So awesome to hear, @rossshowalter.com! The experience of reading and creating illustrations for your beautiful story was memorable and a special experience for me!

I suppose this thread is a lament, but also a plea that if you are a lit mag/journal that is still putting writing into the world with illustrations, please keep doing it. We need such publications. -- 7/7

And I guess I'm finally moving on from the idea that I might again be asked to contribute work for that particular mag/journal or, even sadder, that I'll ever see original art by other artists on their pages either. Alas! -- 6/7

Whatever the case, though, I think it's a shame that the decision was made. It's been half a year since the change and I guess it's safe to assume that their role as a lit mag/journal that publishes compelling writing with original art is over. -- 5/7

I'm only speculating here though because I never received a message explaining the decision. (I don't feel like pestering the new owners asking for an explanation because I'm certain they have enough to concern themselves with and, even if it'd be nice, they don't owe me an explanation.) -- 4/7

I don't know why the change was made. There may be a good reason (e.g., high cost in time to administer the illustrations/illustrators, or high cost to pay illustration contributors--although I was never paid for the illustration work I created, so I doubt the latter is the case). -- 3/7

Recently, a leading magazine that published writing paired w/a few original illustrations changed ownership, then stopped publishing original art w/the writing. (The illustrations were made by a rotating team of illustrators (myself included) & the art always added to the reading experience.) -- 2/7

Sven: It’s been months since your last photo post. I miss seeing these! They always bring me a visual to contemplate or else joy. Please return and post more artistic shots when you feel up to it.

This is one of my favorites of all time!

Thanks so much, Anna! Love your take on it too! ❤️

What a great short read, @anniejowrites.bsky.social! Powerful punch of a story with a compelling idea at the center and one that is beautifully written.

❤️ Thanks for the recommendation here!

Also, I enjoyed how you shared your draft here. Keep going with that novel-in-progress!