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There’s No Place Like Here
“You people with hearts,” he said, “have something to guide you, and need never do wrong; but I have no heart, and so I must be very careful. When Oz gives me a heart, of course I needn’t mind so much.”
—L. Frank Baum
One thing I have been constantly bowled over by during my time at NonBinary Review is one of the main themes that weaves it way throughout the entirety of L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: the way that writers with brains, hearts and courage are often painfully unaware of the treasures that they’ve always held inside themselves. All too often, the submissions process runs parallel to Dorothy’s trip down the Yellow Brick Road. Writers seek out Great and Powerful Editor, who, like Oz, at the end of the day, is just a (wo)man behind the curtain—Pay us no attention! Focus on the magic of each issue! Every writer is on a quest to arrive at the Emerald City of publication. We each at times, wonder what would happen if we only had a brain, a heart, or courage—seemingly oblivious to the fact that in order to take even the first step, we must have all three.
Each writer encounters Witch Editors on their journey. Some of whom we would dearly love to drop a house on. Others offer us a pair of silver shoes, which reveal the strength we’ve always carried inside our writing. But what I have seen most of all, throughout each of NonBinary Review’s three issues, is how every story, poem, and piece of art that resonates with our editors and readers, is at its core, a search for the home that we’ve lost. How we lost that sense of place and home varies from storyteller to storyteller.
When L. Frank Baum began writing The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, he drew upon the influence of both the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is truly an “American fairy tale,” but like any good American, Baum put his own unique spin on the concept. For The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Baum deliberately deviated from the classic fairy tale trope. This departure delivers to readers a story that encompasses the wonder and magic of fairytales, but omits the violence and horror of the classic model. Essentially, Oz is an attempt to capture that magic that we all associate with “home”—the place where ideally, we all feel the safest and where our authentic selves had their beginnings. Though we leave our homes to strike out on that Yellow Brick Road on our way to many Emerald Cities, we each carry our own personal “Kansas” that guides us through forests and fields of poppies.
In this issue, you will hear from the Wicked Witch of the West, offering a different perspective to consider, one where the concepts of “wickedness” and “independent action” may not be as different as we’d like to believe. We will hear from Dorothy, at later stages in her life—back home in Kansas and after having returned to Oz—where she reflects on the ripple effect that her original trip created throughout the remainder of her life. The Tin Man will wonder whether or not asking for—and discovering—a heart was really what he thought it would be. After all, outside of Oz, having a breakable heart can be dangerous, painful business. You’ll be invited to discover the “personal Kansas,” sometimes literal, sometimes metaphorical, of our authors through their poems, essays, and stories.
I want you to remember, as you move through this issue, that each of these contributors has taken a journey to arrive here, in the Emerald City on your device. As editors, we ask that you pay no mind to us here behind the curtain—at the end of the day, this is all smoke and mirrors and illusion. The true magic is like The Scarecrow’s brain, the Tin Man’s heart, and the Lion’s courage: it’s traveled miles to arrive here, and yet, it’s been there all along, whether or not these authors knew it. Though the “personal Kansas” we all carry in our hearts and call “home” may not always be the places we choose for ourselves later in our lives, it echoes throughout our brains, our hearts, and provides us with the courage to keep it close while we search out our Emerald Cities.
Good Quadlings, this issue is a pair of Silver Shoes. The stories, poems, essays and art inside of it have wonderful powers. What a curious thing! They will carry you to any place in the world with just the click of a title, and each click can be made in the wink of an eye. Readers, all you have to do is to knock your heels together three times, and command the issue to carry you wherever you wish to go.
Are you ready?
There’s no place like home.
“No matter how dreary and gray our homes are, we people of flesh and blood would rather live there than in any other country, be it ever so beautiful. There is no place like home.”
Allie Marini
Morning: A Light in the Distance (cover)
MANDEM is the art name for Maize Arendsee, an art instructor and Studio Art MFA student at Florida State University, and her life-partner, Moco Steinman-Arendsee. MANDEM’s artwork is described as an exercise in categorical violations, simulation, and narrative. With an academic background in classical mythology, gender studies, and critical theory, MANDEM works across media and materials (painting, assemblage/collage, film, sculpture, and book-making), intentionally destabilizing genre in terms of content and media. MANDEM’s artwork has been widely exhibited in art galleries and museums, and it has been featured in over 100 publications.
Morning: A Light in the Distance was originally the cover for the album ReverbNation by Eternal Essence.
Living Like Lions and Bears
Sara’s work has appeared in Magpie Magazine, The Flagpole, The Dead Mule School of Southern Literature, Jabberwocky 3 and 5, Datura, Moon Milk Review, Luna Station Quarterly.
