Hooray for Word Power! Last night, I attended a marvelous celebration of the written word at my alma mater U.S. 1 Newspaper where Publisher Rich Rein gathered all the contributors (amateurs & professionals) to laud and expound on their Summer Fiction Issue’s poems and short stories. Writing enlightens both she who creates and he who reads. Good for you Rich!.
Hooray for Word Power
It was a marvelous celebration of the written word. Last night, as U.S. 1 Newspaper’s first freelance writers, I attended founding publisher Rich Rein’s celebration of their Summer Fiction Issue. One of Rich’s brilliant editorial brainchildren, the Summer Fiction Issue invites amateurs and semi-pro writers to submit a short story or poem which he and his dedicated staff publish in this absolutely delightful, 60-page anthology.
You could feel the passion in every submission. Rich stood before all those assembled, calling up the poets to share their words aloud, and then invited each short story contributor to give the details behind their tales, while he followed with praiseworthy points and anecdotes. Boy, do we writers need more of this. Writing warms and enlightens both she who writes and he who reads. Lyrical words poignantly reveal the human mind and soul at its honest utmost.
Amazed, I listened to tales of brick walls scrabbled over, blizzards bringing stormy contemplation, glimpses of real desires laid bare in diners, offices, and at the end of a bayonet. In an age when the pen and the creative mind driving it get crammed continually from broad avenues to ever-briefer alleyways of expression, Rich’s Summer Fiction Issue stands as welcome relief. So allow me to add my personal hip – hip – hooray to this unleashing of the grand power of the printed word. And as a post script, if any editor or media host is really seeking what concerns lie most prominently in people’s minds, you have only to scrutinize this paper.
Wishing you every success,
– Bart Jackson