Zine-Thyme

Welcome to Zine~Thyme. A column dedicated to interviewing Ezine owners and Authors.

Much of the information I acquire will be in question and answer format. Unchanged answers will be in “ ”. Some information I will condense.

This month, I would like to introduce you to Kristen Biss. Owner and Editor of Voices Online Literary Magazine.

Kristen is following her dreams in establishing an online Ezine for writers, artists and photographers.

The first issue of “Voices” came online in June, 2001, and is now published quarterly with the seasons. Included in each issue are about thirty pages of poetry, art, and photography. The magazine can be read online or downloaded as an e-book.

“Topic and form range widely, yet all manage to uncover new truths, or help us rediscover old forgotten truths, to see things in a different light.” Kristen Biss.

In writing, Kristen is looking for poetry that has a good sound, original thoughts, and the use of original metaphor.

Any scan-able artistic medium, digital art, photos, drawings or paintings, “that show passion and inspiration” are also considered.

Kristen does accept simultaneous submissions but prefers not to.

Copyrights are one-time electronic rights, all rights revert to author after publication.

On to the questions;

Of course, I had to ask Kristen if she is a writer too.

“Yes, I'm a writer, as I'm sure many editors are! I write mostly poetry, though I've been known to write a short story here and there. I just love the freedom poetry allows--even just the length, the line breaks, the punctuation...all these conventions can be manipulated just as well as the words used to give meaning and life to the poem. Sound has always been a big part of my poetry, though not intentionally at first...I believe the sound of the poem is just as important (if not more so) than what the poem is actually saying. What inspires me most right now is change. I have gone though many personal changes in my life in the past few years, overcoming obstacles I did not anticipate, and it's given me a new perspective on struggle and personal redemption and reflection.”

Kristen also believes using her real name is important in creating credibility among her contributors and readers.

I wanted to know if Kristen hoped to make her living as a writer?

“I think I have always thought of writing as something I would do "on the side," a favorite hobby to come back to after a day's work. I do however dream of making a living teaching writing, or at the very least working in an industry with writing as a focus. No matter what I do, I know writing will come into play some how, whether it is inherent in the position, or if I have to bring it in myself!”

And if she worked a day job?

“Several! Data Entry at the University in the mornings, Web Design for a University based research project during the lunch hour, and data entry for a different department at the University for the rest of the afternoon (about 35hours a week total). I am also finishing up my B.A. in Sociology, minor in (what else!) creative writing, though I work fewer hours during the school year.”

[Even with this schedule Kristen spends about an hour daily handling submissions. The month before publication approximately two to five hours a night preparing the e-book and the online version of Voices.]

What inspired her to start an Ezine?

“I began with a web page devoted to my writings, which evolved into a site where I would post writings of others as well. After about a year of working on this site, adding monthly contests, starting up online writing workshops, and showcasing over 50 authors, I decided to create a "real" literary magazine.

The participants in my workshops really encouraged me, and gave me great suggestions on what they enjoy most about other literary magazines.

Starting a literary magazine has been a goal of mine for quite some time.

As the editor for my high school literary magazine, I toyed around with the idea of "someday" starting my own literary magazine, but felt I would never be able to afford the printing cost.

When I got to college and became more involved with the Internet, I realized that I could achieve my dream of creating a quality literary magazine with very little upfront cost.

I couldn't have done it without the support from the writers in the workshops I taught (and still teach)--they helped me find writers, and lent me their talents for the first issue, and overall made it an incredible experience!”

“I spent quite some time debating with myself over the name of the magazine. My original site was called "Perspectives", and I retained that name for the workshops, but I wanted something different, a magazine that would stand on its own.

Around that period of time my boyfriend and I watched the Anime­ (name for Japanese Animation) movie "Macross Plus" and I fell in love with the title song, "Voices." The song inspired me in a way no other song has, and I knew that was the perfect name for the magazine. I also liked the name because it references the diverse voices that are put forth through the writing that is featured in each issue.”

I asked Kristen what she sees happening in the future for “Voices”.

“I hope to continue publishing for years to come, hopefully with a once-a-year print component to follow in the future.”

Sounds good to me!

Is an ezine hard work or a labor of love?

