Sarah E. Morin has three great passions in life: God, books, and working with young people. She serves as a kidwrangler at Conner Prairie History Museum in Fishers, Indiana. She writes and performs unruly fairy tales and poems. Her first Christian fantasy novel, Waking Beauty, was published in April 2015. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a state officer of Poetry Society of Indiana. When she grows up she wants to be a child prodigy. Visit her at sarahemorin.com.
April 4, 2017
Three Poems by Anwer Ghani:" "Rainy Tears," "Rainy Moments," and "Rainy Wishes"
Anwer Ghani is an Iraqi poet and writer. He was born in 1973 in Alhilla city. His writing has appeared in Adelaide, Peacock, Otoliths, Algebra of Owls, and others literary journals. He is also featured in the Inner Child Press anthology "The Year Of The Poet" by William Peters. Anwer Ghani is the founder of "Expressive Narrative’s Group" and the chief editor of "Arcs" an expressive narrative’s magazine. He had, in Arabic, forty books in poetry, literature, and religious sciences. His books are available at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Anwer-Ghani/e/B06XK5BJBR. Here is his website; Anwer Ghan Writing .
Three Poems by Denny E. Marshall: "Haiku (No Title)," "Transformer," and "Lost on a Line"
Denny E. Marshall has had art, poetry, and fiction published in various journals. Most recently, he has had poetry published in Bewildering Stories #696. His website is at www.dennymarshall.com
Three Poems by Dan Jacoby: "city of new orleans, illinois central," "landscape," and "obligations"
Dan Jacoby is a former principal, teacher, coach, and counterintelligence agent. He is a graduate of St. Louis University, Chicago State University, and Governors State University and lives in Beecher and Hagaman, Illinois. He has published poetry in Anchor and Plume (Kindred), Arkansas Review, Belle Rev Review, Bombay Gin, Burningword Literary Review, and Indiana Voice Journal, to name a few. He He is a member of the American Academy of Poets and the Carlinville Writers Guild and was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2015. He is currently looking for a publisher for a collection of poetry.
Two Poems by Carter McClure: "Nowadays,,,." and "i hope you LIKE this"
Carter McClure is a senior Elementary Education Major at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He says he has lived in Muncie for 22 years, and people make fun of him when he tells them he has no desire to leave. More of his poems can be found at: https://mehthodology.wordpress.com/.
Two CNF/Essays and Featured Visual Art by Toni Cogdell
Toni Cogdell lives and works in Bristol, UK, from her woodland studio. Exhibiting her paintings across the UK for many years, she has honed her process and technique to give voice to her expression, a personal style seeking to connect with the world around her. She loves to write as part of her expression and her written pieces like to exist nearby her paintings, gently trailing from their coat-tails.
In walking the space between figuration and abstraction Toni finds a freedom which allows her to go deeper into the intangible substance of the psyche and human condition without restricting or enforcing definitive ideas. Pulling recognisable truths into the work while giving reign to the unknown and ensuing contradiction to hold its own space, her paintings are looking for a balance, a kind of peace. In every journey travelled there is darkness as well as light, with more questions than answers. And these are the places Toni looks to find beauty.
CNF/Essay/Visual Art by Eric Hill: "A Matter of Time"
Telling a story is my priority no matter what the Medium or Style … A Seduction of Color, Composition, Light/ Shadow revealing a sensation of being.
I draw images from the unconscious by spontaneous action over a ‘Section de Or’ grid, then apply Elements of Abstract, Cubism, Symbolism, Expressionism, to heighten the sensation / meaning. I want to leave the Viewer with an insight into the Interior Worlds, like an inward looking Mirror.
CNF/Essay By John Spiegel: "The Life of the Homebodied Tigershark"
John Spiegel is an English teacher in Springfield, Ohio. He wears one pair of shoes and had a flip phone until last year because it just worked, dang it. His poetry and nonfiction can be read or is forthcoming in Birds Piled Loosely, Vine Leaves, Garbanzo, Indiana Voice Journal, and others.
