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Putting together a literary journal is a passion project that relies on the ability to actually ...feel passion, which means that depression can be quite limiting. It has taken a lot to get the journal off the ground but months after our announcement, here we are: The Open Page launches with three competitions, short story writing, flash fiction and poetry. These entries caused an enjoyable amount of bickering as we all fought for our favourites. We heard from many talented writers who we hope to maintain contact with. I also had the privilege of talking to the debut novelist Rachel Edwards about her novel Darling. Rachel was very generous with her time and insights, and I’m very thankful that my first interview was with such a warm and thoughtful person.

 

Thank you to the editorial staff for being responsive and enthusiastic company, and for the many interesting discussions we had about the definitions of good writing. Sometimes this comes down to style alone, other times subject matter, but more usually it’s a balance of the two. We want to see work that means something to the author, and that evokes a strong reaction in us. We also want to see quiet and thoughtful work that we might have to read several times to truly allow it to sink in. Our intention is that The Open Page will become a place for all kinds of writing styles and formats, so long as what’s on the page elicits a genuine response.

 

Thank you to all the authors who took the time to submit to us, and to you for reading.

 

Cat Hall, Editor