Welcome back to April’s edition of Kiwi Bites! We hope spring has been treating you well with sunshine, picnics, whimsical meadows, and the like. Pop the kettle on, scour for the perfect teabag, blast (at, like, half volume) your comfort playlist, and have at the latest installment of your favorite newsletter (we are your favorite newsletter, right? ….Right??)
—ANNOUNCEMENTS
We are positively bursting with submission opportunities, all of which are accessible via our Linktree, and there really is an opportunity for everyone (which means you have no excuse not to submit)!
Issue 05: Sakura is open for submissions up until May 12th. This theme is all about the contrast between beauty and violence, the changing of the seasons, tradition, hanami, and transient beauty.
We started a short film series!!! (Can you tell we’re excited?) This has been looong in the works, so we are beyond thrilled to finally be sharing it with you. Espresso Shots periodically opens themed calls, specifically for short films. Submissions are now open for our first theme, TOXICITY, and they’ll close on August 31st.
There are just a couple more days to submit to our cover art contest because *surprise*, we’re starting a podcast, too! It’s called Conversations In a Teapot and the winner of the cover art contest will get interviewed for the first episode, hosted by our staff!
The Summer Snapdown is back! If you’re an OG Velli fan, you might remember the photography contest/summer bucket list we partnered with Eunoia Monthly Magazine on. Wellllll since y’all had so much fun last year, we decided to bring it back this year! Summer Snapdown submissions are open until June 11th.
The winners of April’s edition of Ariadne’s Thread have now been posted on our Instagram! Be sure to go check them out and keep your eyes peeled for when May’s edition opens for submissions in a couple days.
And, of course, blog submissions are always open for your creative nonfic, journalism, essays, personal reflections, articles, research papers, and glorified yaps <3
P.S. if you’re a writer, you can nominate yourself for a spotlight on our Insta with our new series The Coffeehouse Interviews! This is also available in the good ol’ Linktree :)
—THE ORACLE OF DELPHI
Welcome back to Delphi, I as always am your beloved and beloathed oracle, and this week, I’m going to be answering a question directly from our last poll. Given how loquacious I tend to be, I think it’s best we get right into it:
“I’m getting rejected from every journal- what do I do, O holy oracle”
This oracle has an ego, so being referenced as holy gave this reader an extra bonus. Honestly though, I kid; I chose this one because it resonated with me as someone deeply afraid of failure.
Rejection can be random. It can be well reasoned. It can be because the person reading your work didn’t like their tea that day, and the bitterness of the almond milk they accidentally poured instead of whole milk ruined their entire day. I love my coworkers, and I can assure you that we pay diligent attention to your submissions, but also, like many of our college journals, we get a lot of submissions. I just went through the college admissions process though, so I am well aware that “we had a very competitive pool this year” can leave you with unresolved resentment, rather than a strong path forward.
So, getting into real paths for the future, here’s my biggest piece of honest advice: editing. Sometimes a poem has good bones but badly constructed flesh, other times, you can have the most beautiful words without a solid base. Ideals, it’s best to edit your poems many times, over the course of weeks, because it can enable you to distil your message- and inform you of when to quit. Sometimes despite how much you love a poem, it needs to be placed on the backburner until you can come back to it later- which you may not realise until you return to it for editing, some time after writing.
Along this same thread of thought, working on being prolific is a great way to ensure that you aren’t submitting a poem just because it’s your only one on theme(something I am totally guilty of), but selecting or writing a piece that you are genuinely confident in. Personally, I try to write a couple of small things a week, while taking tiny notes in my pocket notebook a couple times a day. I mostly write down acute feelings or images that stick with me, and then keep them all on a huge google doc to peruse when I need inspiration. I also keep track of my writing on a big spreadsheet which I find super motivational (+ the colours bring me great joy), but I also understand it may be a bit daunting to some (a picture of my spreadsheet is included below). Not all ideas are good ones, but if you think enough some of them are bound to be excellent, I’ve found.
Lastly, I have a few quick things to check before submitting which can help you build your acceptance rate.
Flow: Read it aloud, make sure the flow is correct- these are being read thoroughly but quickly, so flow problems are often abundantly clear
Grammar: Make sure your tenses are as you intend, homophones correct, and spelling on point, as these things all create a sense of completeness and polish which can become a deciding factor in competitive decisions
Topicality: keep in mind that magazines are often not looking for singularly perfect poems, but also ones that uniquely suit the theme, mood, or idea of a certain issue. Rejections on the base of non-topicality happen relatively frequently at all magazines, including Vellichor, even if the poems are excellent; Magazines are building thematic issues first and foremost, so your writing needs to fall into the category to have a fighting chance.
With all this in mind, the Oracle suggests that you write as much as possible, edit as much as possible, and apply to as many issues as possible. We’re not all Keats- so being prolific is the best way to ensure acceptance. Practice and development are the key to success, and I can confirm as someone who has submitted to 25 magazines in the past year and been accepted to 23 of them, those 23 poems only comprise 28% of the poems I’ve written in the last year. I look back on many of those publications and cringe now, but that’s because I’ve progressed so much as a writer through repetition and revision. So in short: stick with it, and by ensuring that you’re developing rather than stagnating, acceptances are sure to come in if you continue to push. Success takes time.
