Mouse Tales Press Blog

Pushcart Prize Nominations Announced

2014-11-23T23:14:00.000-08:00

Although the deadline for Pushcart Prize nominations snuck up on me this year, I am getting our nominations mailed out this week; a huge thank you to Carrie Wicks for assisting in the selection process.

I am very happy to announce the pieces we have chosen.

Poetry
“Stillborn in Hokkaido” by Kate Garnett
“Under the Lights” by Holly Day
“The Last Visit” by Linda Hofke
“Butterfly Effect” by Clinton Van Inman
“Without a Moonguide” by Lori DeSanti

Short Story
“Ode to Joy” by M. E. Kopp

Congratulations and good luck to all of our nominees! And thank you so much to all of the writers, artists, and photographers who shared your work with us this year!

*****

Four Years of Mouse Tales Press

2014-08-03T14:05:00.001-07:00

Shortly after I started Mouse Tales Press, I asked my friend Elizabeth Johnson if she would be interested in copyediting for the site.

At that time, we published monthly issues and were strictly an online magazine. We became so busy that we switched to a quarterly schedule in hopes of easing the load. We also began a print version at MagCloud in order to try to earn funds to cover the hosting fees I had been paying out of pocket up until then. (While sales have been slow, they have been covering those fees, thankfully.)

But the quarterly plan did not ease our schedules. Submissions kept rolling in and the print version provided a new series of tasks in our busy lives.

With all of this growth comes change. Elizabeth, a very busy and in-demand copyeditor, has decided to step down from her volunteer position here with us.

I have no doubts that much of the magazine’s success has come from her “partnership” with me. She has been an amazing co-worker, friend, and a highly reputable copyeditor. I wish her much success in her future endeavors.
And now Mouse Tales Press is about to celebrate four years.

What about Our Future?

I have to admit that I had a moment of doubt about the future of Mouse Tales Press when she resigned. How would I ever go on without her?

Soon my love for the job overcame my fear. The magazine has meant too much to me for me to quit. Not only have I had this wonderful opportunity to work closely with her, but also to get to know so many writers I may not have had the chance to interact with otherwise.

For now, there will be an October issue. I will announce in another post who will be taking on the role of copyeditor.

After October, I may be taking a hiatus to rework the site. I'm also considering looking for at least one other helper. Someone to handle the blogging, the marketing, or initial weeding of the submissions before they come to me. I will keep you posted. (If this sounds interesting to you, please send me a message at submissions(at)MouseTalesPress(dot)com.)

In the meantime, thank you all so much for your support. And thank you again to Elizabeth for putting her heart and time into Mouse Tales Press.

* * * * *

Celebrating the Print Version of the July Issue

2014-07-28T10:14:00.000-07:00

Today marks the release of the print version of the July issue, fifty pages of poetry, artwork, and photography. The gorgeous cover photo is by Renee Choi; you can see more of her photography at Crazy Camera Gal.

Please visit MagCloud at the below link to buy your very own copy.

Mouse Tales Press, Print Issue No. 5, July 2014

By Linda G Hatton in Mouse Tales Press Literary Magazine

50 pages, published 7/25/2014

July 2014 - The fifth print edition offered by Mouse Tales Press. Featuring poetry by Jeff Burt, Lori DeSanti, Chad Forbregd, John Grey, Art Heifetz, Linda Hofke, Dr. Nurit Israeli, Laura McKee, Stanley Noah, Simon Perchik, Clinton Van Inman, and David Walker; photography by Rebecca Barray, Renee Choi, Michelle Hed, and Linda Hofke; and artwork by Elena Botts and Clinton Van Inman.

* * * * *

As mentioned in an earlier blog post, please stay tuned for an announcement about the future of Mouse Tales Press. Thank you!

* * * * *

Composing Stories from Stone in the April Issue

2014-07-28T10:01:00.001-07:00

Our former issues are still available for purchase. The gorgeous cover photo from April was taken by Rebecca Barray; please visit her blog to see more of her work.

You may view a sample of the April issue or buy your own copy through the link below.

