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Volume 15

November 12, 2022 By The Editorial Team

Published November 2022

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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.

Filed Under: Issues, Uncategorized Tagged With: Essays, Fiction, Poetry, Prose, Reviews

Volume 14

November 4, 2021 By The Editorial Team

Published November 2021

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Welcome to the fourteenth edition of Delmarva Review, an annual, independent, nonprofit literary journal. In this, our largest edition, we selected the new writing of seventy authors that stood out from thousands of submissions during the year. Volume 14 includes ninety-eight poems, thirteen short stories, twelve creative nonfiction essays, and seven book reviews. In all, the writers come from twenty-five states, the District of Columbia, and four foreign countries. About forty percent are from the Delmarva and Chesapeake region, though the review welcomes the best new writing in English from all writers, regardless of borders.

The cover photograph, Tangier Island Light, taken at dusk is by contributing photographer Jay P. Fleming. It was taken as part of Fleming’s work for his wonderful new narrative photography book, Island Life, capturing “a pivotal moment in time for Smith and Tangier.” Life on these isolated islands in the Chesapeake Bay—the largest estuary in the United States—is often considered frozen in time, but Fleming has delved deeper, documenting work and life on the islands “as the very forces that sustain them also threaten to take them away.” While not the theme of the book, or of the Delmarva Review, climate change remains highly concerning. There is no preaching here—just the facts, images, and human stories—and you are likely to learn something new from the content (see the book review in this edition). The rest is up to you.

Filed Under: Issues, Uncategorized Tagged With: Essays, Fiction, Poetry, Prose, Reviews

Volume 13

October 25, 2020 By The Editorial Team

Published November 2020

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Welcome to the thirteenth annual Delmarva Review, an independent, nonprofit literary journal. Our editors have selected the new work of 64 authors that stood out from thousands of submissions during the year. In this edition, we are publishing 79 poems, 10 short stories, 11 creative nonfiction essays, and seven book reviews. In all, the writers come from twenty-one states, the District of Columbia, and five foreign countries. Forty-two percent are from the Delmarva and Chesapeake region, though the review welcomes the best new writing in English from all writers, regardless of borders.

The cover photograph, “Cedar Island Watch House,” by contributing photographer Jay P. Fleming, captures the feeling of nature’s power and suggests the increasing concern of climate change.

A number of human themes are represented in this issue. One, in particular, gives life to the others—change. We strive to deal with change in our daily lives. While change can be uncomfortable, often confronting personal denial, it finds its natural place in all forms of writing. After all, it is the change in a character’s life that creates the action of a good story…or in the narrative description that adheres to our strongest beliefs and emotions. As our lives change, we are forced to discover the truth to guide us on our journeys, or perhaps to make sense of where we have been. The search for meaning is the basis for the best of enduring literature.

Filed Under: Issues Tagged With: Essays, Fiction, Poetry, Prose, Reviews

Volume 12

November 19, 2019 By The Editorial Team

Published November 2019

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Welcome to the twelfth annual edition of the Delmarva Review, our current contribution to discovering the best of new literary work. Our editors selected the original prose and poetry of fifty-three authors from thousands of submissions. Individually and collectively, the writing in this volume touches us as human beings. We can also enjoy the authors’ craft and unique voice in the telling of stories and poetry.

Our editors selected 72 poems, 10 short stories, and nine nonfiction essays. We also reviewed six recent books of special interest, by regional writers. In all, the authors come from 17 states, the District of Columbia, and four other countries.

The cover photograph, “Rough Water,” by contributing photographer Jay P. Fleming, perfectly embodies the themes from this year’s selections. Jay’s photograph captures the feeling of nature’s power and passion, which is expressed throughout this year’s writing.

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Filed Under: Issues Tagged With: Essays, Fiction, Poetry, Prose, Reviews

Volume 11

October 24, 2018 By The Editorial Team

Published November 2018

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With humble deference to the great literature of the ages, this collection of poems, short stories, and creative nonfiction is proof that all stories have not already been told. Here, each writer gives us an original, new voice. The creative pen endures. Welcome to the eleventh annual Delmarva Review, a literary journal publishing exceptional new writing.

Our editors selected the work of 45 authors that stood out from thousands of submissions. Enclosed are 57 poems, 10 short stories, 11 nonfiction and four micro nonfiction selections. We also reviewed five recent books by regional writers. In all, the authors come from 19 states and two other countries.