Until next time dears,
Ella Hughes
Vellichor’s Oracle of Delphi
—CREATIVE COLUMN
Iconography of Crows
By Avis, our newsletter manager
My mother would always wait. She would stay after my dead family members’ rites [Chavarak], staring at the food offered to their ‘souls’ until a crow would perk up at the sight of it and start consuming it. She would often scold any small child who tried to fly them away with the phrase “They are our ancestors reincarnated and visiting us for food! Don’t you dare shoo them away!” Her voice always full of worry; if the crow ate it or not, and would wait for it.
“Caw! Caw!” once it would yell after eating, her body would ease in relief, and my curiosity would deepen every time I witnessed this event.
Crows [& possibly Ravens] are seen as both an omen of evil and divine. My mother’s working theory for them being seen as omens of death came from “Well, these little birds are smarter than us, when wars happened, they’d know that bodies were about to fall and that meant a surge of food supply, human flesh, maggots, even their food supplies. So, they would perch up on trees and wait for it to happen. It’s called being a smart scavenger.” I am not sure how much I’d believe it as a child, but now as an adult with a lot of free time and internet access, let’s look at some folklore, mythology, and a lot of [and I mean a lot] crow behaviour.
Welcome, folks, to ‘Iconography’, where I take animal, bird, and insect motifs and talk about them as my hyper-fixations! Today's iconic Icon is my favourite bird: Crows.
Before we begin, let’s discuss the confusion between crows and Ravens. They are often used interchangeably due to belonging to the same genus, Corvus, and usually have similar appearances. However, ravens are typically much bigger and have a shaggier appearance; their habits are similar to hawks and other predatory birds than our lovely crow babies.
So, what does a crow truly symbolise?
If we talk about modern Western culture, crows symbolise a myriad of things – from death, afterlife, destiny, transformation, to intelligence, wisdom, fortune, and prescience.
As established with snakes, crows, too, have positive and negative reinforcements based on who is telling you the story. It seems these cute birds have always fascinated humans with symbological meaning in practically every culture and society.
With that said, let’s move on to their representation in mythology & folklore -
1. Celtic Mythology: Goddess Morrighan
Goddess Morrighan is a member of the supernatural race ‘Tuatha De Danann’ and is often associated with a trio of Goddesses. She is often said to be a trinity rather than a singularity [i.e., Badb, Macha & Nemain/Anand] representing the Maiden. Mother and Crone, often interchangeable terms amongst the trinity to symbolise life cycle, phases of the moon, and realms of existence.
In terms of Goddess Morrighan, it is often said that if a trio of crows or Ravens is observed around the battlefield and/or before war, it is said that the Goddess is watching and/or is favouring one side of the battle. Another sign of their visit symbolises that she shall pay a visit.
2. Native American Mythology:
As mentioned, ravens and crows are often used interchangeably. In Native American mythology, just like coyotes, they were seen as trickster beings; the harbingers of mischief and chaos. Yet, in some cases, they were a symbol of transformations.
There are tribes, like the Chippewa, the Hopi, the Tlingit, and the Pueblo, which consist of ‘Crow Clans’, associating them with the creation of everything.
3. The Norse Mythology: Odin
Odin, Allfather in Norse mythology, is represented as a raven, often in a pair [Huginn (thought) & Muninn (memory)]. They are said to fly across the world and bring back Odin's knowledge from the land of men, aptly being dubbed as his ‘spies’, symbolising his wisdom and insight.
4. Hindu Mythology: Ancestors
You all read my mother's worry in the story above. In Hindu culture practice, each year we perform a ritual to appease our deceased ancestors and family relatives, which has several different names all over India. Food offerings are made in this process after puja, often kept in the backyard of our homes as we wait for crows to come and feed on them. They symbolise our ancestors accepting our offerings, made to honour them.
5. Greek Mythology: Apollo
In ancient Greek mythology, crows served as a prophecy. In a broader sense, they reinforced Apollo’s role as the God of prophecy as they symbolised foresight and divine messages.
But that was not all, in Ovid’s ‘Metamorphoses’, Corone, a princess, was transformed into a crow to save her from the advances of Poseidon, successfully symbolising both protection and transformation, much like Medusa and her hair full of snakes.
6. Biblical Implications: First Bird
In Christian Patheon, crows and ravens are often referred to as ‘unclean’ and omens of death. Yet, the bible does highlight one thing. Genesis tells us that after the Great Flood, when the water receded, the raven became the first bird to be sent out from the ark, symbolising their role in teaching mankind how to deal with death.
Even when Cain slew Abel, it was a raven that showed Adam and Eve how to bury the body, as they had no experience before.
