Delmarva Review

Delmarva Review Announces “Best of” Anthology

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 Delmarva Review Announces
“The Best of” Anthology

Poetry and Prose from 75 Authors

 

November 2024 - St. Michaels, MD – A notable new literary anthology, The Best of Delmarva Review 2008 - 2023, has been released for circulation worldwide in print and e-book editions.

“The anthology showcases ‘the best of the best’ short stories, poetry, and nonfiction published in the Delmarva Review during its 16-year history,” said Wilson Wyatt, the executive editor and one of the founders of the literary journal.

The 450-page collection contains a treasure trove of the most compelling writing by 75 authors. Many are from the greater Chesapeake-Delmarva region. In all, they come from 18 states, the District of Columbia, and one from Scotland.

“The anthology is three books in one, organized into poetry, fiction, and nonfiction sections,” Wyatt said.  “Each section is like a small book introduced by an interview with the editors highlighting why they chose the poetry and prose. The reasoning for their choices are like ‘writing gold’ for aspiring writers, and they add thoughtful considerations for our readers.”

Over its history, the Delmarva Review has published the best new poems and stories from 550 writers. They have come from 47 states, the District of Columbia, and 19 foreign countries and represent the publication’s dedication to exceptional writing. Over 100 have been nominated for Pushcart Prizes and other national awards. Some have the attention in “best of” anthologies or received public acclaim from literary critics, editors, and other publishers.

The Delmarva Review’s editorial staff is composed entirely of experienced volunteers, including professors from universities in the tri-state area. They have read the thousands of submissions to the journal each year. Publication in the Delmarva Review is regarded as a literary achievement.

In addition to the review’s annual journal, it partners with local media to publish selected content weekly for large regional audiences of new readers. The result is both national and local recognition for the writers’ work.
The Delmarva Review’s editorial board operates as a team. It includes Bill Gourgey, managing editor and publisher, from  Washington, DC, poetry editor Anne Colwell, of Milton, Delaware, poetry assistant editor Katherine Gekker, of Alexandria, Virginia, fiction senior editor Harold O. Wilson, of Chester, Maryland, fiction coeditor Lee Slater, of Norfolk, Virginia, nonfiction editor Ellen Brown, of Duluth, Minnesota, Gerald F. Sweeney, book review editor, of Easton, Maryland, and Wilson Wyatt, executive editor, of St. Michaels, Maryland.

The cover photograph of the anthology pictures a great egret with its wings spread to take off. The photographer, Wilson Wyatt, calls the photo “Taking Flight.” He says the image is a visual metaphor after publication for the author “taking flight” to new destinations of opportunity.

As an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit literary publisher, the journal has received  financial support from individual tax-deductible contributions and public grants from Talbot Arts, with revenues from the Maryland State Arts Council.

The Best of Delmarva Review 2008-2023 is available in paperback (print) and e-book editions from major online booksellers and some regional specialty bookstores. For more information, see the website: www.DelmarvaReview.org.

 

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Anthology

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Published November 2024

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Contributors
What's Inside

Every story, every poem, every essay in The Best of Delmarva Review contains much more than what appears on the page. Each of the 14 stories introduces another layer beneath the surface. Each of the 63 poems presents not only what is said, but what is not said, and the poet’s voice stirs new meanings with each reading. The 19 essays are relevant to you, and the personal ones will strike your emotional core with their honesty and authenticity. In all, there are interesting new worlds to explore or new ways to explore today’s world. Those are among the promises you will find in the following pages.

As we selected the writing for “The Best of” anthology, we were in awe of the creativity shown by the authors published over our sixteen-year history. Since the first edition in 2008, the editors have read thousands and thousands of submissions from aspiring and established writers. We decided to draw attention to the writing qualities that stood out. We hope that will be useful to other writers and interesting to readers.

Volume 16

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Published November 2023

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What's Inside

WELCOME TO THE Delmarva Review’s 16th edition. The writing of 72 authors was selected from thousands of submissions during the year. This annual issue includes 70 poems, 12 short stories, and 14 essays. In all, the writers come from 23 states, the District of Columbia, and four foreign countries.

This year’s cover photograph is called “Eye of the Beholder.” It is a fitting description for the Red-tailed hawk’s large “eye,” on the cover, that allows the raptor to focus on its prey with spatial clarity from great heights at high speed.

The stories or poems in this issue carry a unique message from each author, in her or his own words. Topics naturally include grief, death, pain, love, living, place, acceptance, and freedom, among others. Aging and the uncertainties in life are frequent subjects. All have a common challenge—facing change—and the uncomfortable feelings associated with change.

We are pleased to include a personal essay from the student winner of the Delmarva Review-Talbot County Youth Writing Scholarship award. In partnership with Talbot County Schools and supported by a grant from the Talbot Arts, the review selected Mia Mazzeo, a junior at Easton High School, in Easton, Maryland.

As an independent, 501(c)3 nonprofit literary publisher, we are greatly appreciative of the funding support we receive from individual tax-deductible contributions and a public grant from Talbot Arts with revenues from the Maryland State Arts Council.

Volume 15

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Published November 2022

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What's Inside

THROUGH THE AUTHOR’S VOICE, we discover qualities and truths about ourselves. Perhaps more than anything else this describes the strength of our connections with literature.

Welcome to the Delmarva Review’s 15th anniversary edition. Writing from 60 authors was selected from thousands of submissions during the year. This issue includes 78 poems, 11 short stories, and 12 nonfiction essays. In all, the writers come from 18 states, the District of Columbia, and 6 foreign countries. The review welcomes the best new writing in English from all writers regardless of borders.