It did not matter so much
E. Kristin’s work has appeared in Post Road, Cimarron Review, [PANK], Asimov’s Science Fiction, Cicada and Abyss & Apex. Her chapbook A Guide For The Practical Abductee was released by Red Bird Chapbooks.
Heartless
Brian publishes comics through his own imprint, Cruel Productions, and has had a comic featured in Surreal Grotesque Magazine. One of his stories will be featured in the metal horror anthology, Axes of Evil II.
A Host of Vermillion Poppies (text)
LS is Fiction Editor for Prick of the Spindle, as well as serving as a reader for Electric Literature. LS also serves as a book reviewer for Brooklyner, The Rumpus, Press1, The Cider House Review, Small Beer Press.
Dorothy, Later in Life
Cathy co-edited Best of Manchester Poets vols. 1-3, and her latest collection, Look at All the Women, was published by Mother’s Milk Books in 2014.
X-Oz
CEE is said to have died by his own hand in October of 1979, but this item is apocryphal and cannot be independently verified. Inquiries regarding this individual utilizing the government hotline, are NOT recommended. Your call will be traced.
Dorothy
Annie is a 23-year-old musician and writer living in Oakland, CA. After spending two years as a touring musician and street performer, Annie has settled down (for now) and is focusing on producing original work.
The Ruby Slipper
Sarah is the supporting Editor to Cæsura magazine—poetry, prose, the written word makes her tick. She firmly believes that life is a test of language.
Trip to Oz
C. A. has been published in The Broken Plate, and various places on line.
Tin Man Sings the Blues
Emily is a poet and folksinger. Her debut solo album, I Wanna Know, was released in May of 2012. She really digs this issue, because she’s working on a book-length collection based on the Wizard of Oz.
The Orphan’s Pup
Flower is the author of Escape to Nowhere and The Awful Suicidal Swans. She is the winner of Radar Poetry’s first annual Coniston Prize. Her poetry has appeared in American Literary Review, Jai Alia, and other journals.
Glinda the Good
Hedwika’s fiction and poetry has been published in Red Paint Hill’s Mother is a Verb anthology, Swirl, the Inkling, and others. She is the Fiction Editor of Torrid Magazine and an Assistant Editor at Black Denim Lit.
The Sweet Scent of Death
Robert, a native Canadian and US citizen, is a former newspaper columnist and editor who now lives and writes in Tallahassee, FL.
Under the Shadow of Oz
Robin lives in Los Angeles, even when he doesn’t.
The Love Magnet
Elise’s works have been published by World Weaver and Tartarus Presses, and have appeared in Penumbra and The Enchanted Conversation, as well as stages and theaters all over the world.
Adventures in Another Land
Austin’s fiction has appeared in Cease, Cows, Flash: The International Short-Short Story Magazine, Gone Lawn, Extract(s), Eclectic Flash, First Stop Fiction, and others.
Mr. Wizard
Susan’s poems appear in 2River View, Crab Creek Review, Literal Latte, Museum of Americana, The Fourth River, Hamilton Stone Review, Naugatuck River Review and in Malala: Poems for Malala Yousafzai.
Green Ghost Explains: the History
Kate’s work has appeared in The Yellow Medicine Review, The Citron Review, The Stony Thursday Book, Danse Macabre, Memoir(and), The Mom Egg, Prick of the Spindle. She also edits 2 Bridges Review.
m and n: Wicked Witch of the West
Nettie is the author of Communion. Poems in the m and n series have been published previously in Oddville, Limestone, Pegasus, Slow Trains, and Bigger than They Appear: An Anthology of Very Short Poems.
Of Oz
AJ has appeared in Labletter, The James Dickey Review, Bone Orchard, EgoPHobia, Kritya, and Offerta Speciale, in which her work appeared in both English and Italian translation. She is the founding editor of Kind of a Hurricane Press.
Dorothy Tells It With a Sigh
Elizabeth’s poetry has appeared in The Mom Egg, and New Verse News, as well as in two book anthologies, B, and Veils, Halos, and Shackles: International Poems on the Abuse and Oppression of Women.
In Our Land of Oz
John’s poetry book, Murmurings of a Mad Man, was published by eLectio Publishing. He’s secretary of Rhyming Poets International and a member of Revolutionary Poet’s Brigade.
I, Quadling
Jennifer’s work has appeared in Prairie Schooner, Pleiades, Goblin Fruit, and Gingerbread House. She serves as the advisor for The Kudzu Review, FSU’s undergraduate literary journal.
The Yenta of Ros
Charie is the author of Squid Whores of the Futon Fish Market and has work in Axes of Evil, James Ward Kirk’s Memento Mori, Bones and Ugly Babies 2, and We Walk Invisible, among others.
The Witch’s Guard
David’s work has appeared in The Fairy Tale Whisperer; Modern Day Fairy Tales; Myths, Legends, and Fairy Tales; Father Grim’s Storybook, and Sorcerous Signals. His work is available through Amazon.
