[2018 update: Unfortunately this journal is no longer available online. Thank you everyone for your support!]
Flashback: In 2014, I was finishing my undergraduate studies, feeling pretty unsure about my future. My university’s literature magazine had rejected every piece I sent. Should I bother pursuing writing further? Did I need to go to grad school to succeed? Should I get a day job and write on the side? Up until this point, my life had been decided for me: go to school, do some homework, repeat. I had no idea what to do now that I could make my own decisions.
In this air of confusion and change, I submitted to a literature magazine called Otto. And when I was at my most vulnerable — scared, self-conscious, lost — they accepted my poem. My first lit mag publication! For that reason, they’ve always held a special place in my heart.
Flash-foward to 2016: I’m pleased to announce that Otto has accepted another poem. They’re asking for a $5 donation for the 2016 issue and a $10 donation to read the past few years’ issues. The money supports creative students at Tunxis Community College in Connecticut (see the link below for more information). If you’re a writer, and you want to get published, Otto is a fantastic place to start.
You can check out this year’s edition here. 🙂
[2018 update: Unfortunately this journal is no longer available online. Thank you everyone for your support!]
Awesome story. Very inspiring. 🙂 You earned a follow for spreading a little light.
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Thank you! 🙂
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Wow. Congratulations. Really touching, the long struggle of an artist put in such a small and beautiful way.
Im your fan. Greetings from India.
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Thank you! 🙂 That’s very nice of you to say.
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Congratulations. I had a similar experience when I was younger and won a few competitions; it was my first indication (other than my Mum telling me I was good, as all Mums do) that I was any good.
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So true — that non-mom validation is the most unbelievable feeling (though moms are great, too!). Thank you! 🙂
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Congratulations!! 😊😊😊
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Thank you!! 😀
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Congratulations! 😀
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Thank you! 🙂
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Well done! Perseverance is the key.
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So true. 🙂 Thank you!!
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Congratulations! You must be so proud. Here’s hoping for more such milestones on your way!
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Thank you very much! 🙂
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Congratulations!!
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Thank you! 🙂
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Congratulations! Well done!
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Thank you!
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Congratulations and thank you for sharing!
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Thank you! 🙂
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You are welcome! I have taken your advice and have peppered my text with more photos, I’m getting more likes/comments and followers, so thank you again for your feedback!
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Awesome! I’m glad it helped 🙂
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I believe it has! And jumping into the “Community Pool” is a big help, too. Here I go!!
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Good luck!! 🙂
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Great!
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Thanks! 🙂
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Congrats! Quick Sunday afternoon inspiration
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I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you! 🙂
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Awesome!!! Good for you for NOT giving up – even when you felt like it.
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Thank you 🙂 It was tough — but I’m glad now that I stuck it out!
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Wow! Congratulations on getting published. Cheers 💕
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Thank you! 🙂
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☺️👍
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Congratulations! I’m so glad you didn’t give up on writing!
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Thank you! And me too 🙂
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Really inspiring! Congratulations and thanks for sharing. It’s a timely encouragement for me to not give up no matter how discouraging things are
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Hang in there! 🙂 And thank you!
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Congratulations! That was so beautiful and inspiring! :’)
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Aww, thanks! 🙂
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It made me smile.
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Strong wings will take you anywhere keep flying and we’re inspired as we follow the light…. 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Thank you!
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This is so cool! Big congrats!!
As a new writer, I’m having a hard time deciding where to send my work off to. How do you choose your lit mags? And how did you find Otto?
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Aww, thanks! 🙂
The most important thing: what do you want to write? Make sure that the journals you chose accept what you write (example: don’t send poetry to a mag that likes romantic fiction). I recommend starting with smaller mags first; Otto is SUPER tiny and run by a college near the one I attended. See if there are any published by schools in your area. Ask around at your local library. Do some Google searches. For sure, it’s a tedious, time-consuming process, but don’t give up!
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Awesome response!!
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Thank you!
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Well done! What an achievement. Very inspiring 🙂
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Thank you very much! 🙂
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Just keep submitting! That’s what I do. There are so many lit mags out there, most of tremendous good quality, that you’ll hit the bullseye sooner or later. And have faith in your work. Every successful writer begins this way. Once you get a few published pieces under your belt, you can more and more confidently think of yourself as “really published”. From there, the stars are the limit…. but I’m only aiming for the bestseller list 😀
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Ahh, the bestseller list… one day, I hope to see both of us on there 😉
But that’s good advice. The more you submit, the more likely you are to be published. You just can’t let those rejections get to you! Thanks for weighing in 🙂
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Awesome!
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Thank you! 🙂
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I write poems too.. 🙂
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That is amazing!! Aim high, there are no limits.
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Thank you — and good luck to you in your endeavors, too! 🙂
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I am late but still I would like to congrats for such an achievement.
Stay blessed!!!
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Thank you! You too 🙂
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Congratulations!
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Thank you! 🙂
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Really pleased for you. It is hard to keep going when you feel the door is firmly shut. Just goes to show if you keep kicking it, it eventually opens!
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Very true. Thank you!! 🙂
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Congratulations.
please check out my blog and let me know what you think…
http://siamorweng.wordpress.com/
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Thank you!
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Congratulations! I hope it’s one of many literary achievements for you.
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Awww, thanks so much! ❤ That's very sweet 🙂
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The wife and I really love this blog and appreciate the creativity and inspiration you provide. If you ever decide to take this blog to the next level by offering a Mobile App version my company Zenlight would love to help for an extremely low price, we appreciate the hard work you have put into this blog and wish you all future success in business and in life.
Thank you for your time, it is the most precious thing we all possess.
-Jacque’
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Thank you! I’ll keep you in mind should I go that way in the future. Thanks for stopping by!
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Congratulations! A first publication is always dear to any writer! You should always persevere and believe in your work if they come from a truthful and honest place. Here’s to plenty more in the future!
Cheers,
Hanna
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Thank you very much! 🙂 I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors as well!
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