What can you tell readers about what you're looking for when you read submissions? I’m always looking for something that surprises me in addition to fresh language and intentional line breaks. I want the poems to lift off of the page and take me with it. Do you notice any trends in submissions? Themes? Topics? I notice a lot of poems about cancer, death, tragedy and trauma

What can you tell readers about what you're looking for when you read submissions? I’m looking for intention. How is the title working? Does the structure of the poem work for the content? I like all sorts of poems, especially prose and narrative poems. I’ll always appreciate a clever enjambment! Do you notice any trends in submissions? Themes? Topics? I’ve read a lot of poems, and if the poem is written really well, it doesn’t matter to me if I’ve read the same topic/theme a bajillion times.

What can you tell readers about what you're looking for when you read submissions? Voice over everything! Then pacing and a point of view. Do you notice any trends in submissions? Themes? Topics? Reading for this past issue I noticed some shorter flash works than we have seen for prior issues, which I heartily encourage.

What you're looking for when you read submissions: Stories that spark a reaction in me. If I'm racing to the end, desperate to know how it ends, or if I finish the story and have to sit back for a moment digesting it, sitting with how the piece makes me feel. Do you notice any trends in submissions? Themes? Topics? Natural disasters, as well as stories that walk the line between the realistic and fantastical. Stories that zoom in on relationships and deal with interpersonal issues.

What can you tell readers about what you're looking for when you read submissions? I'm really just looking for stories where the characters feel real; I want every character to earn their place in the narrative. Do you notice any trends in submissions? Themes? Topics? I've noticed that a lot of submissions contain elements of magical realism. We've also received many coming-of-age stories recently. I've been really happy with these trends.

What can you tell readers about what you're looking for when you read submissions? I'm interested in things that have movement (from my eyes on the page, the wrenching in my gut, the tingle in my spine, and the places the story takes me). I'm interested in pieces that have music, and pieces that use the senses. Also I like learning new words. Do you notice any trends in submissions? Themes? Topics? They just get better & better.