writing

My Writing Published in 2018

by carolinavonkampen
December 29, 2018December 30, 2018

The first year after graduating from college with an English degree is a pivotal time for a writer: Should I keep working on stories and essays I wrote in college? Should I write new material? Is it worth my time submitting to literary magazines, or should I just write for fun? Will I be so burned out from college writing courses that I’ll just stop writing?

The truth is, I did feel burned out after college. I’ve written about how I felt like I wasn’t a writer in college because I couldn’t write every day; turns out, that problem follows you into a full-time job, especially one that draws on your creative energies like editing does. Making time to write (or even revise older pieces) is a deliberate choice you have to make.

Takeaways From BookFest St. Louis 2018 as a Reader, Writer, and Editor

by carolinavonkampen
November 26, 2018November 10, 2019

BookFest St. Louis is a wonderful daylong event that lets the St. Louis community hear a variety of authors speak for free. I attended the festival in September with my friend Hannah and her sister and had a great time. Here are the sessions I attended and what I took away from them as a reader, writer, and editor.

I’m Not a Failure If I Stop Writing

by carolinavonkampen
June 15, 2018November 10, 2019

“You fail only if you stop writing.” —Ray Bradbury I’ve always known I was a good writer. Teachers complimented me on my writing and encouraged… Read More »I’m Not a Failure If I Stop Writing

Flash Fiction Roundup: 12 Stories From 12 Lit Mags

by carolinavonkampen
March 19, 2018July 6, 2018

In February, I made a concerted effort to read more lit mags. I didn’t quite reach my goal of reading a different one every day, but I did find 12 stories that resonated with me for one reason or another. Enjoy this flash fiction roundup from around the internet!Read More »Flash Fiction Roundup: 12 Stories From 12 Lit Mags

I Read Lit Mags Most Days for a Month—Here’s What I Learned

by carolinavonkampen
February 26, 2018March 20, 2018

At the beginning of February, I challenged myself to read selections from one lit mag every day for the entire month. As with most goals, I didn’t end up reading lit mags *every* day, but I did read a sampling. Here’s what I learned from this reading challenge:Read More »I Read Lit Mags Most Days for a Month—Here’s What I Learned

I’m Actually Going to Read Lit Mags This Month

by carolinavonkampen
February 5, 2018February 5, 2018

I have a confession to make: Since November, I’ve been regularly submitting the few pieces of my writing that are polished enough to send into the world to lit mags. But rarely, so rarely, have I actually…read…lit mags.

It’s terrible. Around 75 percent of lit mag submission guidelines suggest that writers read the magazine to get an idea of what the editors like. This makes sense. But I haven’t done it.

I have no excuses, really. I like reading, I intend to support lit mags, and I want to find the best places for my writing.

So I’ve decided that in February, it’s time to actually read lit mags.Read More »I’m Actually Going to Read Lit Mags This Month