A common theme emerged from this year’s writing: the discovery or realization of individuality. Often during difficult times, adversity leaves its impression on one’s identity; it shapes us. It can also be celebrated. Individuality and creativity are inseparable.

Volume 11 is available in print and digital editions worldwide from major online booksellers as well as regional libraries and bookstores on the Delmarva Peninsula.

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Filed Under: Issues Tagged With: Essays, Fiction, Poetry, Prose, Reviews

Volume 10

June 2, 2018 By The Editorial Team

Published November 2017


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Volume 10, celebrating the tenth anniversary of Delmarva Review, touches on the themes of change and hope, among many others. It is a special issue for those who worked on it, a milestone of our dedication to publishing the finest in literary arts. The issue contains the work of 40 authors from 18 states.

The issue also features the poet, Gibbons Ruark, interviewed by poetry editor Anne Colwell. We’re pleased to share two of Ruark’s poems from his wonderful collection The Road to Ballyvaughan.

Volume 10 is available in print and digital editions worldwide from major online booksellers as well as regional libraries and bookstores on the Delmarva Peninsula.


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Filed Under: Issues Tagged With: Essays, Fiction, Poetry, Prose, Reviews

Volume 9

June 2, 2018 By The Editorial Team

Published November 2016


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Volume 9 contains the poetry and prose of thirty-six authors from 11 states. We encourage the work of authors in the greater Chesapeake region, and we welcome all writers, regardless of residence. The writing in this edition includes: forty-seven poems, eight short stories, and 10 essays and memoirs. We also review five recent books by regional authors.

In recognition of William Shakespeare's 400th birthday, we are featuring the work of Shakespearean actor and poet James Keegan, from Milton, Delaware, in this issue.

Volume 9 is available in print and digital editions worldwide from major online booksellers as well as regional libraries and bookstores on the Delmarva Peninsula.


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Filed Under: Issues Tagged With: Essays, Fiction, Poetry, Prose, Reviews

Volume 8

June 2, 2018 By The Editorial Team

Published November 2015


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The 2015 edition presents new poetry and prose from thirty-five contributors in 12 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada. They probe diverse human themes including individualism, acceptance, loss, birth, death, love, healing, and a sense of belonging in the larger world. The issue opens with a conversation between the poetry editor and Sue Ellen Thompson about her celebrated book, They, in which Ms. Thompson uses poetry to explore family and generational issues of acceptance over having a trans-gender child.

Volume 8 is available in print and digital editions worldwide from major online booksellers (Amazon.com, Kindle, etc.), as well as regional libraries and bookstores on the Delmarva Peninsula.


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Filed Under: Issues Tagged With: Essays, Fiction, Poetry, Prose, Reviews

Volume 7

June 2, 2018 By The Editorial Team

Published October 2014


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The 2014 edition presents the work of 40 contributors from 14 states, Washington, D.C., and one foreign country. Readers, many of whom are writers and teachers, will find diversity of craft and narrative voice among the compelling pieces selected for this edition.

Volume 7 is available in print and ebook editions from all major online booksellers as well as regional libraries and bookstores. Online distribution is virtually worldwide.


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Filed Under: Issues Tagged With: Essays, Fiction, Poetry, Prose, Reviews

Volume 6

June 2, 2018 By The Editorial Team

Published October 2013


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In the 2013 edition you will discover the imaginative work of 23 authors from nine states and the District of Columbia. The editors selected Ron Capps, founder of the Veterans Writing Project, as the featured writer for his personal essay, "Writing My Way Home," in this edition. He reminds us of the power of writing to heal and cope after experiencing unimaginable physical and psychological adversity. Thirty-one poems, from 11 poets, represent a wide range of poetic voice and form. They lead us to unexpected moments of beauty and insight. The fiction section contains seven stories. "Undertow" offers a penetrating view of self-esteem and misunderstanding. A flash fiction piece probes personal identity. In another story, the author creates the authentic voice of an Iranian girl facing generational complexity on her journey to experience love. In all, the stories explore freedom, aging, loss, and life's unanticipated consequences.

Volume 6 is available in print and ebook editions from all major online booksellers as well as regional libraries and bookstores.


Contributors


What's Inside

Filed Under: Issues Tagged With: Essays, Fiction, Poetry, Prose, Reviews

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