CNF/Essay by Rekha Valliappan: "Orange Mystique"
Rekha Valliappan blogs, writes and lives in New York. She has taught college level English Literature and 'A' Levels Law. Much of her time is spent in community service. She now devotes her time to her first love - fiction-writing. Recently she was adjudged the 2nd Prize winner in the Annual Short Story Contest held by Boston Accent Lit. She was born and raised in Bombay and looks to Asia for inspiration. https://www.silicasun.wordpress.com
CNF/Essay by Lois Greene Stone: "Diapered Doll"
Lois Greene Stone, writer and poet, has been syndicated worldwide. Poetry and personal essays have been included in hard & softcover book anthologies. Collections of her personal items/ photos/ memorabilia are in major museums including twelve different divisions of The Smithsonian.
CNF/Essay by Lou Graves: "If Only We Could Talk Like Pianos"
Lou Graves is a writer, literary and music critic, and contributing author to Narrow Magazine. Recent work has appeared in Flash Fiction, Fishfood, Out Of Our, The Write Room, Foliate Oak, A.C. PAPA, Florida Speaks, and others. http://lou-graves.tumblr.com/
Fiction by Adam Matson: "Euxent"
Adam Matson's fiction has appeared internationally in over twenty magazines including The Indiana Voice Journal, Straylight, Soundings East, The Bryant Literary Review, The Berkeley Fiction Review, Morpheus Tales, Infernal Ink Magazine, and Crack the Spine. He is the author of a collection of short stories, Sometimes Things Go Horribly Wrong (Outskirts Press).
Fiction by Zoe Reger: "From the Desert"
Zoe Reger is an emerging fiction writer from Maryland. She majored in Philosophy at the University of Maryland and served on the editing board of Stylus literary magazine.
Flash Fiction by Ethan Danner: “The Secrets of the Stag”
Ethan Danner is a resident of South-East Arkansas where he is an English student at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Danner's short stories reflect the southern world and people around him. He explores the minds of the southerners young and old on issues big and small. Ethan has a love for beautiful prose and it shows through in his writing, especially when writing about nature in all its small intricacies.
Fiction by Raymond Greiner: "Peace Pilgrims"
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, "Queenie; a novella" 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.
Fiction by Charles E.J. Moulton: "Where Hearts Never Die"
CHARLES E.J. MOULTON has been a stage performer since age eleven. His trilingual, artistic upbringing, as the son of Gun Kronzell and Herbert Moulton, lead to a hundred stage productions, countless cross-over concerts, work as a bandleader and as an acting teacher. He is a regular contributor for Idea Gems, has written for Shadows Express, Cover of Darkness, Vocal Images and Pill Hill Press. He is a tourguide, a big-band-vocalist, a filmmaker, a painter, a voice-over-speaker, a translator, is married and has a daughter. Charles E.J. Moulton's passion is creative versatility. His short story collection, Aphrodite's Curse: 21 Tales of Love and Terror can be purchased by clicking the link. Homepages:http://www.reverbnation.com/charlesejmoulton/ and http://moultoniancreativity.weebly.com
Highlight: Books by IVJ Authors
This month, we are featuring a few books written by authors published in IVJ. We've also opened an amazon bookstore page where you can purchase these books, and many more, written by our authors. If you have published content in Indiana Voice Journal, and you have a new book out and would like it listed in our bookstore, please let me know and I will add your book to our Bookstore page.
March 5, 2017
March 2017, Women's Issue #32
Powerful, historic, wacky, and wonderful...Welcome to the March 2017 edition of Indiana Voice Journal authored entirely by women!
