Editor’s Note
Dear reader,
Thank you for stopping by FLARE Magazine and reading this issue! I’ve been pleasantly surprised about how well FLARE has done and how much it excites those with chronic illness, disabilities, and mental health to have a space to express themselves. I wanted to put forth a Valentine’s Day issue, where writers and artists focus on the body, the mind, and Valentine’s Day. I hoped for pieces that challenged these issues as well as described what love means to them, ultimately exploring body positivity, self-love, and self-acceptance, and I believe this issue is a huge success with the turnout FLARE received.
If you’re feeling generous, FLARE has a GoFundMe page with a goal to pay contributors in the future. You can donate here!
If you’re feeling really generous, and you love the work I’m doing, I have a tip jar (**I am 100% a volunteer for this magazine and do not get paid for my work). You can tip here!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading, sharing, and submitting to FLARE! Keep spreading the word about this magazine through word of mouth, social media, etc. Let’s make a difference together!
With love,
Kelly Esparza
Editor-in-Chief of FLARE Magazine
Poetry
- Archiel Valentine – “how to hold a ceasefire”
- Ave Jeanne Ventresca – “Portrait in Burnt Sienna / woman in shame”
- Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD, NCC – “My Friend, My Warrior, My OCD”
- Dawn Levitt – “Asking the Body”
- Ferdinand, Emmanuel Somtochukwu, Swan XXI – “Do You?”
- Jordan Wilson – “An Oriphory on healing”
- Katie Clarkson – “Attached”
- M. S. Marquart – “Love Letter to My ME/CFS, Long Covid Body”
- Muhaeez Olawale – “Forever & the Day After” and “Skygazing”
- Sita Gaia – “Love to This Faulty Body”
- Zachery May – “I love you for the life you let me live”
Flash Fiction
- Katie Collan – “Stalled”
Creative Nonfiction
- Luanne Castle – “My Avatar Has Been Shot From Different Directions”
- Marcia Yudkin – “Betrayed From Within”
Art
- Katie Larson – “Champagne and Chocolate”
- Mario Loprete – “Untitled”
- Winniefred Sharp – “Love Spine”
Thank you for reading our Valentine’s Day issue!
Author spotlights will start on February 15, 2025 on our social media accounts.