Cleaver Magazine

Cleaver Magazine publishes sharp-edged art & literary work by established & emerging voices. To “cleave” is both to stick tight and to fall away.
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Cleaver Magazine shares “cutting-edge” artwork and literary work from a mix of established and emerging voices.We publish a quarterly literary magazine with poetry, short stories, essays, flash prose, visual art, graphic narratives, and visual art. Look for the literary quarterly in March, June, September, and December. In each issue we present several emerging writers and alongside established wr

iters and artists. We see ourselves as facilitators and stewards of the literary and artistic work that we publish. In addition to our literary quarterly, we publish weekly and daily features, including Life As Activism (poetry and prose with a social justice theme), writer-to-writer craft essays, author interviews, travel essays, and reviews of books from small and independent publishers. Our weekly in-house advice columnist, “Ask June” opines on matters punctuational, interpersonal, and philosophical, spinning wit and literary wisdom in response to your ethical quandaries. Our podcast On The Edge is a virtual poetry reading series, available for download on iTunes and SoundCloud. Our radio plays feature original short scrips performed by professional actors. The scripts are available for download as PDF files; the recordings are free for listeners on iTunes and SoundCloud. About our name: “cleave” is a Janus word, also known as an “auto-antonym”, meaning both itself and its opposite. A cleaver is the most broad-edged and brutally efficient kitchen knife, designed to be swung like a hammer for the most effective channel of force. “Cleave” also means to come together with strong attachment. Submissions guidelines at the Cleaver Magazine website. For book review queries, see the masthead on our website. For other queries, email: [email protected]

12/18/2024

The last trip to the yard /
for the night, temperature /
not minus anything just now.
–
LITTLE ODE TO TAKING THE DOG OUT, poetry by John Minczeski, is featured in our new issue, Cleaver 48. Read it now: https://wp.me/p30UXE-ibS

12/18/2024

"Two weeks later the horse was dead and I, in gossip-riddled circles, was named as a suspect."

TESTIMONY, flash fiction by Connor Fisher, appears in our new issue, Cleaver 48. https://wp.me/p30UXE-hRx

12/18/2024

Soaring amaranthis getting you down on the floor again? Diane Seuss’s long line’ll set things /
right while hazarding the new kinds of loneliness.
–
2023.32, poetry by Bradley J. Fest, appears in our new issue. Read it now: https://wp.me/p30UXE-iby

12/18/2024

ON THE OTHER HAND, Part 2 of the Visual Narrative by Clifford Thompson, is featured in Cleaver 48 (Part 1 appears in our previous issue). The piece explores unconscious bias and forgiveness.

See it now in our new issue. https://wp.me/p30UXE-ijC

12/17/2024

"I remember my aunt asking if there were any white children at our school. I remember answering immediately and with confidence, 'As far as I know, Cheryl and I are the only white ones there.' One of the adults, I do not remember who, explained what I truly was. Something bright went out of me.

HARD TIMES, RACE, AND CLASSIC MOVIES, nonfiction by Margo Sanabria, appears in Cleaver 48. https://www.cleavermagazine.com/hard-times-race-and-classic-movies-by-margo-sanabria/

12/17/2024

"How might she have responded differently had I not infected her everyday life with my city fears and precautions?"

THE HYPHENATE by Pamela Balluck was a semi-finalist in our Duality Short Nonfiction Contest, judged by Clifford Thompson. Read the essay in Cleaver 48 now: https://wp.me/p30UXE-hRl

12/17/2024

Sidereal & reassuring, light /
attired in the color of plums. /
Aching with sap, the trees’ /
throb of sweetness’s like /
a ghost /
vexing me.
–
TRUE NORTH, a poem by Herman Beavers, is featured in Cleaver 48, our new issue. Read the poem here: https://wp.me/p30UXE-ice

12/17/2024

Abuelita planting jars at base in rattling cane, / whisking lilies, /

to allude your curve. A pedal in rotation only hints, / spoked light, foot flat in utterance, shoestring.
–
Poetry by Christopher David Rosales is featured in our new issue, Cleaver 48. Read the poem here: https://wp.me/p30UXE-ic0

12/17/2024

"Remember?

