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The Nikki Hanna Literary Contest winners to be announced soon!

Thank you to all the writers who submitted.

Greetings!

Spring has sprung!

It was just a few weeks ago that your eMerge staff were all trying to shovel themselves out from the snow, and now allergies are reminding us what doesn't kill you can still make your life miserable.

Thankfully we have a whole new bouquet of poetry, prose, songs, and original photographs, both from returning artist and also some new friends! You might even recognize some folks who have popped up on our podcast, eMerge Unchained.

And just like spring seems to include both hot and cold days, you'll find themes from different extremes here, too. There's a tragic poem that touches on the loneliness of aging, and a story that dances through the blushing moments of first love. There's a poem that wonders if companionship is literally an elemental need, and a story (with a photo) that recounts the magic of an afternoon spent with children, picking out the perfect sticks for an art piece. There are also instances of loss, fear, and showing up the guy who just knows he's better than you (possibly the most satisfying reading experience I've had in a long time).

But we aren't just sitting around reading and writing. Your eMerge crew will be out in the wild at several events starting next week and going through the first weekend of May. Be sure to come by our table and say hello!

As March winds blow us into April showers, stock up on your allergy med of choice, grab a cool or warm beverage as the day dictates, and enjoy some of the best literary art you can find anywhere.

And we will be here (or out there) bringing you more to come.

Aubrey Green

Contests

Winners to be announced APRIL 2nd

Thank you to all the writers who submitted works for our short story contest in honor of Nikki Hanna, a dedicated champion of the written word and writers alike. Join us in celebrating Nikki Hanna’s legacy when we announce the winning short story April 2nd!

Podcast

eMerge Unchained with Aubrey Green

"eMerge Unchained" is a dynamic podcast that delves into the creative minds of writers from all walks of life. In each episode, we explore the stories behind the stories—diving into the craft, process, and sources of inspiration that fuel these authors. Whether they’re poets, novelists, screenwriters, or storytellers of any kind, we aim to uncover what keeps them motivated, what challenges they face, and the unique ways in which they unleash their creativity.

In this episode of eMerge Unchained, host Aubrey Green sits down with writer and poet Diane Morrow-Kondos, whose memoir-in-progress draws from decades of life alongside her brother with disabilities. Written during a powerful retreat at the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Diane’s story is a deeply honest reflection on caregiving, family, and the quiet strength of resilience.

Diane shares how swimming laps sparks her best ideas, how poetry surprised her late in life, and why submitting your work—rejection and all—is part of the creative journey. With warmth and humor, she offers insight into balancing personal truth with research, and the unexpected healing that comes through writing.

Take Note - Opportunities

Announcements from our Featured Partners

TLAN 2025 Power of Words Conference: The window to propose a workshop for the conference is open until April 1. The Power of Words conference will take place October 3 - 5 at Unity Village in the Kansas City, Missouri metro area. Learn more at https://www.tlanetwork.org/POW-25-Proposals

Scissortail 2025 Creative Writing Festival:  The Annual Scissortail Creative Writing Festival returns to East Central University, Ada, Oklahoma, April 3 - 5, marking the milestone 20th festival to take place. The event is free and open to the public. Learn more at https://ecuscissortail.blogspot.com

Tulsa LitFest 2025: On April 24 - 28, Tulsa LitFest brings together diverse literary artists and writers in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to collaborate and inspire, enriching the Tulsa community. The free festival includes events ranging from open mic nights and live readings to a small press book fair and a jazz show, presented in a variety of bookstores, taprooms and museums near downtown. https://tulsa.okstate.edu/poets-writers/litfest.html

Ozarks Writers League 2025 Spring Conference:  Announcing the 2025 Spring OWL Conference at a NEW city - Joplin, Missouri, meeting at the Joplin Public Library, April 26. Learn more at https://ozarkswritersleague.com/2025-Spring-Conference.php

May Poetluck at the Writers Colony at Dairy Hollow:  WCDH in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is proud to bring Bill McCloud to WCDH for our May Poetluck, May 15, 6 - 8 p.m. Bill is a poetry editor for the Right Hand Pointing literary journal, poetry reviewer for Vietnam Veterans of America, and eMerge Magazine author.

eMerge Magazine was proud to sponsor March’s Poetluck at the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow! Thank you to Charles Templeton, our featured reader. Learn more at https://www.writerscolony.org/event-details/may-poetluck-1

2025 WriterCon Alaskan Cruise:  This May 31 - June 7, dive into a comprehensive program offering over 20 hours of specialized writing instruction tailored to your unique aspirations. Our curated workshops, led by industry luminaries, cover a wide array of topics, from the art of character development to the nuances of publishing. Learn more at https://writercon.com/writercon-cruise/

Thank you

eMerge Literary Magazine exists solely through the generosity of its donors. As a 501 c3 publication, we rely entirely on contributions from our community to support the work of emerging and established writers, maintain our online presence, and continue offering free, open access to powerful, thought-provoking literature. Every donation helps sustain our mission and keeps the spirit of literary connection alive

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