International Women's Day is annually held on March 8 to celebrate women's achievements throughout history, and across nations. It is also known as the United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace. The 53 stories, poems, visual art, and essays in this issue are the best of the best! I hope you enjoy, read, share, and comment on our featured posts. A heartfelt thanks to art editor, Jennifer Criss, and poetry editor, David Allen for all their help with this huge edition! ~Janine Pickett
~Featured Authors~
Poetry
Visual Art
Fiction
Creative Nonfiction/Essay
Three Poems by Marianne Szlyk: "Shattered, Callie Drives Through Nevada," "The Poet of Spotsylvania," and "Home from the Oncologist"
Marianne Szlyk is the editor of "The Song Is...," associate poetry editor at "Potomac Review," and a professor of English at Montgomery College. Her second chapbook, I Dream of Empathy, was published by Flutter Press. Her first chapbook, Listening to Electric Cambodia, Looking up at Trees of Heaven, is available through Kind of a Hurricane Press: http://barometricpressures.blogspot.com/2014/10/listening-to-electric-cambodia-looking.html . Her poems have appeared in a variety of online and print venues.Two of her poems received nominations for Bet of the Net and a Pushcart Prize. Recently she was artist in residence at The Wild Word: http://thewildword.com/artist-in-residence-marianne-szlyk/ . He blog is at http://thesongis.blogspot.com/
Three Poems by Bonita Cox Searle: "The Eclipse of July 11, 1991," " Passion Prosaic," and "Sweet and Sour Sonnet"
Bonita Cox Searle is a Hoosier native who strayed outside the border to the UK for a brief five years and returned with a slightly bewildered husband and a toddler with a British accent. She lives in Noblesville, Indiana, where she writes whenever she can’t bear not to. Her poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction has been published by Flying Island and the Polk Street Review.
Three Poems by Blanca Alicia Garza: "Inamorata," "Love from Afar," and "Hold my Hand"
Blanca Alicia Garza is from Las Vegas, Nevada. She is a nature and animal lover, and enjoys spending time writing. Some of her poems have been published in the Poetry Anthology, "Moonlight Dreamers of Yellow Haze," now available at Amazon.com. Blanca's published work can be viewed at The Poet Community, Whispers in the Wind Blog, The Winamop Journal, Indiana Voice Journal, Tuck Magazine, Scarlet Leaf Review, as well as Birdsong Anthology 2016, Vol 1.
Four Poems by Laurie Kuntz: "Debussy at Dusk," "Hands," "A Basket Set on the Shore," and "Starfish and Suns"
Laurie Kuntz is an award-winning poet and film producer. She taught poetry in Japan, Thailand, and the Philippines. Currently, she is helping produce a documentary, Strangers to Peace, about the current Colombian peace process (www.strangerstopeace.com). Recently retired, she lives in an endless summer state of mind and drinks milk shakes and eats cake whenever possible.
Three Poems by Anoucheka Gangabissoon: "I Saw Me, Did You?" "My Choice," and "The Contrasting Color"
Anoucheka Gangabissoon is from Mauritius, where she is a primary school educator. She says she “writes and publish as hobby and passion.” She has published a collection of poems titled “Awakened Fancies,: and has a nother collection pending with the Ministry of Arts of Mauritius. Her blog is at anoucheka.blogspot.com. She has been published in various literary journals, including SETU, Different Truths, Dissident Voice, and Tuck Magazine. Her works can also be found at poetrysoup.com.
Three Poems by Lois Greene Stone: "Sisters," "Hospital Games," and "Motherhood Lasts Forever"
Lois Greene Stone, writer and poet, has been syndicated worldwide. Poetry and personal essays have been included in hard & softcover book anthologies. Collections of her personal items, photos, and memorabilia are in major museums including twelve different divisions of The Smithsonian.
Three poems by Marcia Conover: "Mollie Mollie Mollie," "Forever," and "A Need to Cry"
Marcia Conover was born in Indiana, growing up in a small Farming community located in northern Madison County. Since she was a small child, she has had a compassion for animals in need and a love of photography and the outdoors. She wrote short fiction and poetry since high school and has been published in Indiana Voice Journal and several anthologies available on Amazon. She is married with 2 grown children and lives on a small farm where she has owned and operated an in home state licensed child care since 1984.
Three Poems by Lisa Keifer: "Dressing Up," "a Portrait," and "Darling"
Lisa Keifer is a budding writer from a rather small town in Indiana. She currently resides in an even smaller town with her husband and precocious son.