"When you licked the blood from your scraped knees and elbows, cleaning your wounds like an animal would, the taste of metal and salt on your tongue."

YOUR CHILDHOOD WAS WITCHCRAFT, flash fiction by Eden Royce, is live on Cleaver. Read it now on our site. https://wp.me/p30UXE-hRT

12/17/2024

"My mother-in-law believes in signs. She believes in synchronicity and premonition. This wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t for her obsession with death."

SPITFIRE, short fiction by Jeff Gabel, appears in Cleaver 48, our new issue. https://wp.me/p30UXE-hQT

12/16/2024

Cleaver 48 is LIVE on Tuesday, Dec. 17 and features the work of DUALITY Essay Contest semifinalists, as well as stunning poetry, inventive flash, thoughtful fiction, and new visual narrative from Clifford Thompson. Check your inbox early!

Subscribe to our free here: https://www.cleavermagazine.com/subscribe/

12/16/2024

Breathe.

On Sunday, Dec 22, Zoom in for a functional yoga class led by Cleaver's EIC Karen Rile. In addition to being a writer and professor, Karen is a certified instructor of the LYT Method, a method that merges the mindfulness of yoga with the intelligence of physical therapy.

For more information (including what to bring to class), see our website.

Embodied Resistance
$5 Cleaver Community Class
Sunday, Dec 22, 2024
2-3:30 pm ET on Zoom

https://cleavermagazine.submittable.com/submit/312430/embodied-resistance-community-movement-for-writers-and-other-humans-taught-by?mc_cid=d2e3c45ba8

12/13/2024

Unwrap one of your gifts early! Cleaver 48 will be delivered to inboxes around the world this Tuesday, December 17.

The new issue features Part 2 of a visual narrative by Clifford Thompson (see our current issue for Part 1), as well as work by these amazing writers:
Tracie Adams, Pamela Balluck, Herman Beavers, Coleman Bigelow, Sinclair Cabocel, Lindsey Godfrey Eccles, Bradley J. Fest, Connor Fisher, Jeff Gabel, Anders Howerton, Elly Katz, Jessica Klimesh, David Lydon-Staley, Zoé Mahfouz, John Minczeski, Jeffrey G. Moss, Krista Puttler, Christopher David Rosales, Kiely Todd Roska, Eden Royce, Margo Sanabria, Judith Serin, Barrett Warner, and Ellen Wilson.

Subscribe to our free here: https://www.cleavermagazine.com/subscribe/

12/12/2024

Flash master Sarah Freligh teaches our Masterclass THIS Sunday, December 15, 2-4pm Eastern on Zoom.

Class will include dynamic versus static characters, the inextricable union of character development and story arc, and guided exercises )in-class and take-home) designed to inspire new characters as well as revise/revive tired old characters from drafts.

SEWING CLOTHES FOR A MOUSE: Creating Believable Characters in Very Short Prose with Sarah Freligh
Sunday, Dec 15, 2024 2-4 pm ET

Can't make it? All registrants receive a recording of the class!

https://cleavermagazine.submittable.com/submit/302920/sarah-freligh-sewing-clothes-for-a-mouse-believable-characters-in-very-short-pr

12/11/2024

"A story is like an origami: the art isn’t in the paper, it’s in the folds."

In this week's newsletter writing tip, David L Updike suggests we tap the interior world of dreams and imagination.

The 3-minute read
Is up on Cleaver now; https://www.cleavermagazine.com/keeping-the-dream-alive-a-writing-tip-by-david-updike/?mc_cid=f7135b48dc

12/10/2024

Chill Subs, the database of editors/ publishers, contests and more just
announced its 2024 Best Lit Mag competition. If you like what we do or how we support our writers, please give us a click.

Thank you Chill Subs for running this low-key fun competition!

Vote by Dec 15: https://tally.so/r/mKPJ4A

12/09/2024

Our next Masterclass will examine how authors employ aspects of craft – including dialogue, action, thought, and physical description — to build effective, unforgettable characters in very short prose.

