In this post, we’ll be hearing from Garrett Souliere, Editor/Founder of Quibble Literary Journal. Garrett tells us the story behind Quibble’s founding, describes how the journal has and continues to evolve, and shares inspiring words that every budding writer should know.
When you first founded Quibble, what was the main driving factor that motivated you to launch this independent magazine?
In early 2022, I was doing a poor job cutting my teeth into the world of freelance writing via platforms like Fiverr and Submittable. I wasn’t having much fun, but it did widen my awareness and realization that there were other people like me – former English majors, or just amateur writers, and letter-lovers – looking for opportunities.
I decided to shell out $500 to start a WordPress and “hire” submissions using Upwork to create the first two issues and earn CLMP (Community of Literary Magazines and Presses) membership.
From there, I set up submissions through Submittable, which has allowed me to mitigate some operating costs. I’m still at a substantial loss – though lots of that has been useful trials-and-user-error. I’m slowly figuring out a way upward, and paying artists is a priority once the venture is sustainable and profitable.
The project ended up becoming a way for me to reapproach my agency and identity as someone interested in writing, taking some form of control in my hands and giving some value to others at the same time.
Quibble is a themed publication, but it is unique in using open-ended word association as a prompt. Tell us how that came about.
I didn’t want myself, Quibble, or the writers to feel inhibited by theme. Like most creatives, I battle with the tensions of perfectionism versus presentation. I knew if I wanted to deliver something, I couldn’t overthink on criteria.
I like offering a suggestion or framework. The themes are more titles for the issue than prescriptive or required, but I relish the creative angles at which people have approached them.
Most themes have been phonetic plays on Quibble, either words that rhyme, slant rhyme, or feature double-consonants. With Issue 11, I was tired of the trend, and had fun subverting the direction with “SnakeEyes.” I like feeling not stuck.
What has been the most surprising thing about managing Quibble literary journal?
It’s been a great lesson about the unknown results and good things that can come from taking a not-fully-thought-through risk.
My favorite part, easily, has been the support and appreciation received from the artists, authors, and audience. People have been incredibly kind, patient, and encouraging throughout.
But the work has taken me to places I never thought I’d go, like needing to play with web development and graphic design. Getting to read so many submissions is a great challenge, but it is also its own reward, too.
I want to return the confidence people have placed in Quibble. That’s been a healthy pressure to deliver, and driven me to new lengths and skills I wouldn’t have reached alone.
Garrett, you work multiple jobs in addition to managing Quibble—how do you do it? Tell us what members of the literary community can do to help support Quibble.
Currently, I’m a bar manager at a brewery in Virginia. That’s my main gig, but 2023 has been a wild ride so far. For a while, I was throwing more and more balls in the air trying to figure out which mix came next. I still am.
Quibble has been a nice thread through the change. I’ve been investing more thought and time in how to sustain and advance moving into 2024.
Currently, we have ways to support through donations and merchandise online. After figuring out some more logistics, hopefully by the spring of 2024, we aim to have subscriptions available for a print version of the review.
What can we expect to see from Quibble in the near future? Any new developments?
Building off the last answer, the publishing model is seeing a few foundational changes in 2024.
With this new era, we’ll be moving on from issues to volumes, which will consist of pieces progressively published online for free. Our current “Spotlight” series will switch to a place where work “debuts” as it becomes available. The goal is then to culminate each Volume at 30 pieces before sending it to print as Quibble Quarterly, available for purchase or by subscription.
This will make the publishing cycle more lively, extend the window for submissions, and help my work-load from bottle-necking as much (hopefully). The goal is to give a better product, and return as much as I can to the writers and readers making the whole thing possible.
I hope to standardize and scale that model through 2024, and eventually extend the range of print ventures, artist opportunities, and verge into mixed media content.
Is there anything else you’d like to share or promote?
Trust your voice, and writing is the best way to get there.
I think there’s an unhelpful concept around what constitutes “being a writer”, or at least one I can say I’ve put in my way before.
But writing is about the best exercise you can give your brain or heart. We are meaning-making and meaning-craving creatures. Your interpretative and expressive abilities are priceless, especially in a modern landscape where automation looms over replacing many of our capabilities.
My wish is more people, whether they consider themselves writers or not, can find solace in practicing putting themselves on the page. It’s a (somewhat) simple process of self-discovery, every damn time.
Check out Quibble’s website: https://www.quibblelit.com/
Follow Quibble on X (twitter): @QuibbleLit
Cover Image: Photo by Monica Silvestre on Pexels.com
Pauline Shen 