Celebrating diverse voices, creative writing, and the arts
Welcome to Level Up and Shine Literary Magazine
Announcing Issue Three: We are thrilled to announce that Issue Three will be available to read and share on June 15, 2026. In the meantime, we invite you to explore and enjoy the rich archives of Issues One and Two available below.
If you are new to our community, please explore our website to learn more about our mission, our free writing courses, and our virtual writers' group.
Our Journey & Mission
Founded by Yelena Bailey-Kirby in the fall of 2023, Level Up and Shine Literary Magazine was born from a desire to amplify underrepresented voices and champion literature that resonates. Following our initial call for submissions, our inaugural issue debuted in February 2024.
We are proud to feature evocative pieces that move, linger, and embody the very best of contemporary poetry, storytelling, and creative expression.
Issue One: Spring 2024 (February 2024): Dive into our debut collection and experience the incredible written and audio work of our featured authors.
Issue Two: Fall 2024 (October 2024): Explore new literary landscapes. Scroll down to access shareable links to the text, and click the audio links beneath the contributors' photographs to hear the authors read their own poetry and short stories.
Creative Community & Learning
Art thrives in community. We offer free online writing courses designed to ignite your creative spark, whether your passion lies in poetry, fiction, memoir, screenwriting, or novel writing, etc. To join an upcoming session, please navigate to the Courses page in the main menu.
Join Our Next Issue
The submission portal for our upcoming 2026 issue is currently open and accepting work until the extended deadline of June 15, 2026. We invite you to visit our Submission Guidelines page to review our criteria for poetry, fiction, drama, creative non-fiction, and visual art.
We are also excited to expand our horizons with dedicated categories for multi-disciplinary arts as we welcome submissions in music, film, and dance performance.
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ISSUE ONE - SPRING 2024
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ISSUE TWO - FALL 2024
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ISSUE THREE - 2025
Listen to the Creative Work of Writers Published in Issue Three: 2025.
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Hypnotized by Your Love & Why Can't I
Song Lyrics, Music, and Singing Performed by Justine Abigail
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Les Cirque des Morts
Short Story by Jacqueline Adams
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Hand Me Downs, Freedom, & I Can Feel It in My Bones
Poems by Kayla Bayot
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Leather the Storm
Song Lyrics by Mary Ann Bridges / Performed by Justine Abigail
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The Clean Secret
Short Story by Emily Caceres
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Caribbean Bliss
Short Story by Portia Davis
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Fruits of a Shared Past & Folx Talkin
Poems by Tamiel McKee Bey
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Americana Summer
Short Story by Sophia Perez
Our interactive, digital magazine features
diverse voices & creative individuals.
SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN APRIL 15, 2026 AND JUNE 15, 2026 FOR THE NEXT ISSUE.
SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN APRIL 15, 2026 AND JUNE 15, 2026 FOR THE NEXT ISSUE.
SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN APRIL 15, 2026 AND JUNE 15, 2026 FOR THE NEXT ISSUE.
SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN APRIL 15, 2026 AND JUNE 15, 2026 FOR THE NEXT ISSUE.
SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN APRIL 15, 2026 AND JUNE 15, 2026 FOR THE NEXT ISSUE.
SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN APRIL 15, 2026 AND JUNE 15, 2026 FOR THE NEXT ISSUE.
SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN APRIL 15, 2026 AND JUNE 15, 2026 FOR THE NEXT ISSUE.
SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN APRIL 15, 2026 AND JUNE 15, 2026.
SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN APRIL 15, 2026 AND JUNE 15, 2026.
SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN APRIL 15, 2026 AND JUNE 15, 2026.
SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN APRIL 15, 2026 AND JUNE 15, 2026 FOR THE NEXT ISSUE. SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN APRIL 15, 2026 AND JUNE 15, 2026 FOR THE NEXT ISSUE. SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN APRIL 15, 2026 AND JUNE 15, 2026 FOR THE NEXT ISSUE. SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN APRIL 15, 2026 AND JUNE 15, 2026 FOR THE NEXT ISSUE. SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN APRIL 15, 2026 AND JUNE 15, 2026 FOR THE NEXT ISSUE. SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN APRIL 15, 2026 AND JUNE 15, 2026 FOR THE NEXT ISSUE. SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN APRIL 15, 2026 AND JUNE 15, 2026 FOR THE NEXT ISSUE. SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN APRIL 15, 2026 AND JUNE 15, 2026. SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN APRIL 15, 2026 AND JUNE 15, 2026. SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN APRIL 15, 2026 AND JUNE 15, 2026.
Listen to authors read their published work in Issue Two: Fall 2024.
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My Body, My Choice, My Story; Upgrade; Time Is; and Honey Pot
Poems by Mary Bridges
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I Caught It, Momorial, Naptime, and Vainglorious
Poems by Elle Lynn Daines
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When I Think of You and You Owe Me
Poems by Portia Davis
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It Happened and The Other Woman
Poems by Arika Elizenberry
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Run, Rabbit, Run
Short Story by Eddie Gehl
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The Things I am Not and Time's Up
Poems by Rylee Hjorth
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Sestina, The Noble Eightfold Path, Sage & Thyme, and Paint a Picture as Waves Travel Through Space
Poems by Ki Imberi
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Survivor's Guilt
Short Story by Kisha Pope
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Timeless
Short Story by Sofia Reynoso
Our Free Online Writing Courses & Webinars:
Sign up for course offerings on the Course page. Spots will be limited as it is treated like a workshop session for a more engaging learning environment and safe sharing space when everyone is encouraged to read their writing for feedback from the course presenter and attendees. Otherwise, you are welcome to inquire below about upcoming course offerings.
Listen to authors read their published work in Issue One: Spring 2024.
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The Tree's Human
Short Story by Emani Booker
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The Color of Truth
Novel’s Ch 2: “Journey” by Mary Bridges
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Lovers Call and What's It to You?
Two Poems by Arika Elizenberry
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Bodies Beneath Us
Short Story by Curtis Garcia
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Most Assuredly Not and My Last Will & Testament
Two Poems by Kassity Higgins
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Angel in the Afternoon
Short Story by Robert Houston
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Madrina Rita
Short Story by Monserrat Martinez
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Estoque
Short Story - Enrique Meza
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All at Once, Senses, and Purple Hearts
Three Poems by Francé Terredanio
