Our Philosophy

Storytelling is an integral part of the human experience. Even before there was a written language, people told stories as a means of preserving the ideals and events important to their time. The creation of the alphabet allowed for these histories to be written down and preserved, thus forming the foundation of the literary canon that we know today.

Though largely excluded from the canon until modern times, the presence of some early female authors, for example the Greek poet Sappho (circa 630 b.c.), reminds us that women writers have always been with us. Limits imposed by culture, status, access to education, and censorship, however, have contributed greatly to the silencing of women's voices.

Our Literary Roots

Her Circle Ezine debuted as an online literary magazine in September 2005, featuring four departments. Stories found in "What She Knows" sought to explore the multiplicity of women's realities and to identify prescribed modes of behavior for women throughout the world. In "Breaking Form" we find works that represent a departure from those realities and behaviors. Stories in "War Cry" denote the role of women in conflicts, both the theoretical and the physical. And finally, in "Transcending Bounds" authors attempted to re-imagine the many worlds of women, offer words of inspriration, and to foster a sense of community.

Magnolia Journal

After fielding many requests for a print version of the Her Circle literary ezine, literature submissions were closed in the Spring of 2007 to begin plans for a print journal. Magnolia: A Journal of Women's Literature will begin accepting submissions in the Fall 2008.

Further announcements, including the opening of submissions to Magnolia, will be made here and directly to our mailing list. To be notified when submissions for the print journal open, subscribe to our mailing list today.