Our last issue was about embracing your newly described, true self and setting into your body. Our first issue was similar to your first time being away from your childhood home. May 15th is the one year anniversary of the first issue. When you leave your childhood home for the first time, whether it be for college, a new job, a new adventure or a home more safe than the last, you meet people from different places, people with stories that resemble nothing quite like your own. And in return, you learn so much about your own relationships, your sleep schedule, and who you truly are. Well, this is all to say that we might understand; the journey between our first issue and our fourth felt like we took off from our childhood home for the first time, our passion and energy set towards more adventures. Just like you, we have made even more discoveries about ourselves and Giving Room Mag along the way.
That’s what we feel Issue 4 is all about: returning back to your childhood home with new discoveries, and an acceptance of yourself, and where you come from finally awakened. We also understand that upon returning home, that home might not feel quite the same anymore, just like you. As you take your first steps into your hometown, you simultaneously see a glimpse of the past and a peek into something new. The sun is shining at you as you laugh about old memories and how you once clung to your past mistakes. You run into new neighbors at the local donut shop and old ones at the small bookstore that you basically lived in during middle school. I can say, easily, that’s how this issue feels to me.
Since May 15th, we have published two other issues. Our nerves over the labor-of-love and hard work that comes with starting a literary magazine have calmed a little more. We have an idea of what to expect after we press the publish button. Just like a road trip back home, we know our way along the path which brings us some comfort and inspires us to try new things. A collection of our past, present and possible futures. Each piece features so many emotions and experiences we have felt along our individual and shared journeys as writers, creators and humans.
What makes a home “a home” is the amazing support system you got there. Giving Room Mag has an amazing group of people behind every issue. Cerissa DiValentino who created this amazing space for creators that are often ignored or uncredited for their work; and of course, Emily Goldsmith and Kelly Stohr who help keep our home organized and full of joy. Thanks y’all for making Giving Room Mag such a welcoming place.
And a big thank you to every person who submitted to Giving Room Mag Issue 4. We are so grateful you gave us the opportunity to experience and share your work. To everyone we didn’t accept for this particular issue, we wish you best of luck in finding the right home for your work, and we hope to see your work in our inbox again soon.
Each piece feels like our favorite mug in the top cabinet that we save for special occasions. Enjoy.