Hippocampus Magazine
Hippocampus Magazine, was founded by Donna Talarico, who purchased the domain in 2009 while studying at Wilkes University towards her MFA in creative writing. It was not until 2011 that Donna introduced Hippocampus Magazine to the world. Not only did Donna want to create a literary magazine with outstanding essays and memoirs, but she also wanted to create a venue for education and information for the readers and writers of the creative nonfiction world. This site is also home to craft articles, book reviews and interviews. But how, I'm sure you are wondering, did Ms. Talarico decide on the name "Hippocampus Magazine," for her site? The hippocampus is part of the brain where long term memories are formed and saved, therefore, without the hippocampus great memoirs would not be possible. What a great name for a great website.
I had the privilege of reading three flash creative nonfiction pieces from Hippocampus Magazine. They are, "Burn," by Cheryl Diane Kidder, "When the Light Changes," by Christine Cooper and "October 20," by Margaret Ozmet. Although these are all female authors, Hippocampus Magazine is full of unisex authors throughout their different categories. Back to the flash writing! The stories I read all had a similar tone, the tone of reflection and nostalgia and a firm grip of reality. The subject matters were forced sexual contact, suicidal thoughts and death of loved ones. Unfortunately, these are subjects which many people can relate to, whether it is all subjects or just one/two. Although the subject matter are known to be extreme, the stories were not entirely dark from beginning to end. Each story held on to a form of nostalgia.
In "Burn," (http://www.hippocampusmagazine.com/2013/10/burn-by-cheryl-diane-kidder/) Kidder is faced with a nerve wrecking moment as a man will not allow her out of his car until she agrees to oral sex. She immediately looks away from him, pressing her face against the glass window of the car and instantly remembering the smell of burning leaves from her grandmothers house. The house she would visit with her father as a young girl. Suddenly the man pushes her head down to his lap as he holds a knife at her leg and presses it harder against her skin until she agrees to his despicable actions. The minute it is over she walks away from the car, and as she is unsure she can even trust her legs to get her to her front door, the familiar smell of burning leaves keeps her moving. Next, Cooper, the author of "When the Light Changes," (http://www.hippocampusmagazine.com/2013/08/when-the-light-changes-by-christine-cooper/) takes us down memory lane as she describes in detail her past of suicidal thoughts and attempts, while she remembers them herself in a brief moment of almost being the victim of a car accident at an intersection, thinking to herself that this may finally be her "way out." However as she snaps into reality she quickly remembers her son, in the backseat of the her car. She understands that she no longer can have selfish thoughts, as there is another human life she is responsible for. Now she feels foolish for her thoughts a moment ago and she is thankful that her son has saved her, because now she feels she has a purpose and that purpose is to always protect him. Finally, in "October 20," (http://www.hippocampusmagazine.com/2013/04/october-20-by-margaret-ozmet/) Margaret Ozmet introduces her story with a collection of thoughts she has a freshmen in high school, all surrounding herself. Such as, "How can she focus?" "Why is it so hot?" "I wonder if Troy Fowler would date a freshman?" And then instantly reality snaps her out of her own thoughts as the principal pulls her from class and she meets her older brother in the hall. As the adults advise Margaret that she will be going to the hospital where her father was taken, she begins rambling about herself, yet again, to her brother who does not respond. Then he snaps, "Jesus Christ Margaret! Shut the hell up! Dad is dead!"
The forms of these stories are varied. "Burn," and "When the Light Changes," seem to be segmented, as the authors share flashbacks and go from past to present very rapidly. Then we have "October 20," that is written in traditional form, following a chronological order. As I stated earlier, I focused primarily on the "Flash Creative Nonfiction" submissions, therefore these are what we in class know as short essays, which we have all submitted to our blog. "Hippocampus Magazine," is an excellent venue for rising writers. They are constantly on the lookout for new memoirs, creative nonfiction anthologies and craft books.
INTERESTED IN PUBLISHING TO THIS VENUE?
This site does not charge for publications or reading fees. However, they do host a few respectfully placed advertisements and affiliate links in order to support the administrative costs of running the online magazine. Anything else besides the donation comes from their "pocket change." Any support as a reader or writer is greatly appreciated and will fund things such as postage to send review copies to writers, "Most Memorable" prizes, web hosting, email software and photo licensing.
No comments:
Post a Comment