Mouse Tales Press, Print Issue No. 4, April 2014

By Linda G Hatton in Mouse Tales Press Literary Magazine

54 pages, published 4/15/2014

April 2014 - The fourth print edition offered by Mouse Tales Press. Featuring stories by Max Detrano and Robert Wexelblatt; poetry by Gene G. Bradbury, Adam Cameron, Aaron Caycedo-Kimura, Lori DeSanti, A.J. Huffman, Mark J. Mitchell, and David Walker; artwork by Mel Bohrer; and photography by Rebecca Barray, Jennifer J. Chow, and Linda Hofke.

* * * * *

Please check back soon for an announcement about the future of Mouse Tales Press. Thank you!

* * * * *

Prepare for Flight in 2014 with Mouse Tales Press

2014-01-20T16:45:00.000-08:00

Welcome to 2014 and the third print version of Mouse Tales Press, the January 2014 issue, which brings with it the addition of photographers to our publication.

Contributors include:

Stories by Gene G. Bradbury, Kelsey Dembowski, and M. E. Kopp; poetry by Adam Cameron, Holly Day, Andrew Harmon, Sarah Page, Victoria Peterson-Hilleque, Jazmin Sharif; and photography by Rebecca Barray, Bolton Carley, and Michelle Hed.

If you are interested in submitting works of art or photography (or both) to be considered for inclusion in future issues of the magazine, please watch for a “call for submissions” on our Facebook page.

We will hope you will remember to also visit the online version of Mouse Tales Press!

Thank you for stopping by!

****

Mouse Tales Press News (and Pushcart Prize Nominations)

2013-11-14T12:55:00.004-08:00

Typesetting Before Computers

Meet Our Proofreader

September 2013 marked three years since the birth of Mouse Tales Press; it has been a wonderful ride so far and I’m happy to report that this year we began offering a print version of each issue, available through the print-on-demand service Mag Cloud. This change has brought with it the need for a proofreader, which brings me to the very happy announcement that Carrie Wicks has joined our (now three-person) crew.

Carrie has an extensive background as a proofreader and editorial assistant, among other things. Please watch for an updated “About” section on our website where you will be able to read her full bio.

Pushcart Prize Nominations

In other news, since bringing Carrie on board, we have been hard at work selecting our Pushcart Prize nominations for 2013. Many thanks go to Khara House of Our Lost Jungle for assisting in making the final poetry selections.

Our nominations are as follows:

Short Stories

“Pentecost” by Robert Boucheron
“Saving Turtles” by Mike Cavanaugh
“Tandem” by Patsy Helmetag

Poetry

“The Beauty of a Skunk Cabbage” by Lori DeSanti
“I Think This Happened” by Valerie Loveland
“Lunas” by Max West

A big thank you to everyone for your continued support of Mouse Tales Press!

*****

Happy Anniversary!

2013-09-05T17:57:00.002-07:00

Dear Readers,

Normally I like to keep Mouse Tales Press and my "other" work separate, but September is an important month. If you are curious about what I mean, you can read more at the whatnot shop.

In the meantime, you can help us celebrate by purchasing a copy of our July 2013 magazine, still available at Mag Cloud.

Thank you for your support!
Truly yours,
--Linda G Hatton

Happy Anniversary!

*****

Mouse Tales Press - Now Available In Print

2013-07-10T10:44:00.001-07:00

The big announcement is here!

With the shift to a quarterly publication schedule, Mouse Tales Press is now offering hard copies of the magazine for sale through Mag Cloud for just $13 plus shipping. This price also currently offers a free digital copy of the magazine.

I hope you will consider supporting our small press by purchasing a copy or two and/or sharing through social media.

As always, we publish writers in all stages of their careers.

This issue includes:

medium tales, aka short stories

Rebecca Barray -: My Angel

Jeannine Bergers Everett -: Twelve Steps

Cory Wheeler Mimms -: The Quietus of Poor Mr. Moretti

short tales, aka poetry

Cassie Ciopryna -: Loving Him

Joy Ladin -: Indian Takeout; Aubade; Nasia's Anger

Valerie Loveland -: I Think This Happened

Shawnte Orion -: Latchkey Lesson Plan; Stray Dawn

Janette Schafer -: Cologne; The Naming

J.lynn Sheridan -: Catching love; The spinning fire

As of September 2013, Mouse Tales Press will be heading into its fourth year. Thank you so much for your continued support.

