Arrow’s commitment to putting writers first and celebrating diverse writers who identify as women. I wanted to be part of an independent organization that is working to share and celebrate the stories that have been historically underrepresented. I resonate deeply with Yellow Arrow’s tagline, “Every writer has a story to tell and every story is worth telling.”

Beverly Yirenkyi

From Maryland

*What do you do*? Create monthly Yellow Arrow newsletter content, support with workshop administration as needed, create social media graphics in Canva for events and publications, write social media captions and plan/schedule posts, and create events for our website calendar on Squarespace and Facebook.
*Where do you go to school*? Towson University, class of 2023.
*What are you currently working on*? I have two other jobs: one at Towson University’s Writing Center and the other as a Resident Services Coordinator at an apartment building. I am currently working on graduate school applications.

Beverly Yirenkyi is a current honors undergraduate student at Towson University, majoring in philosophy. She is from the D.C. metro area. Beverly is planning to continue her education with a JD/PhD in philosophy in the fall of 2024. She has loved reading and writing since she was in sixth grade and hopes to help marginalized voices be amplified in this field. You can find her on LinkedIn @beverlyyirenkyi.

Beverly hopes to be enrolled in the JD/PhD in the philosophy program next fall. In the meantime, she will be hopefully working full-time remotely and traveling to increase her conversational fluency in Spanish, Twi, French, and Japanese.

Why did you choose to do an internship with Yellow Arrow?

I wanted to dip my toes in the publishing world.

*****

Yellow Arrow Publishing is a nonprofit supporting women writers through publication and access to the literary arts. You can support us as we SPARK and sparkle this year: purchase one of our publications from the Yellow Arrow bookstore, join our newsletter, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter or subscribe to our YouTube channel. Donations are appreciated via PayPal (staff@yellowarrowpublishing.com), Venmo (@yellowarrowpublishing), or US mail (PO Box 65185, Baltimore, Maryland 21209). More than anything, messages of support through any one of our channels are greatly appreciated.

Kapua Iao 9/19/23 Kapua Iao 9/19/23

Meet a Staff Member: Kait Quinn

Yellow Arrow Publishing would like to introduce editorial associate Kait Quinn (she/her). Kait is a poet and professional shower singer born and raised in Texas. She earned her BA in English writing from St. Edward’s University. She is the author of four poetry collections, and her work has appeared in Reed Magazine, Watershed Review, Olney Magazine, Chestnut Review, and elsewhere. She received first place in the League of MN Poets’ 2022 John Calvin Rezmerski Memorial Grand Prize and honorable mention in the 2023 Stephen A. DiBiase Poetry Prize. She enjoys repetition, coffee shops, tattoos, and vegan breakfast foods. Kait currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her partner, their regal cat (Spart), and their very polite Aussie mix (Jesse). Find her at kaitquinn.com and on Instagram @kaitquinnpoetry.

Kait says, “As a reader first and a writer second, I’m excited for the opportunity to read submissions to Yellow Arrow Journal. It’s always fun to read other writers’ creations, especially for themed open calls that every writer interprets in a different way. I’m also looking forward to practicing and growing my copyediting and proofreading skills in a professional environment. I love immersing myself in the details and while I have experience proofreading legal documents and web content, I haven’t had much opportunity to proofread creative writing beyond my own work.”

Tell us a little something about yourself.

I’m a Texas-born poet currently living in Minneapolis. I’ve self-published four poetry collections, including a book in which all the poems were inspired by Taylor Swift’s folklore album. Yes, there is a manuscript inspired by evermore in the works. I love October, mermaids, marine life, tattoos, and oat milk lattes.

What do you love most about where you live?

Growing up in two-season southeast Texas, I love experiencing four seasons in Minneapolis, especially fall. There are also so many parks and lakes in and around the Twin Cities—so much nature to explore! There’s a creek with walking/bike trails just a block away from my house, and sometimes I forget that I’m in the middle of a city.

How did you get involved with Yellow Arrow and what do you do?

I first came across Yellow Arrow when I was looking for poetry classes. I was surprised to find out that Yellow Arrow is both a press and a resource for women-identifying writers AND publishes print and online journals. I love sharing resources and what I’ve learned about writing, self-publishing, and submitting to journals with other writers, and it’s cool to see a press that’s kind of doing it all. As an editorial associate, I’ll be reading submissions for Yellow Arrow Journal as well as copyediting/proofreading for publication.

What are you working on currently?

I’m currently working with an editor on a poetry manuscript inspired by the television series Twin Peaks. I’m also gathering potential poems for my next full-length collection, which will feature mostly narrative poems I’ve written over the past two years.

I’m also learning Spanish! My goal is to eventually translate poems and other written work from English to Spanish and vice versa

What genre do you write (or read) the most and why?

I mostly write poetry because I love to write lyrically and play with words/sounds. Poetry also allows for a unique blend of creative freedom and restraint, and it’s fun to push the boundary between those two qualities.

My favorite genres to read are poetry and memoir, especially memoirs that read a little like poetic prose. I’m fascinated by other people’s experiences and love the connection between reader and writer that poetry and memoir foster. I’ve also been really into young adult fantasy lately.

What book is on the top of your to-be-read pile?

