The Delmarva Review announces sixth annual edition

The Delmarva Review has announced the publication of its sixth annual literary review presenting new prose and poetry from 23 authors. In all, they come from nine states and the District of Columbia. Many of the writers are from Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia, in the tristate Delmarva region.

“From the hundreds of submissions, we selected stories and poetry expressing the human themes of healing, aging, independence, loss, love, and a sense of place,” said Wilson Wyatt, executive editor. “The cover photograph, ‘Coming, Going,’ by Christopher Woods, suggests a metaphor of opening the door to imaginative writing.”

The nonprofit literary journal publishes distinctive poetry, short stories, and nonfiction in print and digital editions. It also reviews a selection of new books. This is the largest issue in the Review’s six-year history, with 128 pages.

The editors selected Ron Capps, founder of the Veterans Writing Project, as this issue’s featured writer for his powerful personal essay, “Writing My Way Home.” The essay will relate to the many thousands of veterans who have returned from combat with physical and psychological wounds, while it shows how writing can help everyone to heal from the scars of adversity.

Poetry editor Anne Colwell expanded the poetry in this issue. Thirty-one poems from 11 poets represent a wide range of poetic voice and form. Many of the poems are about how life experiences, art, or even age change the way a person perceives the world. “They lead us to unexpected moments of beauty and insight,” said Colwell.

The fiction section contains seven short stories. Beginning with “Undertow,” by Margaret Adams, readers are offered a penetrating view of self-esteem and misunderstanding. A flash fiction piece probes the subject of personal identity. In all, the stories explore freedom, aging, loss, and life’s unanticipated consequences.

The editors selected three books by regional authors to review, including a current novel by John Barth, poetry by Jehanne Dubrow, and a trilogy of stories by Sophie Moss.

In addition to Wyatt and Colwell, the editorial board includes Harold Wilson, Margot Miller and Amy Abrams, fiction editors; George Merrill, nonfiction editor; Mary Ann Hillier, submissions administrator; Melanie Rigney and Gerald Sweeney, editorial advisors; Jeanne Pinault, copy editor; Charleen Marcum, proofreader; and Laura Ambler, layout and design.

The Delmarva Review is produced with the support of subscribers, contributors, and the publisher, the Eastern Shore Writers Association. The association is a nonprofit organization supporting writers and the literary arts across the Delmarva Peninsula.

“We are indebted to the remarkable talents and spirit of the writers, editors, and designer as we present this volume to the eyes of your imagination,” said Wyatt.

The editors encourage writers to consider submitting their best work. The next submission period will be announced soon. Submissions are competitive. Publication of an author’s work in The Delmarva Review represents a significant literary achievement.

The review will be available at regional public libraries and for sale at bookstores. They include the News Center, in Easton, Md.; Mystery Loves Company, in Oxford, Md.; and The Writer’s Center, in Bethesda, Md. Single issues are $10 each plus $2 for postage. Two-year subscriptions are $20 postpaid. An order form is available at www.delmarvareview.com, or by writing: The Delmarva Review, PO Box 544, St. Michaels, MD 21663.

A digital edition, for download to electronic reading devices, will be available soon on Amazon.com.