How to chop wood—the tin man’s explanation
Steve runs a local poetry group in Champaign, Illinois. His work includes poems in riverSedge Journal and The New Verse News.
Cottonwood
Kate teaches literature at University of Mississippi, is a bookseller at Square Books, and edits for Nautilus Publishing Company. She also reviews science fiction and fantasy for FantasyLiterature.com.
My Darling Trilby
Roger calls North Alabama home, and currently lives in Athens, Alabama. He enjoys the slow pace but not the humidity. Always an avid reader, he has recently turned to writing, concentrating on short stories and flash fiction.
Silver Slippers
Lennart is a short-fiction writer, poet, historian, and photographer. His work has appeared internationally since 1965. Len and his wife, Lin, live in northern Illinois.
The Wicked Witch of the East Confesses Her Love of Tap
Mary wrote Wolf Skin. Her work is in Painted Bride Quarterly, Pedestal Magazine, Los Angeles Review, New Delta Review, Word Riot, Poetry International, Apex Magazine.
The Royal Historian of Oz
Geoff is a quiet and humble hard working freelance writer and artist that resides in a heavily armed, fortified compound in Savannah, Georgia. His first graphic novel, The Mick, is available now from Red Handed Studios.
The Oz Cinquains
JB is the author of The Stations of the Cross, This Way To The Egress, and The City Of Now And Then. He has appeared in Inside/Out: A Gathering Of Poets; The Irreal Reader (Cafe Irreal); and Reflections on a Blue Planet.
Fearless
Nick writes about weird crime, bizarre history, pop culture, and humorous classroom experiences on RamblingBeachCat.com. He is a reviewer for AdventuresinPoorTaste.com. He can also be found on Twitter @NickNafster79.
Dorothy, Under the Bhodi Tree
N. is the editor-in-chief of Barking Sycamores. Their work has appeared in Hyperlexia, qarrtsiluni, Red Wolf, and Awe in Autism. They live in Grove City, Ohio with their fiancé.
Mother Cloud
Julia wrote The Isles Of Shoals Trilogy. She wrote the IPPY National Bronze Poetry Medalist Tahirih Unveiled, about Persia’s first women’s rights activist, and Tales Of The François Vase.
Since You Asked:
Jillian work has appeared in Heavy Feather Review, Cellar Door Anthology. Her chapbook, Pretty the Ugly was a finalist in the Emerge Literary Journal Chapbook Contest in 2013 and was published by ELJ Publications.
The Home Wish of the Good Quadlings
Winston has poetry in Turbulence magazine, The Best of Manchester Poets (vol 3) and The Found Poetry Review.
Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz at Closing Time
Madeline is an aspiring writer, previously published poet, and student currently living in the Midwest.
American Oz
JK teaches theatre and English at several local colleges, and is a Journeyman member of I.A.T.S.E. Local 42. Her essays have appeared in The Briar Cliff Review and ConnotationPress.
The Release of Ozma
Paul poetry has appeared in Potomac Review, Memoir Journal, Spry Literary Journal, and Foundling Review. He has been a Visiting Writer-in-Residence at Kingston University London.
The Stories
Michael poetry has appeared in Potomac Review, Memoir Journal, Spry Literary Journal, and Foundling Review. He has been a Visiting Writer-in-Residence at Kingston University London.
Dorothy Gale
Lorraine work has appeared in Strange Horizons, Hotel Amerika, Mad Scientist Journal, Gigantic Worlds, and elsewhere, and recently in the anthologies Phantom Drift, Wreckage of Reason and Drawn to Marvel.
A Host of Vermillion Poppies (art)
Stanko’s paintings depict familiar images such as sunflowers, beach scenes and even grilled cheese sandwiches with bright fields of color outlined in black, demonstrating Stanko’s unmistakable “New American” style.
Grown Dorothy Steps on the Scale
Jen works in family homeless services. Her work has recently appeared in Poetica Magazine and Wicked Banshee Press, and is featured in a micro-collection in ELJ Publications’ Wood Becomes Bone.
Dorothy’s Songs
Cetoria is a poet and fiction writer originally from South Georgia. Her work has previously appeared in Fairy Tale Review, Southern Women’s Review, LADYGUNN, and various others.
The Tin Man
Nathan is a poet and photographer living in Portland, Oregon. He’s had work in various publications, and is the author of two chapbooks: Junk Mail of the Heart, and The Dog Stops Here.
The Scarecrow in Kansas
Sessily is a regular contributor to Bookslut.
To(to)
Sarah poems have appeared or are forthcoming in Apeiron Review, Flycatcher, Great Weather for Media, Lunch Ticket, Rappahannock Review, and Vector Press, among others.