Introducing Issue #16 ~ Summer 2024

Dear Friends and Readers,

Today’s the day!… The big reveal of our summer issue!! It is truly an honor to finally introduce the authors and artists we have been working with over the past several months to bring this amazing collection of work to fruition. It is, in large part, what makes the magazine so fulfilling and worthwhile.

By the time we get to this point, we’ve become deeply familiar with the nuances, voice, and brilliance in all the pieces and are brimming with excitement to share and celebrate!

This is our 16th issue which includes the results of our 4th annual Honeybee Prize. We want to express our gratitude to the judges – Juliana Lamy, Teri Youmans, and Nebraska State Poet, Matt Mason – for selecting the winners and runners-up for this year’s contest. All three were wonderful to work with, generous with their time, and thoughtful in their endorsements. 

Of course, the soul of this collection began in the hearts and minds of the authors who were willing to trust us with their words. Without their drive, imagination, and passion for writing, we would not have such amazing poems and stories to offer. This issue features eleven outstanding pieces from the following writers: Genevieve N. Williams, Olivia Torres, Molly Sturdevant, Jamie L. Smith, Ryan Mattern, Jaime Gill, Kelsey Ferrell, Anne Falkowski, Frankie Concepcion, Randy Bynum, and Megan Monforte. More about the winners – Frankie Concepcion, Jaime Gill, and Randy Bynum – including an endorsement for each is available in our 2024 Honeybee Prize Announcement.

Our list of talented creators does not end there, though. This issue also includes some incredible artwork by several artists: Cameron Shipley, Sharon Reeber, Olude Peter Sunday, Muhammad Ashraf, Emily Rankin, Matthew Fertel, and ​​ Beth Horton. These pieces were selected because of their style, use of color, and texture, and also because of how their work visually complements the writing in the issue. More about these artists is available on our Issue 16 Artwork page.

With that, we are delighted to finally introduce you to Issue #16 ~ Summer 2024! 

As always, thank you for visiting, reading, supporting independent journals, and believing in the arts.

Cheers to Shade Trees and Honeybees,
~Shyla, Tacheny, and The Good Life Review Team
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Issue #16 Editorial Team: Tana Buoy, Tacheny Perry, Joel Clay, Ashley Espinoza, M.A. Boswell, Carina Faz, David Mainelli, Ciara Hoff, Debra Rose Brillati, Annie Barker, Terry Belew, Cid Galicia, Cat Dixon, Michelle Battle, and Shyla Shehan

Issue #16 Readers: Christine Nessler, Patrick O’Dell, Amy Crawford, Julia Sample, Erin Challenor, Madeline Torbenson, Jamie Wendt, Gina Wagner, Lea Pounds, Chad Christensen, Jill Veltkamp, and Toni Allen