“It’s both at times, but overall a labor of love. I can’t imagine not working on it as much as I do, and I hope to someday have the freedom to devote even more time to the magazine.”

Do you think ezines will become the magazines of the future?

”I think ezines will serve a purpose in the future, just as print will. There will always be big magazines out there who serve a general audience, but ezines have the unique ability to be both relatively inexpensive to start up and highly specialized. This will appeal to many people, so while I don't think print magazines will die out, I do believe that ezines will continue to grow in number and readership.”

Do you feel that writers that submit to ezines are less qualified than writers that submit to paper magazines?

”Yes and no. I think submitting to a paper magazine is a more involved process, and so it does weed out some of the "less dedicated" writers. That said, generally writers who submit online are just as qualified as those who submit to paper magazines. I have read print magazines that featured work I disliked, and read online magazines with work I adored...and vice versa, so I don't think the medium of submission/publication plays a big part in how qualified the writers are.”

Do you feel the Internet has helped writers? In what way?

”Definitely in some ways, not in others. The internet provides a wonderful resource for writers--they can join online writing groups, taking online writing classes, post their writing in message boards and "live journals", and find multitudes of information about nearly every aspect of the art of writing. It also allows more writers to be published, as often online markets are not as hard to get in to, as well as allowing the writer to simply "self-publish" their work to their own personal website. The downside, though, is all these writers looking for online publication are vulnerable to scams that play on their inexperience, and there are many internet based scams out there geared towards writers (most notably poetry.com, but there are others). So, like anything, there is an upside and a downside, though I do think the benefits outweigh any negative aspects.”

Do you feel writers need a formal education? Why or why not.

”Not necessarily. I think a good foundation in English literature and grammar is really helpful. Usually writers who have had a good background in this subject are easy to spot--their work tends to be "richer", better at using metaphor, and tends to have more depth. This is not to say that an advanced education is essential though. Basically a constant growing is all I think is 100% necessary for a writer, whether this growing is through formal education, personal reading, or some other means. Whether formal or not, all writers need to be good readers. Good reader-writers are easy to spot as well, for the same reasons those writers with a formal education are. The more language one is exposed to, the better the writing tends to be.”

Has the Internet helped your efforts in writing?

”Yes, it has helped me help so many people, though workshops and publishing, and I myself have grown in my writing from these interactions. In general, it has been wonderful finding others with similar interests, brought together from different sides of the globe simply by our passion for writing. It is an incredible thing to be a writer in this digital age!”

Last but not least, any personal information Kristen would like to share follows;

Hmm, As far as relationship status goes, I've been with my partner Keith for 5 ½ years now, we met when I was a sophomore and he was a junior in high school, and we're still going strong.

I'm currently a full time college student (taking summers off to work full time.) I'll start my last year in the fall, working towards a degree in Sociology with a minor in creative writing. I'm at Western Illinois University, which is located in a rural town in central Illinois. I chose it because rural living wasn't something I had ever experienced. But I have to say I am looking forward to living in a big city when I go to grad school next year. I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, and I have spent 3+ years now in Illinois, so I figure city living is the next lifestyle I'd like to try out. I'm hoping Seattle will be that city.

I'm the oldest of 4 children, and I adore my siblings--they often are inspiration for my poetry. My sister and I are close in age, 2.5 years apart, while my brothers are much younger.

”My parents always encouraged me to read as a child--I was quite a bookworm and that contributed greatly to my interest in the magic of language. Since I was incredibly shy, this expression manifested itself through the written word.

I love taking on projects, I always have, which is one reason I find running Voices so satisfying--it is a constant project, always evolving and engaging.”

All in all, I find Kristen is hard working, dedicated to writing, and a delightful person to interview.

The work I have read and seen on her ezine is of outstanding quality and I look forward to her email announcement of each new issue.

Whether looking for something good to read or a place to submit your work, you can’t go wrong visiting Voices Online Literary Magazine.

Go forth and enjoy yourself!

Disclamer: Any resemblance to any fictitious character is purely coincidental and all interviewees are genuinely human and not a figment or fragment of this writers imagination.

All information is current at the time of submission to “The Stump”

Interview approved by….. Kristen Biss