The Guilded Pen - Eleventh Edition 2022: New Beginnings

“If you have any young friends who aspire to become writers, the second greatest favor you can do them is to present them with copies of The Elements of Style . The first greatest, of course, is to shoot them now, while they’re happy.”
~Dorothy Parker

New beginnings imply there were previous, possibly failed, attempts—other tries that just didn’t “take.” Some might say “new beginnings” is redundant. After all, aren’t all beginnings new? And when is a new beginning begun? A challenge, indeed, if you are a writer.
Whether a neophyte rower clearly out of your league, a washed up detective looking for that redeeming case, an ex-con questioning ones self-worth, a new bride with second thoughts, or somewhere/anywhere in between, our authors took the theme and spun it around, whipped it up, and turned it into something refreshing, stimulating, soul-wrenching, thought-provoking, or simply fun.
We all may not share the same concept of what constitutes a new beginning and our experiences can be worlds and galaxies apart, but the one common thread that pulls us together is the passion to write and share inner-most thoughts and creativity. Some might even argue that the writer’s desire is strong enough to overcome criticism and rejection. Others will say that sharing our talents and inner struggles is redemption all its own. But in the end, the baring of the soul in creative art forms becomes the end point, the greater goal. There are those writers, as Ms. Parker suggests, that might even be willing to take a bullet for it!
Managing Editors: Marcia Buompensiero & Rivkah Sleeth
Contributing Editors:
Irene Flynn, Asst. Editor (Poetry)
Corinna Goold, Asst. Editor (Short Stories)
Michael Kornberg, Asst. Editor (Poetry/Short Stories)
Michael Patrick, Asst. Editor (Short Stories)
Sandra Yeaman, Asst. Editor/Copyeditor

2022 Contributors
ShuJen Walker Askew
Gered Beeby
R. J. Black
Charles Braithwaite
M. Lee Buompensiero
Lawrence Carleton
Sheri Sherman Cohen
Al Converse
Janice Coy
Nick DiCarlo
Robert Doublebower
Chloe Kerns Edge
Leslie Ferguson
Leonore Greiner
KC Grifant
Janet Hafner
Margaret Harmon
Peggy Hinaekian
Dora Klinova
Leon Lazarus
Tom Leech
Pennel Paugh
Stephen Paugh
Richard Peterson
Ty Piz
Frank Primiano
B. H. Riffenburgh
Cyril Roseman
Patrick Ross
Mardie Schroeder
Sarah Turitto
Wanjiru Warama
Ruth Wallace
Lara Yamada
Ken Yaros