Three Poems by Linda M.Crate: "i will only ever be me," "girls with ambition," and "i'd rather honesty than skeletons"
Linda M. Crate is a Pennsylvanian, native born in Pittsburgh yet raised in the rural town of Conneautville. Her poetry, short stories, articles, and reviews have been published in a myriad of magazines both online and in print. She has three published chapbooks: A Mermaid Crashing Into Dawn (Fowlpox Press - June 2013) and Less Than A Man (The Camel Saloon - January 2014), and If Tomorrow Never Comes (Scars Publications, August 2016). Her fantasy novel Blood & Magic was published in March 2015. The second novel of this series Dragons & Magic was published in October 2015. Her third novel Centaurs & Magic was published November 2016.
A Poem by Kathy Jo Carter: "A Fate Accepted"
Kathy Jo Carter is a nurse and life resident of Madison County, Indiana. The Arts are a passion, but her biggest passion is her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is a member of Last Stanza Poets of Elwood, IN, and St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Three Poems by Mary Winslow: "Driftwood Sculpture," "In Auden's Museum," and "Resurrecting Edith Gee"
Mary Winslow studied poetry with Oregon poet John Haislip (a student of Theodore Roethke's). She teaches creative writing and gardening in Lake Oswego and West Linn, Oregon. He poems have been published in several journals, including Avocet, Indefinite Space, The Blue Nib, Switch Poetry Journal, Road Not Taken, and The Antigonish Review. Visit her blog at: http://hellopoetry.com/mary-winslow/
A Poem by Monique Hayes: "Undone"
Monique Hayes' poems and short fiction have appeared in Heart: Human Equity Through Art, Prick of the Spindle, District Lines (Politics & Prose), Midway Journal, Touch: the Journal of Healing, The Literary Nest, and Revise the Psalm: Works Celebrating the Writings of Gwendolyn Brooks. She received her MFA from the University of Maryland College Park.
Three Poems by Ngozi Olivia Osuoha: "The Marathon of War," "Jungle Justice a Thorn in the Heart," and "Africa Recounts"
Ngozi Olivia Osuoha is a Nigerian poet/writer/thinker/rhymer. She has been published in journals in the UK, US, Ghana, Liberia, India, Zimbabwe, Canada, Kenya, Trinidad and Tobago and Germany among others.
Two Poems by Stefanie Bennett:'The Letter" and "Women's Work: 2 Trains Running "
Stefanie Bennett, ex-blues singer & musician, has published several books
of poetry, a libretto, & a novel, & worked with Arts Action for Peace. Of
mixed ancestry [Irish/Italian/Paugussett-Shawnee] she was born in Qld.,
Australia. Stefanie is currently working on the manuscript ‘Blanks From
The Other World’ (Poems). Her latest poetry title (2015) “The Vanishing”
is published by Walleah Press.
of poetry, a libretto, & a novel, & worked with Arts Action for Peace. Of
mixed ancestry [Irish/Italian/Paugussett-Shawnee] she was born in Qld.,
Australia. Stefanie is currently working on the manuscript ‘Blanks From
The Other World’ (Poems). Her latest poetry title (2015) “The Vanishing”
is published by Walleah Press.
Four Poems by Nicole Surginer; "Yearning," "Wearied," "Forlorn" and "Painted"
Nicole Surginer, is a poet from the small town of Bastrop,Texas. She is inspired to write through her love for nature's enchantment, a fascination with the power of raw, intense emotion and a desire to create beauty with words. She has been published in Tuck Magazine, Anti-Heroin Chic, Indiana Voice Journal, In Between Hangovers, Your One Phone Call, and several others. Her poems are slated to appear in the anthology "Dandelion in a Vase of Roses" later this year.
Three poems by Joyce Zephyrin: "Resolution," "Love," and "Old Love"
Joyce Zephyrin is a member of The Last Stanza Poetry Association and the Poetry Society of Indiana. She has a book of poems, "Shadows on the Land," available on Amazon. She loves art, travel, and music.