*****

New Mouse Tales Press Schedule

2013-04-16T11:15:00.000-07:00

Mouse Tales Press - Born in 2010

In September 2010, I decided to start a website.

My father had recently died, and the name Mouse Tales Press popped into my head. As some of you may have read before, “Mouse” was the childhood nickname given to me by my father, so I named the site in his honor.

My initial idea was to create a children’s literary magazine. However, after I posted submission listings in various places over the Internet and I began receiving responses, the site shifted. Most of my submissions were geared towards adults, so I changed the background from a picture of cheese to vintage paper.

A few months in, when I realized Mouse Tales Press was receiving more attention than I had anticipated, I invited my editor friend, Elizabeth Johnson, to join me.

Thus, Mouse Tales Press became what it has been until now, a monthly publication, run by me and Elizabeth.

Not to sound cheesy (pun intended), but Elizabeth is a delight to work with!

We are still growing, and with this expansion, we have decided that it is now time to shift Mouse Tales Press to a quarterly schedule.

Our new publication calendar will be January, April, July, and October of each year, which puts our next scheduled issue due out in July 2013.

We are happily accepting submissions while in transition; stay tuned for another post regarding updated submission guidelines.

*****

An Important Announcement (Coming Soon)

2013-04-09T22:53:00.000-07:00

Wanted: Your Attention

Sorry, we are not offering any rewards. But we do have an important announcement coming soon. Keep your eyes and ears open.

In the meantime, please enjoy the April issue.

And thank you for your continued support!

*****

The April Issue of Mouse Tales Press

2013-04-01T10:21:00.001-07:00

Wow! April is here and I am not fooling when I say the new issue is available for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!

*****
MEDIUM TALES, AKA SHORT STORIES

Jennifer Chow -: The Red Book

Melodie Corrigall -: Quentin Blue Heron

Robert Wexelblatt -: The Sadness of Emperor Wen

SHORT TALES, AKA POETRY

Connor Blacksher -: Love In a Time of Workhouses

A.J. Huffman -: Clinophiliac; because peace

Rebecca Simas -: Wooden Heart

*****

March 2013 Issue

2013-03-17T13:34:00.001-07:00

Wow! March 17 already??

If you haven't yet stopped by to read the current issue, please make sure you stop by before March turns to April.

*****

MEDIUM TALES, AKA SHORT STORIES

Breanna Bright -: Paper Lanterns

Alice Longaker -: Rockabye Gone

Melissa R. Mendelson -: Bittersweet Farewells

Sopphey Vance -: Nancy's Kitchen Dancer

*****

SHORT TALES, AKA POETRY

A. J. Huffman -: With Sleep

Jesse King -: Poem

*****

February Issue

2013-02-01T07:35:00.001-08:00

Yes, February is here. I can't help but wonder where January went. As last month's lovely pieces went to the archives, six wonderful pieces took their places. Enjoy!

*****

MEDIUM TALES, AKA SHORT STORIES

Robert Boucheron -: Pentecost

Mike Cavanaugh -: Saving Turtles

SHORT TALES, AKA POETRY

Jesse King -: Poetry

Jade Kolbo -: The Kind Winter Lantern

Kristi Nimmo -: In the Circus of Autumn

Piper Lauri Salogga -: nature’s opera

*****

Pushcart Prize Nominations

2012-11-19T09:41:00.000-08:00

Our Pushcart Prize nominations have been mailed. What a difficult decision considering how much we love the outstanding writing from each of our contributors.

Our nominations are as follows:

Poems –

Explaining (Chronic Depression) by David Russomano (published May 2012)
River by Chris Kobylinsky (published July 2012)
Lonely in Peru by Karina van Berkum (published May 2012)

Short Stories –

The Bell Ringer by Robert Boucheron (published April 2012)
Camp Kusini by Finley Pines (published May 2012)
Memories I Cannot Recall by Mercedes Lucero (published August 2012)

To our contributors and our readers, thank you for your continued support of Mouse Tales Press.

***

Pushcart Prize Nominations

2012-11-08T09:24:00.002-08:00

Photo by Mateusz Stachowski

It’s official.

