Goodbye

Five Issues.

In five issues, we introduced ourselves, then took it deeper, through themes like keep close, spaces, nighttime, and finally no theme at all. It's been an honor, a privilege, a joy, and a full-time job — and now as it comes to a close I can't help but wonder, was it too little, too small? But to fall into that lie would be to miss the vision that began Episodic.

"Nothing is too small. Nothing is too, quote-unquote, ordinary or insignificant. Those are the things that make up the measure of our days, and they're the things that sustain us. And they're the things that certainly can become worthy of poetry."Rita Dove

What has happened here is not too little, too small. It is quite large, in fact, quite transformative. And what has happened here is simply a piece. A piece of those of us who have curated it, those of us who have contributed and those of us who have read. It is a sliver of color in a kaleidoscope now. How beautiful and wonderful is that?

It charges us now, to go into the world with eyes refreshed for the small things. For the altogether important and beautiful ordinary, insignificant things. To measure and love your days not by grand adventures, by noise, or by change only, but by the routine, quiet, stillnesses as well. They sustain you, haven't you heard? And if you're so inclined, we hope you write about them, too.

In the vein of smallness, let's keep this small as well, hm? A small goodbye — a large thank you — and a beautiful goodbye. It's been a wonderful time, a wonderful, wonderful piece of life.

Sneak Peek: Spring 2014 Cover

Spring 2014 Submissions Closed

The submissions period for Issue 5 is now closed.  Again we are happy to say to all those who submitted: thank you!

We've come to the time of anticipation, and there is much to anticipate, we assure you.  We have some really lovely pieces lined up for the "No Theme" issue of Episodic.  You all really put your best and most literary feet forward on this one.  And we haven't even reviewed all of the submissions yet!  Who knows what other gems may be awaiting!  Look at how many exclamation points are being used!  This is quite serious!  Alright, alright.

If you didn't have a chance to submit this round, or you have submitted but you do not make it into the Spring 2014 issue, do not despair.  I suggest googling: "Ira Glass The Gap Vimeo."  That ought to invigorate, inspire and cheer you right up.

By April, all notification emails will be sent out by the editors and the fifth issue of Episodic will be ready for the public!

Sneak peeks?  Perhaps...

Episodic is OPEN to submissions!

Deadline: March 15, 2014

Happy submitting!

Spring 2014 Theme: No Theme 

Sometimes it's good to just open a door and step out into the world with no set structure in mind, no plans, no limits.  We at Episodic would like to give you the chance to step out and submit to us anything your wondrously creative hearts would like to submit to us.

We do ask one thing.  Send us your best work.  Send us the poem or the prose piece or the photograph you would unabashedly claim as yours, the piece you would feel absolutely fine about having featured on Facebook for every user to see, the piece you would allow Google to use on it's home page for a whole day.  

While themes can provide for us beautiful, new, unique perspectives on topics we thought we understood already, sometimes the best theme is still no theme at all.

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Remember, you have still have two options in submitting to Episodic.  While there is no actual theme, per say, if you are submitting less than five pieces, you want to submit for the thematic section, rather than the Artists' Gallery.  Please remember to review the submission guidelines found in our FAQ before you email us.

Thank you!

Sneak Peek: Winter 2013 Cover

Winter 2013 Submissions Closed

A few days ago the submissions period to Issue 4 closed.  Again we are happy to say to all those who submitted: thank you!

Another submission period has come and gone.  We have some really exemplary work lined up for the "Nighttime" issue of Episodic, and we have yet to finish reviewing all of the submissions.  So I expect that even my current, very high expectations will be exceeded by the time everything is said and done (or should I say read and done?—ba dum tss).

If you didn't have a chance to submit this round, or you have submitted but you do not make it into the Winter 2013 issue, do not despair—Episodic publishes three times a year!  More opportunities await.

By December, all notification emails will be sent out by the editors and the fourth issue of Episodic will be ready for the public!
Sneak peaks are to be anticipated!

Winter 2013 Theme: Nighttime 

When night falls, to me, the world seems to be exhaling.  It's a subtle shift, but the most substantial and impactful shift of the entire day.  Transforming our world from a place of clarity and light, to shadows and dark.  Think about the way light travels in the darkness.  Think about the way in which night becomes a world unto itself.  Tell us a story about this world that will captivate us.  What has your relationship with this latter part of the day looked like?  If you could say something to the night; if one evening, the Night knocked upon your door, what would you have to say about him (or perhaps, you think, her)?

We continue to encourage artists submitting to include a visual and a written reflection.  Photograph and poem, sketch and story, etc.  

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Remember, you have two options in submitting to Episodic.  You may submit to be included in the thematic section, or the Artists' Gallery.  Please remember to review the submission guidelines found in our FAQ before you email us.

