Ramon Stoppelenburg is a writer, translator, content creator, crisis manager, tour operator, former world traveler and founder of The Quiet Reader, currently residing in Portugal.
It has been an honor and pleasure to read and see so many fantastic pieces submitted to this edition of The Quiet Reader. After our hiatus more than a year ago, we decided to return only if we could bring together a selection of the most compelling short literary prose and poetry available today — and this collection exceeds our hopes.
When we first launched this publication in the depths of the global pandemic, and we were all sitting quietly inside looking at a silent world outside, the world seemed to have paused for a bit, contracted, and then reimagined itself to where we are in it again. We witnessed small miracles: neighbors checking on each other through window panes, healthcare workers becoming unexpected heroes, and communities finding new connection through pixelated screens. Simultaneously, seismic shifts reshaped our global landscape — remote work became normalized, digital communication transformed human interaction, and conversations about mental health and resilience moved from the margins to the mainstream.
Writers possess a near-mystical ability to view the world through a unique, creative lens, transforming glimpses of life and humanity into words that resonate deeply. It’s this gift, this spark, that drives our Staff Readers and Editors, who devote countless hours to combing through entries, searching for pieces that leave a lasting impression.
In our increasingly noisy world, I hope this edition offers a tranquil escape, a moment to pause and appreciate the artistry of the written word. As Henry David Thoreau wisely observed, “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”
And what we have seen — through the submissions that have graced our pages for over 7 editions now — are stories of extraordinary adaptability, profound empathy, and the enduring power of human creativity.
From the small, tender moments of pandemic isolation to the grand, transformative movements that have reshaped our social and political landscapes, this collection captures the essence of our recent shared experience.
It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the timeless ability of literature to help us make sense of our ever-changing world.
Enjoy the journey,
Ramon Stoppelenburg
Editor-in-chief
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