I’ve been reading a ton of submissions since I’ve been back from the California trip. I’ve taken on a volunteer position at my friend’s (also a former colleague’s) literary magazine. I’m enjoying the experience much more than I did at the college’s lit mag because I’m reading everything and not just the slush pile and because, this may be even more important, my opinion actually is heard and considered. We are a small group of three (sometimes four when it is a tough call) instead of a large group that runs by committee. It can be hard to constantly defer to others and compromise when judging artistic talent, harder still in a large group. So, I’m really enjoying the dialogue and decisions we are making. I also didn’t realize just how known the magazine is in the region and across the US considering that she doesn’t advertise it in any of the big monthly/bi-monthly periodicals or yearly guides. Pretty cool stuff.