From Contributor to Guest Editor ✨

A behind-the-scenes look at editing Little Thoughts Press Issue Fourteen: Traditions and Rituals 📚

Hello friends,

I recently had the joy of guest editing Issue Fourteen: Traditions and Rituals for Little Thoughts Press. I can honestly say it has been one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had as a writer.

If you’re new to Little Thoughts Press, it’s a beautiful children’s literary magazine that celebrates the creativity of young writers and artists by sharing their stories, poems, and artwork with readers.

There is something so special about seeing creative work move from an idea to a submission to a finished piece that readers can hold in their hands.

Stories. Poems. Artwork. All of it finding its way into the world. ✨

Now that the issue is available for preorder, I can’t wait to hold a copy myself. There is a certain magic in seeing a collection come together and knowing so many writers and artists poured their hearts into these pages.

You can preorder a copy of Issue Fourteen: Traditions and Rituals here!

Reading Every Submission ✨

I’ll admit, opening the submissions for the first time felt a little overwhelming.

There were so many wonderful stories, poems, and pieces of artwork to read through. I wanted to give each one the time and attention it deserved. As writers, we often think about what happens after we hit “submit.” We wait. We wonder. We hope.

Sitting on the other side of that process gave me a whole new appreciation for editors.

I found myself thinking about:

📖 The time it takes to thoughtfully read each submission

💭 How editors consider how a piece fits the overall theme and vision

✨ The challenge of making choices when there is so much wonderful work

I took my time with every submission, and I did my best to offer thoughtful and encouraging feedback. Behind every piece was someone who had the courage to create something and share it. That is something worth celebrating!

There Is So Much Talent Out There 🌟

One thing kept happening as I read. I would finish a piece and think:

Wow!

This is so creative.

This is such a fun idea.

This fits the theme perfectly!

I found myself amazed by the talent, imagination, and heart that filled these submissions. It also made narrowing down selections incredibly difficult because there was so much beauty to choose from.

💛 What made this experience even more special was reading submissions from children. Seeing a young writer pour their heart into their words, or an artist share their creativity through their artwork, was truly inspiring. There is something so special about giving children a space to share their voices and seeing the joy and imagination they bring to their work.

Every writer and artist brought something uniquely their own. Seeing so many different interpretations of Traditions and Rituals was such a joy.

A Full-Circle Moment 💫

Editing this issue reminded me of something I’ll never forget. Before I was a guest editor, I was a contributor.

My short story, “Patrice Practices Patience,” was published in Little Thoughts Press: Hit the Road Issue 3.

It was my very first acceptance and publication. I still remember opening that email. It wasn’t just an acceptance. It was validation that my words could find a home. It gave me the confidence to keep writing, keep learning, and keep submitting my work.

Later, my shape poem “Buñuelos” appeared in Issue 5, New Beginnings, making my connection with Little Thoughts Press even more meaningful.

This time, instead of submitting my own work, I had the privilege of helping champion the work of others.

And that felt like a full-circle moment I’ll always treasure. ✨

Stories Matter 📚

Working on this issue reminded me that every submission represents hope.

Hope that someone will connect with your words.

Hope that your story might find its readers.

Hope that your voice matters.

I’m grateful to everyone who trusted us with their stories, poems, and artwork. Thank you for sharing your creativity with us.

I can’t wait for everyone to experience Issue Fourteen: Traditions and Rituals.

Congratulations to every contributor. Your work deserves to be celebrated, and I’m honored to have been a small part of bringing it into the world.

Here’s to more stories finding their way home. ✨

Up Next ✏️

Next, I’ll be sharing another special conversation in my Showing Up to the Page series with an amazing author.

I’m so excited for you to meet them and hear about their journey, their writing, and the ways they continue showing up to the page.

If you’d like to support me even further, you can buy me a coffee.

Thanks for being here with me!

Sonrisas,