The Good Life Review is an independently operated, 501c3 nonprofit literary journal co-founded by Shyla Shehan, Ed Vogel, and a cohort of graduates and candidates of the MFA in Writing program at the University of Nebraska. In the spring of 2020, our group of writers, editors, and designers came together to craft a space intended to shine a light on the diversity in the Midwest. Central to that intention was our desire to foster a positive and inclusive literary community and help writers connect with a wider audience.
Based out of Omaha, Nebraska – astride the oft unnoticed – we know there are a myriad of voices that call the regions surrounding us home. We are committed to exploring the overlooked and want to champion and celebrate writing that takes risks and challenges perceptions, revealing complexities hidden in the Heartland and beyond.
At TGLR, we strive to provide a beautiful and equitable platform for writers and artists to showcase and share their poetry, prose, and art, and we make every effort to offer a supportive, considerate, and professional publishing experience.
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The above has been The Good Life Review‘s mission since its inception. Everyone at TGLR is a creator, and we’ve always believed in the power of art to shape a world. As a literary magazine, we are learning how much reach and power publishing platforms have. We acknowledge and embrace this responsibility. Without subsequent action, however, we recognize that statements are just a form of inaction and inaction complicity.
We are working toward becoming a more diverse, inclusive, equitable, and welcoming space by:
- Amplifying voices—initiatives, efforts, grassroots organizations, etc.—on our website and social media channels who are working toward equity and eradicating injustices.
- Supporting local and national organizations focusing on the arts as a vehicle to inspire positive social change.
- Actively seeking words and art by those humans often marginalized, including Black, Indigenous, people of color; trans people; cis women; agender, gender nonconforming, nonbinary, and intersex people; LGBTQIA+; people who are incarcerated, and people with disabilities. If for any reason our submission process is inaccessible to you, please reach out to us via email: editors@thegoodlifereview.com.
- Waiving submission fees for these populations for portions of our spring and autumn reading periods.
- Actively building a more diverse editorial and reading staff by inviting students and graduates of underrepresented areas of the population to join our team.
Though these are small first steps, TGLR is earnest in our desire to be better and do better. We promise to honor our original commitment to exploring the overlooked and to grow our efforts in the creation of a more just and safe society.
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We are a 501C3 nonprofit literary journal made with ♥ from Omaha, Nebraska.
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