JOAN LEOTTA: "RED HAWK"

Joan Leotta has been playing with words by writing and performing since childhood Joan recently completed a month as a Tupelo Press' 30/30 poet and has work  the Spring in Knox Literary Magazine, Eastern Iowa Review and forthcoming in Silver Birch Review. In addition to work as journalist, short story writer, author, poet and essayist, Joan performs folklore and "women-in history" stage shows. She often walks the beach in Calabash , NC with husband Joe. Her four books of historical fiction (Legacy of Honor series) are available from Desert Breeze Publishing and on Amazon along with her newly released collection of short stories, Simply a Smile. Her first picture book, Whoosh! (about a father and young daughter's day out sledding) can be pre-ordered from TheaQ and will be released August 2015.

Find her at www.joanleotta.wordpress.com and on FACEBOOK

HAMEETA KAUR MALHOTRA: "CONFINED PARAKEET", "LONESOME TREE", 'AND A POET WAS BORN"

 

Hameeta Kaur Malhotra is a student of M.A. English at Panjab University campus, Chandigarh, India

 

DIKE OKORO: "CONFIRMATION", "DON'T FORGET", "LAGOS, NIGHT"

Dike Okoro, a poet and short story writer, teaches at Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon. He was a finalist the Iliad Poetry Award and a recipient of a Sam Walton Fellowship. His poetry, stories, and nonfiction have appeared in Witness Magazine, World Literature Today, Yellow Medicine Review, The Caribbean Writer, Reverie and elsewhere. He is the author of the poetry volume, Dance of the Heart. He received his PhD in English from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. 

SCOTT THOMAS OUTLAR: "RUSH HOUR", "YAWNING STARS", "FILL IN THE BLANKS"

 Scott Thomas Outlar survived the chaos of both the fire and the flood...barely. Now he spends the hours flowing and fluxing with the ever changing tide of the Tao River while laughing at and/or weeping over life's existential nature. His words have appeared recently in venues such as Yellow Chair Review, Dissident Voice, Poems-for-All, Tuck Magazine, and Clockwise Cat. Links to his published material can be found at 17numa.wordpress.com.

SUNIL KUMAR POUDYAL: "EARTHQUAKE"

 Sunil Kumar Poudyal is a poet, writer and journalist from Nepal (Country of Mt. Everest-South Asia). His poem, Earthquake, was written under stress while the quakes were still happening in Nepal.

CECILIA SOPRANO: "OLD STRUCTURES", "ON THE MOUNTAIN"

Cecilia Soprano lives in Westchester County and makes her living as an organic gardener and artist.   Her poems and artwork have been published in La Joie magazine and UC at Santa Barbara among others.  Her artwork is often featured on the covers of Inner Directions magazine. 

She is a member of the Greenwich Art Society and the Katonah Museum Art Association.  She has published three small books and has had several one woman art exhibits.  Her love of nature and gardening provides the space for uninterrupted inspiration.  Her intention is to make images and words that describe beauty and uplift the human spirit.   My art is about making the simple sacred and the ordinary extra-ordinary.

"The reason why we exist is to remember why we exist and to realize our interconnectedness with all things."    WEBSITE:  www.Amichiart.com or CeciliaSoprano.com

JEFFREY Z ROTHSTEIN: VISUAL ART "CORNFIELD" AND "ENCHANTED KINGDOM"

Jeffrey Z Rothstein is a free lance writer and artist, whose work has appeared most recently in Fallen City Writers Anthology, Red Fez, Mud Season Review, Kitchen Sink and The Newer York Press. He has also appeared in numerous shows and live readings.  JZRothstein presently lives just outside of Madison Wisconsin, a town which is extremely tolerant towards artists and their eccentric work habits. Visit PhlegmTurtlePalace

FAITH BRITT: "SECRETS OF A MOREL HUNTER"

Although I am a graphic designer, I live for the outdoors. Besides writing and designing, some of my greatest pleasures include hunting for mushrooms and spending summer afternoons in my family's backyard swimming pool. I recently finished my education at Clarke University and am eager to enter the workforce!

