Let’s Talk Snails

In this corner of the internet, we talk about all things wonderful and ordinary. All things munderful!

I thought it was about time that those conversations and highlights existed off the internet too. Right?

There’s something so special about holding something in your hands. There’s an ordinary wonder found in tangibility.

So, for my big second-year project here at The Company, I’m going to be producing an art/literary magazine that highlights those beautiful things we love–whether mundane or extraordinary. It will be a physical magazine, with pages you can flip and tear out and pin on your wall (if that suits your fancy).

And it’s called…

The Abalone!

The Abalone Vol. 1, to be more precise.

What is an abalone?

I know, I know. “Where are the snails?” you ask.

Well, I’m going to put on my marine biologist hat today. Now, this hat doesn’t really fit my head…but I just want to talk about snails.

An abalone is a kind of sea snail. It doesn’t look like much. It’s kind of boring, actually. Especially compared to some snails. For some reason, people eat them. I don’t know why. I’ve personally never seen the appeal of eating snails (coming from the woman with a blog called “eat worms,” yes I know).

But their shells? I mean…they’re just a wellspring of classic mundane beauty!

Brad (my mentor) and I picked the name because we liked how it sounded, but it just became more and more fitting. An ordinary, strange snail with a secretly beautiful shell–what better thing could there be to represent the theme of this art/lit mag?

What is The Abalone?

“Nice segue.”

Thank you.

This magazine will be a thing of beauty, and not just in appearance. The Abalone will speak the truth of the gospel, highlight our favorite nooks of pop culture, and show the beauty of creation. 

Volume 1 is inspired by Philippians 4:8, and will be split into eight sections. Each section will highlight one of the virtues Paul cites in this verse: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

And guess what?

Submissions are wide open!

I’m looking for any creative nonfiction (CNF) that fits into at least one of those Philippians 4:8 categories! Here they are in a row: true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellence, worthy of praise.

If you’re a writer, submit something! If you have friends that are writers, get them to submit something!

When in doubt? Submit.

Not sure it’s what we want? Submit.

Nervous that we might think you’re a total fool when we see what you sent? Submit it anyway!

Click here for more information and the submissions page!

Creative nonfiction?

Fiction is awesome, but nonfiction rocks too!

Since this magazine is highlighting truth, I want all of the stories in it to be true! Makes sense, right?

In a nutshell, creative nonfiction is the truth (nonfiction) told with the sensibilities of fiction storytelling. It can be a short story, interview, essay, movie review–whatever you want! Just make sure it’s the truth, told with fiction sensibilities. It should be engaging–almost conversational!

Click here for more information on creative nonfiction!

But that’s not all!

This is a paid opportunity! Those selected to feature in The Abalone will receive some pretty cool stuff.

• First off, it’s totally free to submit your work, so why not send something in? It’s free!
• Further, the authors of the selected stories will receive a $35 author fee.
• As one of the first ever Abalone alum, you’ll also receive a limited edition enamel pin. Those pins will be exclusive to authors published in The Abalone. Join the club!
• Finally, you’ll also get a discount when you buy copies of the magazine.

Submitting does NOT obligate you to publish. You retain all rights to your work. If we’re interested in publishing your piece, we’ll send you a publishing agreement which you can negotiate and ask questions about at that time.

So really…what is there to lose? Answer: nothing. And you have everything to gain.

Beauty is everywhere.

Sometimes, you just gotta turn over some snails to see it.

So tell you friends–spread the word! Don’t you want to be part of something awesome? Let’s put some light out into these dark times.

Let’s hold some mundane wonder in our hands.

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For more information, or to submit a story, go to:

https://writers.company/submission-now-open-the-abalone-vol-1-paid-publishing-opportunity/

If you have any questions, comment below or email me at abalone@writers.company