Dear friends,
As we begin July, we're pleased to share a few updates and recent highlights from Valiant Scribe.
Submissions
Our year-round general call for submissions remains open from January 15 to December 15. Submissions carry a US$5 reading fee, which supports the journal's core operations, including website hosting, newsletters, and editorial infrastructure.
Submissions that are not accepted will receive brief editorial feedback, intended to encourage and support writers in their creative journey.
For our submission guidelines and to submit your work, please visit:
👉 https://www.valiantscribe.com/submit
Scholarships
Applications for the Naomi Kambai Ayis Scholarship and the Billy Ayis Scholarship closed on 30 June.
Thank you to everyone who applied. We were encouraged by the quality and diversity of applications received from across the Global South. Our review process is now underway, and successful applicants will be notified before recipients are announced at the end of August.
Learn more about our scholarship programme:
👉 https://www.valiantscribe.com/scholarship
Recently Published
We're pleased to share four new works published in June 2026, each offering a unique perspective on healing, identity, memory, and belonging.
"This Is How I Heal" — a poem by K.B. Ballentine
A thoughtful poem reflecting on the quiet, often unseen work of healing and the grace found in ordinary moments.
Read here:
👉 https://www.valiantscribe.com/post/this-is-how-i-heal-a-poem-by-kb-ballentine
"A White Poet Reflects" — a poem by Vern Fein
A reflective poem examining race, conscience, and the responsibilities of empathy through a deeply personal lens.
Read here:
👉 https://www.valiantscribe.com/post/a-white-poet-reflects-a-poem-by-vern-fein
"The Villa in Durrës" — a poem by Joy Nevin Axelson
A lyrical meditation on place, memory, and the enduring impressions left by travel and human connection.
Read here:
👉 https://www.valiantscribe.com/post/the-villa-in-durr%C3%ABs-a-poem-by-joy-nevin-axelson
"It Takes a Long Time to Go Nowhere" — a poem by Leigh Anne Burley
A contemplative work exploring waiting, perseverance, and the unexpected journeys that shape us.
Read here:
👉 https://www.valiantscribe.com/post/it-takes-a-long-time-to-go-nowhere-a-poem-by-leigh-anne-burley
From the Archives
Since our founding in December 2019, Valiant Scribe has published the work of writers and artists from around the world, exploring faith, social issues, and the human condition through poetry, fiction, nonfiction, essays, interviews, artwork, and our annual journal.
Whether you're a new subscriber or a long-time reader, we invite you to revisit our archives and discover pieces you may have missed.
Explore our past newsletters and archive:
👉 https://www.valiantscribe.com/newsletters, or 👉 https://app.kit.com/newsletter-site
Books & Publications
You can explore Valiant Scribe's books and journal issues across multiple platforms:
Resources for Writers
Each month we like to highlight resources that may be helpful to writers at different stages of their journey.
Majek Tife — Beta Reader & Editor
Majek Tife is a professional beta reader and editor who provides thoughtful, reader-focused feedback to authors across a wide range of genres, including literary fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery, thriller, young adult, memoir, poetry, and nonfiction.
Rather than focusing solely on technical issues, her approach considers character development, pacing, dialogue, narrative structure, emotional impact, and overall reader engagement, helping writers strengthen their manuscripts while remaining true to their creative vision.
Email: majektiffe@gmail.com
Upwork Profile:
👉 https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~01abfac886ed086df6
The Habit Writing Challenge
A free monthly writing challenge encouraging writers to build a sustainable writing habit through daily practice and community accountability.
👉 https://thehabit.co/writing
Thank you for being part of the Valiant Scribe community. We look forward to reading your work and continuing the conversation throughout 2026. Until next month, keep reading, keep writing, and keep seeking what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).
Warmly,
The Valiant Scribe Team
P.S. We're now using a new email delivery service. If these emails aren't for you, please feel free to unsubscribe at any time.
If this message was forwarded to you, you can subscribe directly on our Kit page:
👉 https://app.kit.com/creator_profile
