Liberation in Layers
New Blog Post: Liberation in Layers — A Submission Story
This past week, I submitted my work to No More Margins, a new literary journal dedicated to amplifying the voices of Black women writers. Their inaugural issue is themed Liberation — a word that holds layers of meaning in my life.
Writing these pieces wasn’t just about being published. It was about claiming space, telling truths that once felt too heavy to hold, and honoring the mirrors I’ve learned to face.
I submitted two pieces: an essay and a free write. Both trace the arc of my journey back to myself.
From "Liberation in Layers: Becoming My Own Mirror":
“Liberation means I am no longer waiting to be seen. I witness myself now. I build mirrors that reflect the truth. I bless the brown girl who blinked in fear. I stand now as a Black woman who has slid fully into her reflection — and stayed. And this time, the mirror smiled back.”
This essay weaves together my story of adoption, identity, and the slow, sacred process of reclaiming my reflection. It's a story of unfolding, of remembering, and of standing fully in the light of my own truth. Writing my memoir helped birth this particular short essay.
From "What It Means to Be Mine":
“What it means to be mine is that I choose peace even when it costs me company. That I trust myself more than I trust approval. That I stand in my own truth — even if it echoes back empty at first. This is not the loneliness of exile. This is the liberation of return.”
This piece reclaims the phrase “by myself” from a childhood mantra of isolation into an empowered declaration of self-belonging. It's about the journey from surviving for others to thriving for myself.
These stories are deeply personal — and universal. They are for anyone who has ever felt out of place in their own skin, anyone who has had to learn to love their reflection (for the first time or anew).
If they resonate with you, I’d love for you to walk this journey with me.
✨ Stay tuned for publication updates.
✨ Subscribe for future reflections.
✨ And most importantly, take a moment today to witness yourself.
With love and liberation,
Charlynn
