What IS Quibble.Lit?
Quibble.Lit is an indie publisher of creative writing - a modern day literary magazine, or "lit mag."
We publish (print & online ) prose, poetry, and original art collected to provoke a conversation.
Currently, Quibble is in production of Volume III of Quibble Quarterly.
Started in 2022 by Garrett Souliere, Quibble has been an experiment that's evolved through many phases. Garrett graduated from VCU with a B.A. in English, where he discovered his love for indie publishing while working as head fiction editor for plain china.
In March of 2022, he took this background, a leap of foolish faith, and a lot of YouTube tutorials to figure out the gist of starting a lit mag from scratch, paying authors for submissions on UpWork.
Over two years, 12 issues, and 2 print volumes later, Quibble has come a long way. And we have a long way to go.
Quibble's mission is to promote critical discourse by promoting independent art.
Our goals are many: our first priority always is improving our experience and product, for both authors and audience. We want to get better, to be a better vehicle for readers and writers alike.
By Volume V, we aim to return to compensating our artists for their artistic contributions (this has been the case most of our history, but, also, our operating expenses have exceeded our income since the beginning)
What’s a “quibble?”
Oxford's definition: A slight objection or criticism about a trivial matter
Merriam-Webster's: To evade the point of an argument by caviling about words
A quibble is synonymous with bickering. An arguably-meaningless argument.
Why “Quibble”?
a letter from the editor
Great question!
Initially, there was little rhyme or reason for the selection of "Quibble" as a lit mag name.
I simply liked the word, particularly it's phonetics; "Q" is a funny letter, double-consonant's enjambed in words are fun, and the "le" vowel is very quirky.
Over time, two other meanings for the word have become apparent.
All of my life, I've been accused of being a "devil's advocate." I can recall my older brother, Zach, snitching to my parents: "All he does is argue!" (this is one of the most insidious but effective accusations to throw at someone - either I agree with his premise, or refuse it and affirm his stance.)
As I've grown older, more bitter, and a lot lazier, I don't push the point as much these days. I have conceded enough times to know it's often not worth my attention to entertain a notion for someone. It's not my responsibility to show someone the value in the theoretical, in considering another perspective, because the value within is enough for myself.
2. Getting an English degree is an enlistment that comes with a lot of jeering. I've had countless conversations about the point, merit, and value of pursuing language and literature. A lot of "What's that good for?" or "What are you going to do with that?"
It's a fair question. I've not always known how to answer, and most often felt uncomfortable even attempting my response. Still, I appreciate the inquiry.
The best answer I can give (which I never have before) is: the value is in investigation and interpretation. Inquiry, itself, is the value. The value is in the critical - crucial, even - skills of formulating arguments and asking questions for yourself.
See, it would be nice if everything wrapped itself in the end, fell into place, and our lives contained no messiness.
As we are all meaning-making beings that have to contend with reality and thoughts for the rest of our time here, it's important and useful if we're able to make sense of our thoughts.
We are all authors in our own existence, and arguing our rationale is an essential tool which makes the ride much more meaningful.
So, I say: bicker away.
Thank you for being here.
quib·ble - [kwi-bəl ]
verb
1: to evade the point of an argument by caviling about words
noun
1: an evasion of or shift from the point
2: a minor objection or criticism