Writers Cornered

One of the new things I'm hoping people notice in the April issue is the addition of submitted fiction, poetry and essays to the Word pages. (It was going to have this cool little graphic that I ran out of time to make because it took me so dang long to come up with a title. Also, there were space constraints.)

So, the working title of this section is Writers Cornered. There is an 850-word limit, if you have photos or another piece of associated art (to which you own reproduction rights) to submit with it, it will run space available. All submissions come from writers within the Salem Monthly coverage area. Submissions should be directed to editors@salemmonthly.com.

This month's submission was from Diane Schmitz, she can be followed on Twitter (username: seaspark).

Writers Cornered has dual purposes, but I'm going to start with a bit more explanation. The chance to become the editor of an alternative newspaper was, in no small way, the realization of a dream. When I took my first journalism class in college, it wasn't a big daily I wanted to work for, I wanted to be part of the Riverfront Times, St. Louis' alternative newspaper. But, knowing what I wanted and suddenly being confronted with the opportunity to do it were two completely different things. So I started reading. Prior to starting as Salem Monthly's editor in February (I accepted the job about two months before starting), I read everything I could regarding alternative newspapers, their role in the greater media landscape, and what the most highly-regarded alt-weeklies had done in their prime.

The message that stuck with me was simple: alternative newspapers are a breeding ground for new voices.

I want Salem Monthly to be a launchpad for the new voices in our area and my hope is that Writers Cornered becomes a community-owned space within the paper. I would love to know what you think of the idea and value any input you have on its future direction.