I read all genres, but mysteries were there for me when the going was rough. During the hardest times in my life I engaged my overactive mind in high-stakes puzzles, in fictional webs of deceit, and in dropped clues and red herrings. Each mystery pointed out the truth: sometimes, life went sideways, the world went wrong, and people went wrong, too. I didn’t want to be gaslit into thinking everyone was safe. I knew that Read more
by Marleigh Green The campfire crackled before my bare feet as I sat before it, breathing in the fumes. The smoke made my eyes water, but the only place I knew I was protected was within the red-orange glow cast by the flames. Darkness was death. I was the last one left. The forest around me was pitch black and silent, save for the occasional scuffling and growling noises that emerged from between the great Read more
by Sarah Burton “Romance: A Novel Approach” is a class about the craft, theory, and writing of romance novels, about their impact on the reading public, and on wide-spread current and historical repudiation of the well (if often secretly) loved genre. Dangerous Books for Girls is the title of one of the class texts, written by romance author Maya Rodale. I hit the button to enroll so fast. I took the class, I loved the Read more
By Logan Ward Depictions of diverse characters experiencing joy is essential to include in publishing. Fiction can be more than storytelling that reflects morals and cultural norms, it can also serve as an opportunity to show an ideal world. To envision what utopia may look like, we need supportive friendships, thoughtful jokes, and examples of welcoming environments. In 2024, our cultural consciousness is finally aware of the challenges faced by minorities. And now fiction has Read more
By Ember-Reece Richardson I love reading. It’s a way for me to destress after a long day, spend some time in my imagination, and become inspired by legends and stories that I one day hope to share with future generations. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably seen the videos and essays on the benefits of reading diversely. With teachers and librarians remarking on high rates of illiteracy among the next generation and the skyrocketing Read more