Online Mag Gets a Makeover, and Features Thought-Provoking Poems and Prose
Issue 29 of Front Porch was published in May (it is early July as I write this; I have been a bit slow with my reading of it). This is a journal I’ve read individual pieces from in the past, but I haven’t thoroughly explored until now. One of the first things I noticed when perusing their website was that they’re debuting a new layout for what their managing editors call “a more modern streamlined reading experience.” After comparing the older design with the preview of their new one, I actually found the old design to be easier. It is less image-heavy and the old design is clearly categorized into genres, which I appreciate as a reader. So, I closed out of the new layout preview and used the old one while I still could.
As a poet, I gravitated towards the poetry section first. This particular issue of Front Porch features ten poems, composed by five poets. All of these poems are thought-provoking and nicely crafted. An attention to detail and line-control can be seen in all pieces. The majority of these poets’ bios include a nod to academia and a list of previous publications, chapbooks, and poetry collections, suggesting that this journal leans towards publishing established writers.
Since Front Porch is the online journal of the MFA program at Texas State University, this preference for well-crafted verse from writers who have been writing for a while makes sense. Though theme-less, this section of the journal comes together seamlessly, with individual poets having similar voices and tones. The most impressive poems of the bunch come from Ruth Foley (three poems) and Elizabeth Onusko (two poems). Foley’s three poems differ greatly in form, showing an ability to spread creative wings and write compellingly in different ways. Onusko’s work on the other hand impressed me more because of its content, with lines (and line breaks) like “I sleep so deeply / and why, when I get out of bed, / it feels like I’m walking / in water. / It’s hard to tell…” making me question along with the speaker of the poem and feel connected to the conflict being described.
There are only two fiction pieces in this issue, but they are both well done and memorable for their vivid descriptions and exploration of complex relationships. Courtney Elizabeth Mauk’s story “Stratosphere” dances around how war affects families and how individual choices can change so much. Ian Breen’s short story “Coda” does the opposite; it focuses on a long-term couple who bask in their solid relationship while on vacation. While reading this story I kept expecting it to turn: for a character to be diagnosed with a brain tumor or lost as sea. But Breen avoided going this route, resulting in a story that refreshingly seems to value commitment. Both of these stories, much like the poems, are conventional in form, content, and style.
It is now the beginning of September. The heat of summer and life and responsibilities pulled me away from reading and reviewing. Returning to the online issue, I find Front Porch has switched over to the new format. The display seems more blog-like, less like a literary magazine’s online presence and more like a catalogue of images meant to engage viewers. Though I prefer the more traditional design they previously had, this version does make me realize that the journal includes a good number of book reviews and interviews. These are well written and interesting to read. I was surprised to see a friend’s book had been reviewed in this issue, and after reading it I thought “they did well with that.”
However, if you are one to write and submit interviews or reviews, this doesn’t appear to be the publication for that. Their submission guidelines call for flash fiction, short stories, poetry, creative nonfiction, and art. They accept only electronic submissions; art gets emailed in, words have to be submitted through their online submission management system. For those with a book and a publicist, review copies can be mailed to Texas, and I assume a staff member, editor, or intern may get to it.
