Latitudes

We are pleased to announce the fifth issue of our Online Literary Review Latitudes

Welcome from our President

Aloha to our members and others who find their way to this, our fifth edition of the Hawaii Writers Guild online literary review, Latitudes. 

With some unexpected changes resulting in a new managing editor for this edition, we had the release date move out later than our initial plan. But with the dedication of Margaret Zacharias as managing editor and the many other members who participated in the editorial team and the final publication, the fifth edition is now ready for your reading pleasure. There is much variety in the offerings that should allow you to find something that interests and moves you. 

Please take some time to explore, and enjoy the voyage of sharing your favorites with family and friends.

Mahalo,
Diane Revell
President--Hawaii Writers Guild

Welcome from Our Managing Editor

Aloha Readers,
 
Hawaii Writers Guild Literary Review: Latitudes Edition V is dedicated with gratitude and affection to:
 
Our Founding Editor, Laura Burkhart, whose vision and commitment gave birth to the First Edition of Latitudes as a literary journal.
 
Managing Editor emeritus, Bob Lupo, who donated untold hours and exceptional energy over the next three years to Editions II, III, and IV, developing and expanding Latitudes to include more selections, and more-diverse member contributions. 
 
Our Production Editor, Webmaster Duncan Dempster, whose sustained commitment and contributions of technological expertise over all five editions have made it possible to publish Latitudes. Writers can write and editors can edit, but without our devoted online publishing professional, all else could have come to naught.
 
I want to thank the Hawaii Writers Guild Board of Directors, who represent the Guild as Latitudes' official legal Publisher.
 
Their thoughtful reflection and guidance over the past eleven months kept our Literary Review alive, in transition through a challenging year. I'm grateful for the Board members' willingness to study a new publishing landscape, engage in dialogue, and make difficult decisions about Artificial Intelligence policies, based on our shared values for human creativity and the Guild's non-profit mission to serve local communities.
 
I also want to express my profound gratitude to the 2024 Editorial Team. Whether we were dear friends, or total strangers, all eleven editors stepped up immediately, with courage and commitment, the moment they heard my call for help! to preserve Latitudes' legacy in Hawaii Writers Guild.
 
They read a huge number of other authors' manuscripts to make first-round selections; and contributed valuable assistance with copy editing and line editing, whether that meant extra Zoom meetings, thoughtful ballot comments, or full manuscript reviews. They took time away from writing, editing, and/or marketing their own books to serve as volunteers for this endeavor.
 
Their discerning judgment, diligent work, and ongoing support for me as a new managing editor made the impossible, possible.
 
Finally, I want to thank the Members of Hawaii Writers Guild.
 
We set a new record in 2024, with 105 total submissions.

Every member who submitted a manuscript for consideration had to navigate new Guidelines and new Forms this year. Thank you, members, for your enthusiastic contribution of manuscripts for consideration, as well as for your patience and cooperation with these changes.
 
I'm happy to note that we are publishing five relatively new members of the Guild in Edition V, as well as a couple of long-time, well-published members of the Guild who hadn't yet taken advantage of the opportunity to submit their work for Latitudes.
 
Our Aloha spirit for fellow writers in Hawaii Writers Guild is rare, and precious.
 
Together, all of us have managed to create an Edition V of Hawaii Writers Guild Literary Review: Latitudes that I believe can stand with pride anywhere in the literary universe.
 
I hope each of you will enjoy reading it.
 
Blessings and Peace,
Margaret