SEWING CLOTHES FOR A MOUSE: Believable Characters in Very Short Prose with Sarah Freligh
Sunday, Dec 15, 2024 2-4 pm ET

https://cleavermagazine.submittable.com/submit/302920/sarah-freligh-sewing-clothes-for-a-mouse-believable-characters-in-very-short-pr

12/06/2024

FLASH WRITERS: This Sunday, Dec 8, Kathryn Kulpa teaches a one-day asynchronous workshop to help make
your quiet stories shine.

NO FIREWORKS, NO AMBULANCES: Making Your Quiet Story Shine
December 8, 2024
8 am to 10 pm ET

https://www.cleavermagazine.com/classes/

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You are a writer. Write. Gain inspiration and motivation while you fine-tune your craft. Our catalog of Cleaver Masterclasses feature brief, insightful sessions with some of the most accomplished writers working today. Click the link in our bio to learn more. #flashfiction #writingcommunity #personalessay #writingclass #poetrycommunity #creativenonfiction #writing #writer #writingprompts @jesilfa

Cleaver is open to submissions til the cows come home (year-round, that is). https://www.cleavermagazine.com/submission/ #poetrysubmissions #shortstorywriter #creativenonfiction #flashfiction #flashnonfiction

Watch recordings of writing masterclasses, led by Cleaver's accomplished faculty. Boost your craft or up your inspiration — on YOUR time. See the link in our bio for full class descriptions. #writinginspiration #writingencouragement #poetryworkshop #nonfictionwriting #shortstorywriting #publishing #writingprompts #writingcareer @jesilfa #saralevine

Your next great read is on Cleaver. 📚Check our Book Reviews section for the best from indie presses. Link in our bio. #bookreview #booksbooksbooks #poetrybooks #shortstories #novels #nonfictionbooks #booksintranslation #summerreading #indiepress

Recordings of our popular Masterclasses are available for writers who wish to polish their work and boost their careers. Peruse our catalog now! Cleaver's accomplished teachers are ready when you are. https://www.cleavermagazine.com/classes/ #writingcraft #artofwriting #writingworkshop

Our June Masterclass, WRITE FUNNY with Sophie Lucido Johnson, will explore the complex principles and ideas of humor writing. Register now and learn how this tool can benefit even more serious pieces. Sunday, June 23 2-4pm Eastern on Zoom https://cleavermagazine.submittable.com/submit/292256/sophie-lucido-johnson-write-funny-masterclass-june-23

THIS SUNDAY: Tune in for fantastic flash, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Register now for the Cleaver 45 Contributors Reading at 7pm ET on Sunday, April 21. Receive the link: https://tinyurl.com/43hsxspz #writingcommunity #writersofinstagram #writers #writersreading #poetry #poetryreading

Yes. We see the irony. The DEADLINE (what does that word mean, anyway?) for our 2024 Short Nonfiction Contest has been EXTENDED to Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 11:59pm Eastern. Judge Clifford Thompson looks forward to your essays on the theme of DUALITY. The top three essays will receive cash awards and publication in our September 2024 issue. Finalists may also be invited to publish. Submit your short essay; time is on your side. https://www.cleavermagazine.com/2024-creative-nonfiction-contest/

STARTING SOON: The Story Seek launch event at Kelly Writers House! Tune in to the KWH YouTube channel at 6pm EST TONIGHT (Thursday, Feb 8) for a live demo & discussion featuring writers LM Feldman, Beth Kephart, and Yolanda Wisher; Cleaver founders Karen Rile and Lauren Rile Smith; Drexel EGS director Frank Lee; Gossamer Games director Thomas Sharpe; and Cleaver web/design consultant Jackson Tatge. https://m.youtube.com/channel

Visit our website to experience Story Seek, a multi-media literary love letter to #Philadelphia.

Rev up your #writing practice in 2024 with Cleaver single-session Masterclasses! Megan Stielstra & Anni Liu explore two ways of getting published (journals vs. book), Jess Silfa leads a session on honing your MFA application, and Beth Kephart helps us channel our passions into our work. Keep yourself on track next year! Register now: https://www.cleavermagazine.com/upcoming-workshops/ #writer #writingclass #mfawriting #getpublished