Emerge Literary Journal: 2026

Editor’s Note

Welcome to Emerge Literary Journal’s Issue 36! What a joy and honor it has been to put together this gorgeous collection of fiction and creative nonfiction pieces. It is always a most happy surprise when I discover themes in common among the selections. For fiction this time around, you will encounter several odd, unexpected, and lovely friendships; a few ghosts; a new take on old mythology; and some dark humor—even a piece about time travel. The creative nonfiction pieces are slower paced and lyrical. Many involve music, remembrances of childhood, home, hearts, loss. You will want to linger on these, savor the beautiful, moving words.

Poetry and Esperanza’s Corner will return in our next issue. Alisha Escobedo, our beloved Poetry Editor, is leaving Emerge, as she will be exploring new avenues of learning and growth. We wish her all the very best, always. Joining our masthead as Poetry Editor beginning with Issue 37, is Heather Mackay Young, a gorgeous poet, skilled editor, healer and graduate of The Glasgow School of Art. Heather lives and writes on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland, and we are very excited to welcome her aboard.

When the world feels like it is spinning at dizzying speed, as it often does these days, I find there is nothing more grounding than story. Our wish at Emerge is that our journal will provide some needed grounding, nurturance, and healing for our readers. As you sit with Issue 36 and connect with our contributors’ words, we hope you will feel like you’ve spent some time with a cherished friend.

XOXO
Diane

Be Well. Write Well. Read Well.