ELEVENTH HOUR LITERARY

ELEVENTH HOUR LITERARY ISSUE 2.2

Summer 2026

EDITOR’S NOTE: WHAT A CONTRIBUTOR’S SPOTLIGHT CAN DO FOR YOU

GUEST ESSAY

Rejection, revision, and perseverance: how a high-school dropout became a published author

Jake La Botz

Winner of the Summer 2026 Prose Contest

Close-up of festive glittery bird decorations ideal for Christmas and holiday themes.

I ASK HER FOR BIRDS 

Sydney Quinn

A dimly lit open Bible displayed on a wooden altar, highlighting its pages.
Photo by Wendy van Zyl from Pexels

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO OCTAVIA BELL
Jack Bylund

A woman's hand rests on a casket, conveying a poignant moment of farewell during a solemn funeral.
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels

THE RABBI AND THE GANGSTER’S WIDOW
Philip Graubart

A historic bookstore in Oporto, Portugal with a mystical atmosphere and blurred patrons.
Photo by Sandra Mosconi from Pexels

WHAT IS HIDDEN, WHAT IS SOUGHT
Tina Klimas

A collection of diverse feathers in motion set against a dark, mysterious background.
Photo by Evie Shaffer from Pexels

FEATHERS
Tremain Xenos

A striking black and white image featuring a sandy beach path leading to a distant lighthouse.
Photo by Tiago Chaves from Pexels

BOY BEACH
Zachary Ambrose Woodward

A couple sits in tension on a bench surrounded by nature, holding colorful blocks spelling 'Love'.
Photo by RDNE Stock project from Pexels

SLIPSTREAM SUMMER
Christina Reiss

Artistic sepia-toned portrait of a pregnant woman draped in fabric, capturing the beauty of pregnancy overlaid on top of a deserted playground illuminated under foggy night lights, creating a moody and atmospheric scene.
Photos by Alexander Krivitskiy and Sami Abdullah from Pexels from Pexels

FLEAS AND CONSTELLATIONS
Laura Carnes Williams

Deliciously plated bone marrow with fresh salad and bread slices on a stainless steel plate.
Photo by Ata Ebem from Pexels

MANEATER
Michelle Balogh

Winner of the Summer 2026 Poetry Contest

TRUVY’S

Caroline Lord

Close-up of red hair being trimmed with scissors and comb on green background.
Beautiful starry night sky above a countryside house with glowing windows, ideal for wallpaper.
Photo by Macourt Media from Pexels

VIRGO
Jeffery-Michael Kane

Close-up of a vintage red convertible car interior featuring a classic steering wheel and dashboard.
Photo by RITESH SINGH from Pexels

TORONTO SUMMER
Chuck Joy

A contemplative woman sits alone in a bathtub, bathed in neon pink light, creating a moody and intimate atmosphere.
Photo by Anastasia Bekker from Pexels

CLINGING TO ME
Fyn Goldstein

A dynamic flock of geese flying across a scenic countryside landscape.
Photo by Robert So from Pexels

MY THERAPIST SAYS I SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO THE BIRDS
Christa Fairbrother

An old, weathered camera sits in the sandy desert under bright sunlight, showcasing vintage charm.
Photo by Denys Gromov from Pexels

TRAVEL BROCHURE, A DREAMED POEM
Mike Wilson

Long exposure shot of commuters at a bustling subway station platform in Poland, capturing motion and energy.
Photo by Ammy Singh from Pexels

MARATHON DAY
Gilbert Diaz

Davao City, Davao Region, Philippines; Bustling street in Davao City showcasing local shops and market stalls under colorful umbrellas.
Photo by John Escudero from Pexels

DIASPORIC INFERTILITY
Christian Hanz Lozada

Black and white photo of a graceful marionette dancer on stage.
Photo by Pexels User from Pexels

RISING UNDERTOW
David M. Alper

A dramatic view of a train yard at sunset with skyscrapers in the background.
Photo by Alex Bian from Pexels

THE MAP BY HAND
AJ Wright

Issue Masthead

Editor-in-Chief

R. Renee Branca

Managing Editor

Ethan Knox

Communications

Emily Henkell

Fiction Co-Editors

Lauren Garnett

Amber Gates

Eli Steingardt

Poetry Co-Editors

Hannah Nathanson

Arthur Turfa

Nidia Bravo


Journal Board: Michelle L. Gardner, Sarah Ford, Sam Cota, Hannah Proaper, Ellie Noti, Taylor Veneto, Matthew Smearing, Johanna Brozinsky, Kristy Cable, Jordyn Long

Cover Art: Transitory Space, Nantucket #1, Massachusetts, Color Photography, 11” x 14” & 16” x 20”, 2025, by Leah Oates

Submission Transparency

This issue received 400 submissions; we were honored to publish these 19, with a publication rate of 4.75%.