7. Modern Movie Interpretations:
If you are as big of a horror movie fan as I am, you’d see crows and ravens alike, more specifically ravens are often juxtapositioned to give a grim, menacing, mysterious, and also as a foretelling of the ill omen to arrive in horror movies setting the tone to be dark, often associating them with witches, devils and evil entities.
Crows and ravens, in their association, are birds of sheer intelligence, being able to work in groups, making an array of different sounds each for their purpose, and have personalities of their own. From knowing how to raise the water level by pecking pebbles into a pitcher for a drink to being teenage hooligans dropping sticks and stones down someone’s chimney, crows have been around humanity for centuries, fascinating us with their behaviour and ability to forage for food. If you ever have a chance to feed and train a murder of crows, my dear readers, then please do so. They would add an allure to your personality, and who knows, maybe protect you from an evil human.
—WHAT’S NEW ON THE BLOG
This month on our blog, we have personal journeys; from awkward girlhood experiences to love letters that would remind you of the one you love, things that make us human. Sit in your favorite spot, grab your favorite drink, and get cozy! Pick your poison and enjoy this wonderful ride!
Giving and Receiving in Late Medieval Society; History Column by Grace Hall
“Gifts articulated shared identity and friendship,”
The history column discusses gift-giving practices in medieval society, ranging from patronage to sentimental gifts, focusing on the politics of gift-giving as well as its importance it holds for us as a person.
Everything Everywhere Daily — Media Review — The Aux; Sasi Kondru, Staff Media Reviewer
“Love learning history, but don’t have much time on your hands?”
A detailed review of the podcast ‘Everything Everywhere Daily’ by Gary Andt that discusses titbits of history! For example, the history of poker, the Falkland Islands, etc., by our staff media reviewer. Sasi Kondru!
Why Public Transport Needs To Be More Reliable; Sophia Bueskens-Wong, Staff Blog Writer
“How many times have you stood at the bus stop, anxiously watching as your clock ticks further and further towards a time that none of us like: late?”
The blog discusses the importance of reliable public transport, adding the authors’ personal experience, which includes the delay of buses, the importance of sustainable public transport, and how the responsibility isn’t just for the common people but for EVERYONE to make an impact for sustainability, even if it starts small.
Always Aspiring; Lauren Campbell, Guest Writer
“Your taste does not match your skill. The artist's process then becomes wanting to be as good as your idols, yet not being that.”
The blog discusses the ‘Artist Gap Theory’, discussing how it can eventually turn into a spiral due to the gap in what you know and your skill level. The author breaks down the information presented well.
Trivialised Femininity: The Influence Of Women In Literature; Samantha Sz., Guest Writer
“Women have, and will continue, to influence literature.”
This blog made me say out loud “YASS QWEEN”, because I always love reading about women in literature and their influence, which has always been underpinned. The author of this blog has provided a well-researched blog from history to the contemporary situation of women authors.
We Were Always Here; Willa, Guest Writer
“Now, it is still difficult to set foot into the world as I am, to be so vulnerable, but I will do it.”
This blog talks about homophobia, the built-in fear of queer people and the social construct that fuels it all mixed with their personal experiences. The author rightfully so, with the title, tells us that in history, we were always present, but hate was chosen to be taught rather than the truth.
A Love Letter to the Boy I Kissed on New Year’s; JJ Baysinger, Guest Writer
“I was upside down when I fell for you.”
An open love letter. The author is bold, dreamy, and oddly comforting; the way words are crafted and follow here so naturally, I almost could see it vividly unfold as I read.
A Place in Bed Reserved for Love; Liberty Wilson, Guest Writer
“Being loved and feeling loved is a fantasy …….”
This blog is a beautifully written personal prose about the yearning of love and wanting to be loved. Every word seems to be written with such emotion that you don’t feel alone with your thoughts. Everything about this is…. So Castiel coded. [i.e., Castiel from Supernatural].
Bridging My Cultural Divide; Michaela William, Guest Writer
“Growing up, I didn’t know where I fit in.”
This blog is one of the most beautiful ‘coming – of – age’ and making peace with your heritage pieces. The way the author describes their journey to connect with their heritage and their journey towards it is one of the most sombre feelings ever.
Embracing Awkward Black Girlhood Through Music; Jazzeline Cager, Guest Writer
“Awkwardness is a staple of girlhood, whether we like it or not.”
This blog is all about teenage awkwardness and how music gives us a voice for things we may not be able to explain in words. The author shares their experience of Black girlhood and how music became a bridge from awkwardness to confidence.
Body, Pain, and Emptiness: The Dark Journey of Snakes and Earrings; Calypso Morgan, Guest Writer
“While I was scrolling on TikTok, I noticed something: a name was missing.”
This blog talks about women’s rage, mental health, and so much more, including the loss of meaningful books via social media trends. It discusses a powerful book that discovers these very themes without glorifying them, but rather portraying them the way they are.
That’s all for April! See you next time on Kiwi Bites!
Love and espresso,
Team Vellichor (but mostly Avis, Ella, and Ben)