• The Beauty of Tenacity

    The Beauty of Tenacity

    Writing is a tough profession. Sometimes writers have to deal with rejection. There is also a hidden bureaucracy associated with the publication world. Nevertheless, one of the saddest facts of life is that people could write, but they do not try at all. That is the main reason why, in terms of the act of…

  • Philosophical Political Climate in America

    Philosophical Political Climate in America

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    Painting by Duygu Yalman, 2009 – 70 x 60 cm Ever since its founding, America has been idealized as the “land of the free”, a notion which also resulted in the beautifully elusive “American Dream”. One of liberty, opportunity, freedom, is the dream that has been passed down through generations. Yet today, many Americans find…

  • Why books are supposed to be a writer’s best friend

    Why books are supposed to be a writer’s best friend

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    “Reading has changed, is changing, and will continue to change the world.” These words from Virginia Woolf, a British author known for her works such as Mrs. Dalloway and A Room of One’s Own, highlight the profound impact of reading on societies worldwide. Many might think that reading influences only their imagination and is merely…

  • Gwendolyn MacEwen, Canada’s Cursed Poetess

    Gwendolyn MacEwen, Canada’s Cursed Poetess

    There is something down there and you want it told.  – Gwendolyn MacEwen Born in Toronto, Canada, on September 1st 1941, Gwendolyn MacEwen grew up in a dysfunctional family. From a young age, she cultivated a passion for writing that soon established her as one of the country’s best writing talents.  However, MacEwen also witnessed…

  • When Alice Found Me | A Chronicle of Literary Awakening

    When Alice Found Me | A Chronicle of Literary Awakening

    An illustration by John Tenniel from Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in WonderlandPhoto: Courtesy of Retroimages/Getty Images Growing up in the early 1990s, I wasn’t the kind of kid who read Machado de Assis or memorized Shakespeare’s sonnets. I attended a public school in a city far from the capital, where education was precarious and basic. Until…

  • Did We Really Hide Treasures in Caves? | Treasures and literature of caves

    Did We Really Hide Treasures in Caves? | Treasures and literature of caves

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    Hubert Robert, The Mouth of a Cave (1784)The Metropolitan Museum of Art Through darkness, humidity, legend and uneasiness, caves have become a column of humanity’s history and literature. But did they ever really hide treasures, as folklore suggests? Caves: Myth and Shelter In popular folklore, caves were often considered gateways to other worlds: those who…

  • The Different Types of Unreliable Narrators

    The Different Types of Unreliable Narrators

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    Truth is slippery. One thing we can be sure of is that when someone tells us a story, we are not dealing with reality itself. It doesn’t mean we are dealing with a lie. It just means that, at that moment, we are being given access to their version of reality, which is a completely…

  • The Resurgence of Book Bans: What History Tells Us About Censorship and Free Speech

    The Resurgence of Book Bans: What History Tells Us About Censorship and Free Speech

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    Book bans have been a recurring phenomenon throughout history, often reflecting societal anxieties, political struggles, and cultural shifts. In recent years, the resurgence of book bans, particularly in schools and public libraries, has reignited debates over censorship, intellectual freedom, and the role of literature in shaping public discourse. Understanding the historical context of book bans…

  • The Decline of Literary Magazines and Small Presses: Rescuing the Heart of Independent Literature

    The Decline of Literary Magazines and Small Presses: Rescuing the Heart of Independent Literature

    In an era dominated by digital content and rapid consumption, literary magazines and small presses—once the beating heart of independent literature—are facing unprecedented challenges. These niche publications have long been the breeding ground for emerging voices and experimental writing, but today they operate on shoestring budgets and struggle to capture dwindling audiences. This article examines…

  • The Future of Libraries in the Digital Age: Evolution or Extinction?

    The Future of Libraries in the Digital Age: Evolution or Extinction?

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    Photo by Leif Niemczik on Unsplash Libraries have long been the heart of literary culture—places where knowledge is preserved, stories are shared, and communities come together. However, in the digital age, where ebooks, audiobooks, and online resources dominate, traditional libraries face unprecedented challenges. As funding dwindles and physical book circulation declines, many ask: Are libraries…