Mouse Tales Press is sending out nominations for the 2013 Pushcart Prize. Its Best of the Small Presses series, published every year since 1976, is known as “the most honored literary project in America.”

The competition is fierce. Magazine and small book press editors (both print and online) may nominate up to six of “any combination of poetry, short stories, essays, or literary whatnot.”

We have been thinking hard about our decision, reading through all of the wonderful poems and short stories that appeared on our website in 2012.

Please stop by again after we finish our nomination process on November 15, at which time we will announce our nominees.

Thanks for your continued support of Mouse Tales Press.

*****

Be sure to check out the November issue of Mouse Tales Press.
Participate in Robert Lee Brewer's Poem-a-Day Chapbook Challenge.

*****
.

November Issue

2012-11-07T09:17:00.000-08:00

The November issue is now online. Please enjoy - and leave a comment if you have a moment.

Thanks for reading!

medium tales, aka short stories

Gene G. Bradbury -: Gilbert's Dilemma

Melodie Corrigall -: Cyclops, One

short tales, aka poetry

Patricia Bruce -: Who Feels?

Joe Gianotti -: Sunyata

Mike Perkins -: Service at Eventide

Daniel Wilcox -: Face-Overs

The October Issue of Mouse Tales Press

2012-10-01T00:57:00.000-07:00

Just a quickie update to let you all know that the October issue is now online. This month we have our usual number of short stories (two), but instead of our standard four poets, we have five.

Enjoy!

Short Stories

Mike Cavanaugh -: The Edge

Kate LaDew -: The Gutter and the Stars

Poetry

Virginie Colline -: Black and White Haiku
(accompanied by illustration by Antonin Crenn)

Elizabeth Farrell -: Modern Haiku

Colleen Fullin -: Heart

Chris Russell -: Amateur Necromancy

George Such -: i'm inside

A Special Announcement for Our Writers

2012-09-23T14:08:00.003-07:00

I haven't officially announced it on the Mouse Tales Press Facebook page or blog yet. But if you want to get ahead of the game, check out my other blog where I unofficially announce what my editor, Elizabeth Johnson, and I are up to. You will have to read my post, "Nourishing the Soul (and Stomach) with Creativity" to find it though. :-)

Happy Sunday!

Inspiration by M. Eileen Bohrer

2012-06-21T08:25:00.000-07:00

She sat, writing lines
About bucolic meadows,
Peaceful streams and birds.
Unaware of the
Earwig about to ascend
The slope of her leg.
Inspiration.

M. Eileen Bohrer is an artist who likes to write poetry and inspirational articles; some of her written works have appeared on Buddha Chick Life online magazine. You can find some of her photography and other artwork on her Wordpress blog, Melzzartt, or on her Facebook art page.

*****

Like the Mouse Tales Press Facebook page.
Follow Mouse Tales Press on Twitter.

*****

One Hundred Leaves - A Collection of One Hundred Tanka Poems

2012-06-07T09:05:00.000-07:00

From the moment I picked up One Hundred Leaves, a translation of “one hundred poems from one hundred Japanese poets,” I was enamored. The lovely photo on the cover, even the smooth feel in my hands drew me in, but the best part waited inside.

Its analysis of the Japanese poetry now commonly referred to as tanka, includes a description of how visual images, pivot and pillow words, nature, season and time of day, and overall experience were handled during the time frame from when these poems were written, the 7th to the 13th century.

Turn the page to another world and discover a piece of Japanese artwork, each poem in its original Japanese form with a pronunciation guide, Blue Flute’s translation, poem author name with birth and death dates, and literal notes regarding the translation.

For any poetry lover or fan of Japanese culture, this is a beautiful book to add to a collection.

One Hundred Leaves: A new annotated translation of the Hyakunin Isshu [Paperback] Blue Flute (Author)

*****

Check out short stories and more poetry on Mouse Tales Press.
Connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Pinterest!
Sign up for email updates from this blog by signing up in the box above my profile photo at the top of the page.

*****

Making a Poetry Chapbook

2012-05-24T17:11:00.004-07:00

The question of the day seems to be, "What is a chapbook?" There is a great answer at Writer's Digest.

I'm putting one together for a class I'm taking and I'm about three-fourths of the way through.

Read about my experience at the whatnot shop.

