Wordgathering

A Journal of Disability Poetry and Literature

Volume 10     Issue 3     September 2016

Essays in this Issue

Four very different essays in this issue of Wordgathering give readers a taste of the wide range that disability literature has to offer. Liz Whiteacre continues with the second part of her essay on creating poetry from college student profiles. In the July issue, she presented samples of the poems; this second essay describes the background of the projections and the many considerations in developing the project. Dylan Emmons demonstrates the power of the essay as a record of personal experience by describing from the inside out how uncontrollable outbursts are a presence in the life of someone with Asperger's. Stephen Kuusisto, one of the premiere essayists in the field of disability literature, presents a case for the necessity of inspiration in disability literature and its disctinction from disability porn. Finally, Connie Voisine describes the unfolding plan for Zoeglossia, an exciting opportunity for writers with disabilities to be involved in writing retreats.

In addition to the above, Emily Michael's essay "Sketching the Rose" on being a blind musician with perfect pitch can be found in this issue's Music section.

As a literary journal that has been existence for almost ten years, Wordgathering is proud to be cited as a source for disability-related writing in books and other periodicals. However, being cited also brings about the possibility of having one's writing be the source of misunderstand at times as well. Diane Kendig who has made several contributions found this out recently when she saw an outdated piece of work on Maria Blanchard cited on Wikipedia. In the following note, Kendig explains this situation and makes sure that readers have the correct information.

  • Diane Kendig, A Note on Having to Correct Wikipedia after Correcting Myself

Wordgathering invites the submissions of literary essays, particularly those that help establish disability literature as a field of study. Essays on the work of other writers with disabilities are especially desireable. In addition, the journal is always seeking new work of fiction by writers with disabilities. We also accept disability-related fiction by writers without disabilities that counters stereotypes of disability. Queries can be addressed to comments@wordgathering.com.

 

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