Valley Verbomania Literary Review
Website
About the Publication
Valley Verbomania Literary Review is a youth-led initiative dedicated to celebrating linguistics, cherishing etymologies, and establishing meaningful connections with the arts. We strive to provide writers with a platform for creative expression whilst simultaneously getting published, no strings attached. Furthermore, through informative explorations of language and rhetoric, we encourage you to seek deeper meaning in the words we use on an everyday basis. Valley Verbomania aims to foster a low-stress environment where both emerging and established creatives can showcase their work for free. Our first issue, “Words of Wisdom”, was released in October 2024! Writers, artists, and photographers were encouraged to submit their work, in which we accepted 25 submissions from all over the United States and eight other countries. You can find us on Tiktok and Instagram under the username “valleyverbomania.lit”, where we have 3000+ likes on Tiktok, and 800+ followers on Instagram. Submissions for our second issue, “The Art of Contrast”, opened up in December 2024. Other than literary issues, we also offer: tips for developing more accurate spelling and grammar, the etymological origins of words that relate to certain aesthetics/periods of historical significance, and how literacy is a vital tool in different career paths. Valley Verbomania has even collaborated with other initiatives such as the Global Exchange Network, a youth non-profit dedicated to promoting cultural inclusivity and connectivity. In this project, we conducted research on multiple different languages, gathering important details on the linguistic background of each. Our organizations transformed it into eye-catching Instagram posts in order to educate others on the unique history of Spanish, Korean, and English. Lastly, Valley Verbomania is a proud member of the ICYP (International Council of Youth Publishers), a global network of not-for-profit organizations/literary initiatives all across the globe. Members of the ICYP are dedicated to sharing the unique perspectives of teen creatives and providing a vibrant platform available to aspiring authors of all socioeconomic backgrounds. You can check them out @icyouthpublishers on Instagram.
Submissions
We encourage submitters to play around with words and dismantle any preconceived notions that place literature in a rigid, superficial box. Structures of stanzas and paragraphs can be tinkered with depending on the literary atmosphere the writer is trying to create. Utilize imagery that truly immerses readers into the emotional/intellectual framework of your writing. Pieces should linger in the minds, hearts, and souls of those who browse through them. Engage with language in a way that challenges the reader’s assumptions and compels them to view the world through a multifaceted perspective. Most importantly, your work should allow you to stay true to yourself! Interpretations of our themes can be symbolic, anecdotal, or literal. Submissions are not required to follow the theme, but encouraged to. Lastly, we acknowledge that there is no “right” way to write, which is why we accept a plethora of genres and allow for cross-category pieces (for example, works of poetry that correspond to various paintings).
Upcoming
We recently opened up submissions to our second issue, “The Art of Contrast”, in mid-December 2024. Submitters are encouraged to explore the juxtaposition of contrasting viewpoints and literary elements. Other prompts include: writing about rampageous storms and the idyllic rainbows that subsequently appear; sharing one’s experiences with finding the light at the end of an extremely dark, discouraging tunnel; and pondering on the implications of a parallel universe, where nothing seems the same. In any way possible, Valley Verbomania invites submitters to demonstrate the power of contrast in creating meaningful text. In addition, we also have a few collaborations with Meraki Lit Review (@merakireview.lit) and Vellichor Lit Magazine (@vellichor_lit) in the works, where we will highlight different words and literary concepts!
Information
Editors Name Bryan Milstead (editor-in-chief)
Print publication? No
Circulation N/A
Do you take online submissions? Yes
Submission Guidelines URL https://www.valleyverbomania.com/submit
Approx. Response Time? 1-2 weeks after the issue deadline
How often do you publish? In 2025, we aim to publish 5-7 times this upcoming year.
Year Founded? 2024 (specifically around August)
Do you pay? No
Twitter N/A
Mailing Address:
N/A
Email valleyverbomania@gmail.com
Facebook N/A