Amanda Newell, Chair of the Gunston School’s English Department, was recently nominated for a Pushcart Prize for her poem, “Vacation Photo, Gulf of Mexico,” which appeared in Fledgling Rag (#12) earlier this year. Fledgling Rag is a literary magazine based in Pennsylvania and published by Iris G. Press.

Each year, the Pushcart Press anthologizes the best poetry, short stories and essays published by independent, small press publications. According to Pushcart Press’ website, Bill Henderson, the Founding Editor, began his enterprise in 1976, with the help of other notable writers such as Joyce Carol Oates and Ralph Ellison to “to recognize and celebrate the best work in the rapidly expanding independent publishing movement.”

“To be nominated is such an honor,” Newell said. “I’m grateful to Le Hinton and the editors of Fledgling Rag for their confidence in my work.” The magazine also nominated Yona Harvey, Hiram Larew, Melanie Henderson, Alan King, and Daina Savage, whose poems also appeared in the magazine. “The best part of this,” Newell observed, “is that I get to be in the company of these fine poets.”