A Poem by Joan Leotta: "While Other Flowers Wait for Spring..."
Joan Leottahas been playing with words on page and stage since childhood. She's a journalist, novelist, poet and playwright. Her novels feature strong Italian-American women. Joan's poems and picture books celebrate food and family. Her poetry and essays appear in Gnarled Oak, Red Wolf, A Quiet Courage, the A-3 Review, Hobart Literary Review, Silver Birch, Postcard Poems and Prose among others, Her blog, Recipes for Success, is at www.joanleotta.wordpress.com. He Facebook page is: Joan Leotta, Author and Story Performer. Her first poetry chapbook, Languid Lusciousness with Lemon, is out this year on Finishing Line Press.
Three poems by Susan Kahil: "Shatterproof Heart," "A Dose of Laughter," and "Bluebells"
Susan Kahil singer/songwriter/poet is originally from the UK but has lived in Southern Spain for the past twelve years in a secluded mountain valley on her olive, orange and avocado farm. Surrounded by nature, lots of animals and wildlife, this is where she draws her inspiration for poetry and original songs. She has been published in several publications including an anthology. Visit her Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/susan.kahil
Three Poems by Olfa Philo: "Flood," "Assassin," and "Denied Passion"
Olfa Philo is a writer from Tunisia and holds a PhD in American literature. She is an English teacher and an ex-international volleyball player. Her cause as a poet is to voice the buried emotions and phobias of the oppressed and the downtrodden and also to unmask and expose hidden truths socially considered as taboo or shameful. She is a female rebel at heart who wages war against injustice, marginalization, intimidation, objectification, subjugation and violence against the powerless. Her weapons are peaceful, yet bullet-like words. Her poems have appeared in different online and print literary journals in Tunsia, USA, UK, Canada, India, Asia, China, Albania and Serbia. Some of her poems have been translated into Arabic, Serbian, Chinese, Albanian and the Assamese language. She has published so far a play entitled "Sublime Revenge" and a collection of poetry entitled "(Un)jailed," both available on Amazon.
Two Poems by Tamara Lakomy: "Memory" and "Poison"
Tamara Lakomy is an archaeologist, specializing in the occult practices of indigenous people, herself of Berber Amazigh and Slavic descent. She runs a foundation that operates in East Africa, specializing in the cultural preservation of indigenous tribes, women’s rights and education. She also advises foreign governments. She’s a priestess in training having embraced the faith of the Mother Goddess. She is a co-founder and pioneer of Blueprints.org to collaborate on sustainable solutions to troubled regions. She’s also a great animal lover, saving stray and neglected animals in her native country since she was young
Three Poems by Tamsen Grace: "Eve," "This Princess Saved Herself," and "I Am Pink"
Tamsen Grace is a published author and poet, inspirational speaker, martial artist and a cancer survivor. She lives in the Midwest with her three children. She enjoys reading, writing, spending time outdoors and teaching children Martial Arts. Visit her blog at: http://tamsengrace.com/
Three Poems by Vatsala Radhakeesoon: "A Woman," "Bangles," and "From an Intellectual Lady"
Vatsala Radhakeesoon is a poet from Mauritius. She is the representative of Immagine and Poesia for Mauritius, She is also a regular contributor to "Different Truths Magazine" and other literary journals and magazines. Her first poetry book When Solitude Speaks was published in 2013 .
Three Poems by Karen Ankers: "David," "Excuse Me," and "Shelter"
Karen Ankers lives in Anglesey, North Wales, where she draws inspiration for her writing from the landscape and Wales’ mythical tradition. As well as writing poetry, she enjoys writing one act plays, in which she tries to give a voice to those usually ignored and unheard. Her plays have been performed in the UK, America and Australia, and she is currently working on a novel.