JENISE ERICKSON: "GETTING WET WITH BIRDERS" ESSAY AND PHOTOGRAPHY

Jenise Erikson is a Louisiana native, but currently lives in the mountains of Arkansas. She has an M.A. in English and a B.A. in Criminal Justice and worked in the construction industry for many years as well as being reared in a cabinet shop. She likes being outdoors whether hiking, mountain biking, painting or writing.
We live in a grand world and can’t experience it all personally, but we can learn from one another. That’s the beauty of words. Please visit her website at: Mama's Madness

RAYMOND GREINER: "A PLACE TO LOVE"

Raymond Greiner's writings include short stories and essays published frequently in various literary journals and magazines:  Branches magazine, La Joie Journal, Literary Yard Journal, Nib Magazine, Canary Literary Journal, Bellesprit Magazine, Freedom Journal, Grace Notes Literary Magazine. His latest book, a collection of fiction, nonfiction, and two novella's titled Hinterland Narrative is available on Amazon. Raymond lives in a remote area of southern Indiana in a cabin far off a lightly traveled road with his two dogs Orion and Venus. He is a frequent contributor to Indiana Voice Journal.

 

K.R. RIORDAN: "WHERE IS THE THICKET? WHERE IS THE EAGLE?"

I am currently a student at Seattle University, diligently working towards my Bachelor of Arts in English Literature & Creative Writing.  My works have appeared in the Percival Review, a literary journal out of Olympia, Washington. 

My goal in life is to transfer the passion of literature and writing which I possess onto younger generations. 

TIMOTHY A. CLEMENTS: "PETTY IS DEAD"

Timothy A. Clements holds an MFA in writing from Lindenwood University and lives nearby in St. Charles, MO with his wife and two children. 

JEFF FLEISCHER: "DOVE"

Jeff Fleischer is a Chicago-based author, journalist and editor. His fiction is most recently published in the Chicago Tribune's Printers Row literary journal and Steam Ticket Third Coast Review. He is also the author of non-fiction books including "The Latest Craze: A Short History of Mass Hysterias" (Fall River Press, 2011), "Rockin' the Boat: 50 Iconic Revolutionaries" (Zest Books, 2015), and a civics book coming in spring 2016. He is a veteran journalist published in Mother Jones, the New Republic, the Sydney Morning Herald, the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Mental_Floss, National Geographic Traveler and dozens of other local, national and international publications.

Website: www.JeffFleischer.com (blog is www.JeffFleischer.com/blog)
Twitter:@jefffleischer
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Jeff-Fleischer/e/B00PIXRK52/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

BELINDA HUBERT: "WONDER"

In addition to writing fiction and poetry, Belinda Hubert is currently working on a novel, titled Shrink Wrapped and a collection of short stories about life in the Midwest. She works as a clinical psychologist in a private practice in Lowell, Indiana.

 http://buelasprairiepractice.blogspot.com/

JOSHUA STEELE: "THE CLEARING"

Father. Husband. Writer. 

https://www.facebook.com/jsteele1

"A TRIBUTE TO CECIL THE LION" BY ANNA MARIE

REST IN PEACE, CECIL

His mane blew back in gold majestic blends
His face running  through deep African winds
Champion among wilds, swift King among beasts
A dirty man's snare, he was taken from his peace

INDIANA VOICE JOURNAL JULY 2015 ISSUE #12

"Detroit" Photo courtesy of David J. Thompson

The stories, poems, and visual art in this issue of IVJ are diverse, important and powerful.  In Disappearing Search, a poem by Deonte Osayande, we learn what it's like to grow up in a community where black girls go missing without so much as a nod from the rest of the world. Allison Whittenberg tackles the tough issues of rape, pregnancy, and "choice" in Ride The Peter Pan. Nicole Murphy Bagwell's poem, From Mouths to Hands, shows us the horrifying results of intolerance and bullying, which often lead to teen suicide among the LGBT community.

