While there are several interpretations about the designation “Indian Summer,” there are legitimate indications that Native Americans in the United States started to observe this “season” within a season.   Without a doubt, there has to be a variety of weather conditions that must exist to apply this term.   Some folks say it started on November 2, while others suggest that it can not start until November 11 and end by November 20 th .   We say, “Regardless….” Well, when our former esteemed colleague Keith Leonard talked about having a summer/fall issue, little did we know (at that time) that he was wistfully itching for an issue that would be launched during “Indian Summer .”   Now that we exist with his ever present spirit, maybe he knew something that we did not.   Anyway… Here are a few more snippets from aaduna’s summer/fall 2015 contributors for you to savor and look forward to: Bruce Ellis Alford, (photo provided) Bruce Ellis Alford’s o...

PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES WHO MAY BE INTERESTED.  THANKS.  aaduna Literary's Writers Conference. New York City. LWC}NYC is a program of the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses [ clmp ] with The National Book Foundation, The New School Graduate Writing Program, Poets & Writers, The Association of Authors' Representatives and with support from Amazon Literary Partnerships . NOVEMBER 12-13, 2015 } A two-day conference for fiction, poetry, and creative-nonfiction writers learning how to maneuver in the marketplace. Meet writers, editors, agents, publicists and publishers. All conference events will be held at The New School, 63-5th Avenue, unless otherwise noted. Register now—space is limited! Price includes two working lunches and two one-on-one meetings with literary agents. Registration is capped at 100, so book soon to hold your spot! If you have questions, please email info@clmp.org Thursday November 12 § REGISTRATION & CHECK-IN 10:00...

The initial hesitancy and anxiety has given way to curiosity and wanting to know more.  New contributors…new work…new opportunities to re-imagine what you thought was intriguing…we will offer nutritious brain food...soon enough…these are samples from the tasting menu! Here are snippets from additional summer/fall 2015 contributors: Jacqueline Henry Hill’s excerpt from “Detour” goes straight to your soul, another errand, same instructions. go straight there. don’t stop. don’t talk to nobody. stay away from those boys.   come right back. a dripping sticky moistness attacks   her hairline, dark visage,   patent leather-shiny and dewy damp. an adventuresome spirit whispers a daring detour, safety secured by villagers, seen and unseen. Dean Hathout’s opening lines from “Walking Past my Dignity ” To their cars and shops, to the flower mart They hurriedly scurry along While I sleep on the streets, next to my cart In places they say I don’t...

Once you peek through the door or window, and see something that tantalizes your spirit, the expected reaction is to push open that access point a little more…to see more…hear more…. Here is that opportunity from the forthcoming issue of aaduna.   Nancy A. Jackson’s “Train Trip”…an opening snippet: The train ride wasn’t fun, like Mama promised. Instead it was hot and dark and smelled like sewer Stuff when the basement flooded and sludge reeked in the house. We cried for food until no more tears would come And Mama tried to feed me from her breast, But fear had ravaged even that most pivotal of meals. Jennifer Singleton’s excerpt from “Never Again/Is Such a Long Time (The First Break-up)” Never again, again and never It seems such a long path now: I follow it down to the water’s edge Picking my way across the rocks and Debris that collected In the wild flowers that grow there Die one day, live on the next/die the next day Tiffany L. ...

Beraha Sellem will capture your heart and gently ease you into the the soft winds floating through your imagination.  Here is a snippet from her untitled piece:   The homeless musician of Champs Elysées Plays an old jazzy piece with a rusty saxophone. The pure sound of his music pierces my heart. It sounds like my cry when we fell apart. I stop and I stare at him; a tear falls down Against his cheek, but he keeps playing. I feel his body shaking and his brown Eyes, full of pain, are bringing Me back to you. Love is killing us. Slowly. Surely. ***   Eloísa Pérez-Lozano shapes thoughts into understandings many of us have experienced.  From her "Distractions During Spanish Mass." a priest speaks clumsy Spanish his “oh’s” turn into “ows” and “eh’s” turn into “ay’s,” stumbling on the precipice of holy words in an alien tongue like a toddler who’s learned how to walk, his moving fee...

The passing of Keith Leonard had a profound affect on aaduna .   His spark, wit, graciousness, joie de vivre, and savoir faire framed most people’s initial contact with the journal.   While his spirit will continue to permeate what we do, we also know he would want us to get back to normalcy; “forget him,” and start to roar like we did when he was around.   Well, Leonard will not be forgotten.   While we are not quite ready to really roar, rest assured, we are moving back to normalcy at least at the hectic, controlled purposefulness, random craziness, and getting on each other’s nerves the way that we thrive on when getting an issue ready for launch. In a few weeks, you will be gently placed on words, phrases, sentences and paragraphs, and experience images that will have you travel to various and intriguing levels of your imagination.   The summer-fall 2015 issue contributing poets are Bruce Ellis Alford    ...

Sometimes it is easier to let experiences transform from yesterday to today into futile grasps of the future, slipping quietly, dripping like time measured in slow motion... Moving toward places and remembered times when there was a comfort, an inner reaction that empowers the spirit to find harmony with the universe And the inner emotions of solace and peace. Sometimes it is best to embrace even as the letting go is simultaneous when the kindness and generosity of people met for the first time permeates and then evaporates into painful memories of  abandonment and exile. Yesterday became today when the avoidable omissions slams consciousness back into darkened depths of despair and toxic understanding. And at some point in time when relevancy is a notion of creativity and hope is the coming of the gods, acceptance is forged with strength; the eternal path becomes clearer, and more purposeful. Then it is easier. bill berry, jr. (c) 2015 With a saddened hea...