Three Poems by Marianne Lyon: "Love Song," "Amazing Love," and "Twilight Stroll"
Marianne Lyon has been a music teacher for 39 years. After teaching in Hong Kong, she returned to the Napa Valley and has been published in various literary magazines and reviews. She was nominated for the Pushcart Prize 2016. She is a member of the California Writers Club, Healdsburg Literary Guild. She is an Adjunct Professor at Touro University Vallejo California
Three Poems by Katelin Rice: "I am Eve," "12.22.12," and "Basements"
Katelin Rice is a middle-school English teacher. Her brand of feminism was reborn with her first child and continues to evolve as she wends her way through the cornfields in her small-town home. When she's not teaching, directing middle school musicals, writing poetry, reading excellent literature, or taking care of her son, she enjoys sporting overalls, cooking, and doing yoga.
Three Poems by Judy Moskowitz: "Implicit Bliss," "When I'm With You," and "Ode to Illusion"
Judy Moskowitz started playing piano at the age of three and became a professional jazz musician. She has performed throughout the New York City area and was part of the jazz scene in New York. Judy started writing poetry three years ago and has been published in Indiana Voice Journal, Midnight Dreamers Of The Yellow Haze, The Poet Community.com, Whispers Of The Wind, Leaves Of Ink, and Poetry Life & Times. She currently resides in Boca Raton Florida where she continues to play jazz and write poetry. They live side by side in her veins and soul.
Three Poems by Jan Ball: "Play Street for the Needy," "Suspended for Smoking," and "Upstate New York Defined"
Jan Ball started seriously writing poetry and submitting it for publication in 1998.
Since then, she's had 220 poems accepted or published in the U.S., Canada,
India and England. Her poems have appeared in Atlanta Review, Calyx, Connecticut Review, Main Street Rag, Nimrod, Phoebe and many other journals. She has two chapbooks, Accompanying
Spouse (2011) and Chapter of Faults (2014), published by Finishing Line Press and available on Amazon. She is a member of The Poetry Club of Chicago. She is a former Franciscan nun and is married with two children.
Since then, she's had 220 poems accepted or published in the U.S., Canada,
India and England. Her poems have appeared in Atlanta Review, Calyx, Connecticut Review, Main Street Rag, Nimrod, Phoebe and many other journals. She has two chapbooks, Accompanying
Spouse (2011) and Chapter of Faults (2014), published by Finishing Line Press and available on Amazon. She is a member of The Poetry Club of Chicago. She is a former Franciscan nun and is married with two children.
A Poem by Fizza Abbas: "Words"
Fizza Abbas is a struggling writer and poet from Pakistan, who loves to explore the world with visionary eyes. Her work has been published in many online publications, including Best New Poems, The Legendary, Eye On Life, Express Tribune, Poetry Pacific, Health TV, and many others.
Read some of her work at https://newlondonwriters.com/tag/fizza-abbas/
Read some of her work at https://newlondonwriters.com/tag/fizza-abbas/
Two Poems by Ellae Lawton: "Musings of a Retired Suburbanite," and "After My Daughter's Wedding"
Editor and English professor emerita Ellae Lawton has been a feminist since she discovered Queen Elizabeth I at age six but has considered motherhood her greatest privilege for nearly half a century. Born a Hoosier, she now lives near her daughter in southeastern North Carolina. Some of her work has appeared in The Dead Mule School of Southern Literature, Referential, Wild Goose Poetry Review, Iodine Poetry Journal, and When Women Waken.
Three Poems by Doni York: "A Deep Thought in the Middle of a Carnival Date," "Another Joke About the End of the World," and "Drive"
Doni York is a graduate student and teaching assistant at Indiana State University where she is majoring in English with a concentration in creative writing. She currently acts as Vice President of her college's Creative Writing Society and is also a member of Sigma Tau Delta, the National English Honor Society. After graduation she plans on pursuing a career that allows her to write and work with books.
A Poem by Daginne Aignend: "Complacent"
Daginne Aignend is a pseudonym for the Dutch poetess Inge Wesdijk. She started to write English poetry four years ago and posted some of her poems on her Facebook page and on her website.
She likes hardrock music, photography and fantasy books. Daginne is a vegetarian and spends a lot of time with her animals.
She likes hardrock music, photography and fantasy books. Daginne is a vegetarian and spends a lot of time with her animals.
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