2018 'So It Goes' Theme: 'Lonesome No More'

Editors of "So It Goes," an annual literary journal published by the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library (K.V.M.L.), Indianapolis, Ind., have opened submissions to their 2018 issue.

The theme of this year's issue is "Lonesome No More," and will focus on promoting mental health and community.

An official submissions page is here.

Vonnegut was born in Indianapolis on November 11, which now is variously celebrated around the world as Armistice Day and/or Veterans Day. He later fought and was a prisoner of war in World War II.

"Students, amateur writers and artists, professional writers and artists, young, old, and current/retired military veterans" are invited to submit prose, poetry, and visual art by the May 1, 2018 deadline, editors write. "The veteran community was important to Vonnegut, as he served his country, too, so we imagine he’d love to see literary and artistic representation from current and former military personnel, as well."

Previous themes have included "War and Peace"; "Humor"; "Creativity"; "Social Justice"; and "A Little More Common Decency." More than 50 percent of each issue, editors say, represents the work of military service members or veterans.

Editors say that the "Lonesome No More" theme is based on a slogan the author used in his 1976 novel "Slapstick". The editors write:

"We understand that you can’t get rid of loneliness just by getting rid of “aloneness.” Vonnegut knew this; as a World War II veteran who was captured by the Nazis and survived the Allied firebombing of Dresden, Germany, he suffered from PTSD and depression. He carried more than his share of loneliness throughout his lifetime, but that intense loneliness isn’t unique to people with PTSD or depression. 

It also affects people with other mental health concerns: anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or even sadness when being bullied or feeling like people just don’t understand. All humans suffer from loneliness at one time or another. That’s why we believe a year of programming focused on mental health awareness is so important."

Submissions guidelines include:

• Prose: 1,500 words maximum

• Poems: Submit up to five poems (1,500 words max for all five)

• Photography and/or artwork: Up to five pieces total

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