All the works in this issue bear witness to a greater beauty, a greater truth which lives in the world. In us. We are all connected. Not by race or environment, not by works or social class, not by religion or politics, but by our common human experiences. By the passion, love, and compassion written in our spirits which gives rise to hope, and voice to unity.

Wishing you all a happy, safe Independance Day this month.  And a happy one-year anniversary to Indiana Voice Journal! ~Janine Pickett, editor

IN THIS ISSUE:

 VISUAL ART

"Detroit" by David J. Thompson


POETRY

Poetry By Nicole Murphy Bagwell: "From Mouths To Hands"
 
Three Poems By Darren C. Demaree: "Nude Male With Echo #61", "Nude Male With Echo #62", "Nude Male With Echo #63"
  
Poetry By Woodrow Hightower: "Twin Revolutions"

Three Poems By Andrew Hubbard: "Big John's Liquors", "Joy Starke", "The Veteran"

Two Poems By Dan Jacoby: "Wisdom of Solomon", "On Returning To St. Louis"
 
Three Poems By Peycho Kanev: "Against", "An Odd Occurrence", "Calculations" 
 
Three Poems By Donal Mahoney: "After Burying A Wife", "There's a Cliff Ahead", "Nearing the Finish Line"

Six Poems By Milt Montague: "A Grandfathers Reverie", "Eitan My Love", "Maya", "Michaela My Heart", " My Grands", "Parting"

Three Poems By Deonte Osayande: "Twisted Origins", "Raven",  "Disappearing Search"

Three Poems By Arthur Powers:  "1903", "Tax Day",  "From Starks to Mount Carroll"
 
Three Poems By Cindy Rinne:  "Womb-Door I,II,III," "Memory Pockets,"  "Curls Dyed Gray"

Three Poems By Scott Sherman: "They Used to Talk About Burning Cities," " Riding Into Sunsets," " #85"
 
Two Poems And Visual Art By Cecilia Soprano: "Bokie",  "The Buddha's Garden"



NONFICTION

Flash Essay By G David Schwartz:  "July Shards: Darkness Is Not Only For Night, Its Also For A Drink"
 
CNF By Tom Sheehan: "I Now Burn Pellets In My Stove"



FLASH/FICTION

Fiction By DB Cox: "Paint It Black"
 
Flash Fiction By Mitchell Grabois:  "Beautiful Suit"

Fiction By Raymond Greiner: "The Blues"

Flash Fiction By CN Hueston: "They Called Her Detroit"
 
Fiction By Adam Matson: "The Witch Of Malibu"
 
Fiction By Matt McGowan: "Saint John's"
 
Fiction By Alan Semrow: "Hard Chairs"
 
Flash Fiction By Phil Temples: "Cat Nipped"

Fiction By Allison Whittenberg: "Ride the Peter Pan"

Photography By David J. Thompson: "Detroit"

David J. Thompson's photos have appeared in a number of journals both in print and on-line. He lived in Detroit from 1997 until last October. He has been traveling since then.

Please visit his website at ninemilephoto.com.

Poetry By Nicole Murphy Bagwell: "From Mouths To Hands"

Nicole Murphy Bagwell is from Chicago, Illinois, but she has been an Arizona resident for the past six years. She's a lover of cats and a new found poet. She enjoys writing about the LGBT community, and her goal is to bring awareness to teen suicide. She is also a devoted Chicago Blackhawks fan, and even has a tattoo to represent her love for the team. You can follow her on twitter: @AdditkedRiot 

Three Poems By Darren C. Demaree: "Nude Male With Echo #61", "Nude Male With Echo #62", "Nude Male With Echo #63"

Darren's poems have appeared, or are scheduled to appear in numerous magazines/journals, including the South Dakota Review, Meridian, The Louisville Review, Grist, and the Colorado Review. 

He is the author of "As We Refer To Our Bodies" (2013, 8th House), "Temporary Champions" (2014, Main Street Rag), and "Not For Art Nor Prayer" (2015, 8th House).  He is the Managing Editor of the Best of the Net Anthology. Darren is currently living and writing in Columbus, Ohio with his wife and children.

www.darrencdemaree.com