My friend Emily Perkovich is a brilliant and creative poet, and she has two books coming out later this year that I’m excited to read. One is a chapbook of poems on the traumas that cause eating disorders and body dysmorphia and their effects. The cover, which Emily designed herself, is a Barbie doll with replicas of her tattoos. Her creativity never ceases to amaze me!

Who is your favorite writer and why?

Mary Karr. I love how painfully honest her memoirs are and how her poet voice often slithers into them. She uses such visceral, vivid imagery (usually reserved for poetry) in her prose that really brings you into her memories and experiences in a way that makes you feel both her aches and joys as if they’re your own. She also writes the kind of lines that tattoo themselves to your brain. One such line from her memoir Lit still sticks with me: “It’s seven-thirty a.m., and I can feel the corpse tint of my face: Frankenstein-monster green.”

Who has inspired and/or supported you most in your writing journey?

My partner, Carlos, is my biggest supporter. He even formatted my first self-published book and helped me learn the software to format the next three on my own.

My wonderful friend and fellow poet Amy Kay has inspired and supported me in so many ways, I can never quite thank her enough. I first met her via Instagram during National Poetry Writing Month in 2019. She had the most inspiring prompts—not just words or phrases but in-depth prompts, many of which were inspired by poems. That month, I wrote in styles and on topics I never thought I would. I had so much fun growing as a writer that month, I ended up writing a poem a day for a year. She still regularly shares prompts via Instagram and her Patreon, and they continue to inspire. I absolutely would not be the poet I am today without her challenging me with prompts I’m always so sure I can’t respond to until I do.

What do you love most about writing?

I have so much fun playing with sounds and words, making up words, and finding fresh ways to write about the same experience/emotion/image.

What advice do you have for new writers?

Write a poem or freewrite for 10–15 minutes every day for a set number of days. This could be seven days, 30 days, 90 days, or a whole year. The biggest thing I learned from challenging myself to write a poem a day for a year is that there’s no such thing as writer’s block. What feels like writer’s block is often just self-censorship or our good ol’ friend perfectionism. Other things I learned: I don’t HAVE to write a poem every day, but I CAN write a poem every day; I can write a poem about anything; there’s no such thing as a perfect first draft and most of my creativity comes during the editing process.

What’s your vision for Yellow Arrow in 2023?

Coincidentally, the word of the year in my household is “action,” which relates a lot to Yellow Arrow’s 2023 value SPARK. We’ve taken time to rest, recover, toss around ideas. Now it’s time to take flint to steel and watch those ideas grow into flame. I envision a similar expansion for Yellow Arrow: more resources for writers, the sense of community sparked by in-person events, and feeding wood and oxygen to Yellow Arrow Vignette.

*****

Kait, we are so excited to continue to work with you this year. Yellow Arrow Publishing is a nonprofit supporting women writers through publication and access to the literary arts. You can support us as we SPARK and sparkle this year: purchase one of our publications from the Yellow Arrow bookstore, join our newsletter, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter or subscribe to our YouTube channel. Donations are appreciated via PayPal (staff@yellowarrowpublishing.com), Venmo (@yellowarrowpublishing), or US mail (PO Box 65185, Baltimore, Maryland 21209). More than anything, messages of support through any one of our channels are greatly appreciated.

Alexa Lesniak

Program Management Intern

Elizabeth Ottenritter

Publications Intern

Caroline Kunz

Publications Intern

From Rochester, New York

Where do you go to school? I am a rising senior at Loyola University Maryland studying English with a minor in writing. I will graduate in May of 2025.

Sophia Lama

Program Management Intern

From Scotch Plains, New Jersey

Where do you go to school? In the fall I will begin my senior year at the University of Maryland in College Park, and will be graduating in May of 2025. I have been pursuing a degree in English.

Amaya Lambert

Program Management Intern

From Baltimore, Maryland

What do you do? I am an intern for program management alongside the executive director, Annie Marhefka. I assist in the management and assessment of Yellow Arrow’s programs, including social media content, workshops, and events.

Where do you go to school? I go to school at Towson University. I am a senior and will be graduating May 23th.

Mel Silberger

Publications Intern

Currently in Baltimore, Maryland, for school, but from Long Island, New York

Where do you go to school? I am currently a senior at Loyola University Maryland, and I will be graduating in May of this year!

What are you currently working on? I am currently working toward receiving a bachelor of arts in psychology and writing. I also have two jobs at Loyola University, one as a residence hall desk assistant and the other as a rock wall attendant.

Adhithi Anjali

From California

Where do you go to school? I am currently studying at the University of California, Davis, and I am expected to graduate by June 2025.

What are you currently working on? I am developing an independent study in medieval Telugu literature with one of my professors. Also, I am working as the undergraduate assistant to the Medieval and Early Modern Studies program at my university.

Samantha Pomerantz

Currently lives in Elon, North Carolina (for school), but from Germantown, Maryland

Where do you go to school? I am a senior at Elon University. I will graduate in the spring of 2024.

Beverly Yirenkyi

From Maryland

Where do you go to school? Towson University, class of 2023.

What are you currently working on? I have two other jobs: one at Towson University’s Writing Center and the other as a Resident Services Coordinator at an apartment building. I am currently working on graduate school applications.

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