Poems, Poems, Poems

2012-05-17T14:56:00.001-07:00

My son came home with a gift for me today. A book of poetry he wrote in his 4th grade class.

It made me cry. I guess I have another poet in the family. Here is one selection:

         I wish I could fly.
         Like a bird.
         And dream about falling off a cliff.
         I am flying over the sea.
         I used to swim all day.
         But now I want to fly.
         I seem to make a house.
         But I'm really me.

By Miles Hatton, Age 9 (when he wrote it)

*****

Check out short stories and more poetry on Mouse Tales Press.
Connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Oh, and I'm now on Pinterest!
Sign up for email updates from this blog by signing up in the box above my profile photo at the top of the page.

*****

Book Spine Poetry

2012-05-14T14:27:00.001-07:00

A friend that I met through My Name is Not Bob’s Platform Challege was inspired to create a Bookshelf Poetry Challenge.

Spine Poetry is a bunch of books stacked up to create a poem from the titles on the book spines.

I raided my kids’ bookshelves for this one – and then also tossed in a couple of my favorites.

Amazon inserted more information than I included.

Here is how I wrote out my poem (see below for Amazon's version):

   Dear Children of the Earth, (A Letter From Home),
      How to Be An Explorer of the World:
   Vacation Under the Volcano
   Picnic, Lightning,
   dream of night,
   Ask and It is Given
   Good night,
   Moon

Dear Children of the Earth: A Letter from Home [DEAR CHILDREN OF THE EARTH -OS]
How to Be an Explorer of the World: Portable Life Museum
Vacation Under the Volcano (Magic Tree House, No. 13)
Picnic, Lightning
Dream of Night
Ask and It Is Given: Learning to Manifest Your Desires
Goodnight Moon

*****

Read More Spine Poetry:

*****

Visit my Bouts-Rimeś challenge at the whatnotshop.

*****

Raychelle Writes: The Writer's Block Interviews

2012-05-08T13:17:00.001-07:00

Raychelle Muhammad was kind enough to interview me and post it on her blog. Check it out and learn how Mouse Tales Press came to be.

Thanks, Raychelle!

*****

Connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Read my other blog, the whatnot shop.
Visit Mouse Tales Press.
Sign up for email updates from this blog by signing up in the box above my profile photo at the top of the page.

*****

Submission Guidelines Update

2012-04-22T15:58:00.000-07:00

In September 2010, I decided to create Mouse Tales Press. Mouse was my childhood nickname given to me by my father; he had died recently, so I named it in his honor.

What did I want to gain from the experience? I had two main goals:

1) To help keep my knowledge of web coding fresh in my brain.
2) To encourage emerging writers by publishing their work.

I started by creating a basic page and placing “Submissions Wanted” ads in Craigslist. I figured I would get a trickle of writers sending in their works. Yet by December 2010, I was swamped with submissions.

My initial intent was to send personalized responses to each writer; I was able to keep that up for a few months. However, since running the site was my side job, and the submissions kept coming, I decided it was probably unrealistic to respond to each one personally. Instead I set up an automatic message to be sent to each submitter, asking them to re-send their work if they haven’t heard back within a certain time frame.

I have been known to place a piece inside a “maybe” folder and accidentally overlook it. Sometimes I make mistakes.

Each month, when I put together the new issue for the month, I add in small features to the website as well. I tweak things here and there.

Now I’m tweaking my submission guidelines.

Initially inspired by my daughter's writing talent (she has won numerous awards; you can read a sampling of her work on Storybird), I started Mouse Tales Press with the intention of publishing works for and by children.

However, as writers began sending me their work, I came to realize that I wanted the site to be for adults rather than children. Even so, I didn’t want to have to place a disclaimer on the site warning of “adult” content, such as stories with sexual content. The line is fuzzy. Stories come in that may have mention of the word sex, but are not centered around this theme. In cases such as these, I may be more open to placing the works.

As usual though, please refrain from sending in graphically violent or sexual works. Please feel free to email Mouse Tales Press with any questions.

Happy submitting!

*****

Connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Sign up for email updates from this blog by signing up in the box above my profile photo at the top of the page.

• In the meantime, please read our formatting preferences.
• Working on a novel? Wait no more.

*****