Thank you!

Episodic is OPEN to submissions!

Deadline: November 15, 2013

Happy submitting!

Submitting to Episodic

Since our media expansions there are now two outlets for submitting to Episodic: (1) the digital magazine, and (2) the Tumblr blog.

Currently digital magazine submissions are closed (look out for it to reopen mid-September) but in the meantime if you would like to be a part, check out the two opportunities available on our Tumblr page, The Smaller Pictures Project and Episodes.

The Smaller Pictures Project requires a two to three sentence snippet of advice on how to make the most of everyday.  Find out more, here.

Episodes requires a photograph and short reflection or description (250 word max) on that captured moment.  Find out more, here.

All the best in your everyday ventures!

Running a lit mag ain't cheap!

After three issues and nearly a year, the Episodic team has been thinking of ways to make the experience of collaborations between artists and our magazine more user-friendly and awesome!  And one major way we aim to do that is by upgrading our submissions management through Submittable (you’ve probably heard of it!).  Submittable is a really lovely online submissions manager.  But it costs money to use!

We would like to ask our followers to consider donating $1 or $2 toward our investment in Submittable.  If 110 of you submit $1, we’re good to go!  If 55 of you submit $2, we’re good to go!  If you’re feeling particularly well today, you could spring for $5 or $10 and help us out immensely!

Click our lovely little donate button to get started with your contribution!

Facebook and Tumblr and Twitter, Oh My!

Hello lovely readers.  Episodic Staff is proud to announce we are expanding into the magical mystical realm of social media.  You can now find us on the following sites:

Facebook: Episodic Literary Magazine
Tumblr: episodicmag.tumblr.com
Twitter: @episodicmag
Instagram: @episodicmag

View us, Like us, Follow us!  Oh my!

Sneak Peek: Summer 2013 Cover

Summer 2013 Submissions Closed

To all those who submitted: thank you!

Another wonderful submission period is now behind us.  And a full one!  It's a little hard for me to believe that this is our third issue coming up!  Disbelief aside, I'm grateful for this next opportunity to share some beautiful, thoughtful work with the online world.  And I am very excited about the final product ahead of us.

If you didn't have a chance to submit this round, or submitted but do not make it into the Summer 2013 issue, do not despair—Episodic publishes three times a year!  The opportunities are abundant.  

Now we're kicking it into high gear.  By July, all notification emails will be sent out by the editors and the third issue of Episodic will be ready for the public!
Sneak peaks are to be anticipated!

Submissions end at 11:59 p.m. today!!

So keep sending them in!

Episodic is OPEN to submissions!

Deadline: June 15, 2013

Happy submitting!

Coming Up: 

It's been a long and crazy break between April and now.  In this time, two of the three staff members of Episodic have begun the transition from college to the so-called "real world" (goodbye undergraduate status, we wave goodbye to you!).  With so much uncertainty ahead it's been nice to remember that Episodic remains, and encouraging, for me at least, to think again on what Episodic means.  Big life events like graduations have a way of pulling in memories from all along the path of life.  I have found my mind wandering through all sorts of little stories in my past: the day I heard about my university, my first truly terrible paper grade (History course first semester freshman year), the time I cried sitting by the lion fountain, my first times meeting my best friends there, when the earth quaked while I sat in my advisor's office, and the paths of all the relationships that formed, grew, fell away/still grow on today.  I find this feeling to be a little overwhelming, very humbling, and incredibly beautiful.  I encourage you too, readers, to take a break today—ten or so minutes—to think about the experiences that stick out in your minds—what has made you who you are, gotten you where you are, reading this little blurb today?

Back to scheduled announcement-making: tomorrow we will announce the theme for Episodic's third issue, Summer 2013.  I'm excited!  Are you excited?  Get excited!

Spring 2013 Submissions Closed

To all those who submitted: thank you!

It has been a few days now since the end of our Spring 2013 submission period.  I, for one, could not have been more impressed with the quality of material we received.  The visual and literary art we've reviewed has been a pleasure to read and see.  

If you didn't have a chance to submit this round, or submitted and did not make it into the Spring 2013 issue, do not dispair—Episodic publishes three times a year!  The opportunities are abundant.  

Now we're kicking it into high gear.  By April, all remaining notification emails will be sent out by the editors and the second issue of Episodic will be ready for the public!
Stay tuned for sneak peaks!

Today marks the deadline of submission!  

We have gotten some fantastic pieces from a variety of talented artists since the January announcement—and we've gotten more and more and more within the final week.  Still we suspect that there's even more out there we could be enjoying!  The floodgates are still open!  Get your submissions in before midnight!

Episodic is OPEN to submissions!

Deadline: March 15, 2013

Happy submitting!