This year’s cover photograph of an osprey, The Fisherman, tells its own story. The osprey, with wings spread exhibiting his power, has positioned himself high above the water on a storm-broken tree trunk, his talons clutching a partially devoured fish. The osprey’s purpose is not so much the fish as it is his desire to lure a suitable mate for the season’s nest. Thematically, the image exhibits the territorial imperative shared by most animals, including humans.

Each story or poem in this issue has its own message. No singular theme was selected for the edition. As a literary collection, we focus on the most compelling new writing and what is at stake or at risk emotionally or intellectually in the author’s work.

Popular topics include grief, death, pain, love, living, place, acceptance, freedom, aging, and the uncertainty of life, among others. They have one quality in common—change—and the uncomfortable challenges of dealing with change.

Delmarva Review Announces 15th Anniversary Literary Journal

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Prose and Poetry From 60 Authors

Open Submissions Period Until March 31, 2023

St. Michaels, MD - Delmarva Review announced publication of its 15th anniversary literary journal presenting new poetry, short stories, and creative nonfiction from 60 authors in 18 states, the District of Columbia, and six foreign countries. The review publishes the most compelling new writing selected from thousands of submissions during the year.

“Through the author’s voice, we discover qualities and truths about ourselves,” said Wilson Wyatt, executive editor. “Perhaps more than anything else this describes the strength of our connections with literature.”

Since its beginning in 2008, Delmarva Review has published new literary poetry and prose from 490 authors from 42 states, the District of Columbia, and 16 foreign countries. Forty-six percent are from the Chesapeake and Delmarva region. Eighty-four have been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Some have attained notable attention in “best of” anthologies or received public acclaim from other literary critics and editors.

As a literary collection, the focus is on outstanding new writing. This year’s topics include dealing with grief, sickness, death, love, human freedoms, aging, and the uncertainty of life, among others. They have one quality in common—change—and the uncomfortable challenges of dealing with change.

This year’s cover photograph, The Fisherman, by Wyatt, tells a visual story. An osprey spreads its wings to exhibit his power, while positioned high above the water on a storm-broken tree. His talons are clutching a partially devoured fish.

“The osprey’s purpose is not so much the fish,” Wyatt said, “as it is his desire to lure a suitable mate for the season’s nest. Thematically, the image exhibits the territorial imperative shared throughout the animal kingdom, including humans.”

     Delmarva Review was created to offer authors a valued home to publish their best writing at a time when many commercial publications were reducing literary content or closing their doors.

The review makes room for new writers, as well. This year’s fiction includes writing from the first recipient of the Delmarva Review Talbot County Youth Writing Scholarship award. In partnership with Talbot County Schools and supported by a grant from Talbot Arts, the review selected “E Duo Unum” from Maxine Poe-Jensen, a high school senior at St. Michaels High School.

While favoring the permanence of the printed word, the review publishes electronic versions to meet the digital preferences of readers. Both paperback and electronic editions are immediately available at Amazon and other online booksellers. The print edition is also available at regional specialty bookstores.

In addition to Wyatt, the journal’s editorial staff for this edition includes Bill Gourgey, the managing editor who designs and publishes the review, poetry editor Anne Colwell, poetry assistant editor Katherine Gekker, fiction senior editor Harold O. Wilson, fiction coeditors Lee Slater and Judy Reveal, and nonfiction editor Ellen Brown.

The submission period for the 16th edition is open to all writers now through March 31, 2023. Delmarva Review does not charge any submission or reading fees. Writers’ guidelines are posted on DelmarvaReview.org.

Published by the Delmarva Review Literary Fund Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the journal receives financial support from individual tax-deductible contributions and a public grant from Talbot Arts, with revenues from the Maryland State Arts Council. For more information, see DelmarvaReview.org.

 

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Spy Reprints “Elm Trees” by Michael Carrino

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MichaelCarrino

Author’s Note: “Elm Trees” started as my memory of watching the daily removal of the last trees destroyed by Dutch Elm Disease. Period photos of Clinton County, New York show the damage to the landscape caused by the disease. Soon even long-time residents would have only a vague memory of elms. As I wrote each draft during the height of the pandemic, the trees took on a haunting sense of fear and helplessness...  [Continue Story]

Michael Carrino - Elm Trees

Spy Reprints “From Here” by Lillie Gardner

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LillieGardner-NF

Author’s Note: I started writing “From Here” years ago in Los Angeles, on the trip that the piece is about. I was processing a breakup, helping my sister move to a faraway place, and generally figuring out how to be alone. The piece is about gathering strength to live life for your own sake—and finding the courage to go forth into the unknown... [Continue Story]

Spy Reprints “The White Egrets” by Richard Tillinghast

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RichardTillinghast

Author’s Note: “The White Egrets,” from my new book, Blue If Only I Could Tell You, reflects life in an isolated place in the country. The scene specifically draws on where I live in the upland regions of Hawaii Island, but other readers may recognize treasured places of their own. Here I am emulating the style of classical Chinese and Japanese poets like Du Fu and Basho...  [Continue Story]

Richard Tillinghast - The White Egrets

Spy Reprints “Bratwurst Kid” by Richard Peabody

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RichardPeabody

Author’s Note: I used to play guitar in college with the late poet David Hickman. We’d workshop songs we’d written. And one day he told me, “Your song lyrics really suck as songs but they might make pretty good poems.” Turns out I’ve rubbed elbows with a lot of musicians since then. Some had the chops to escape the bar scene. I was a hack and never would have made that leap. I had to make a decision and my focus shifted to poetry and fiction. This poem is the possible road not traveled by a failed singer-songwriter...  [Continue Story]

Richard Peabody - Bratwurst Kid

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