#IndieLitMagGala 2025 Spotlight: Epistemic Literary

This isn’t a competition. It’s a celebration.

As part of The Broken Spine’s #IndieLitMagGala 2025, we asked readers to nominate indie presses and lit mags that deserve a little unexpected spotlight—not because they’re loud, but because they’re that good. And one nomination came in with the kind of sincerity you can’t ignore:

“They are struggling through chronic illnesses but still trying to uplift writers’ voices. Even their rejections are thoughtful and respectful.”

The press in question? Epistemic Literary.

Run by Melissa Ruth Rotert, Kristin Houlihan, and Genalea Barker, Epistemic is a fierce and thoughtful presence in the indie lit world. They publish poetry, flash fiction, and creative nonfiction that explores resistance, nostalgia, anticipation, exclusion—emotional truths that often get softened elsewhere. At Epistemic, they hit at full force.

This is lit mag work powered by care, not clout. And it’s deeply personal.

Melissa Ruth Rotert

Kidlit author and short fiction fanatic, Melissa co-founded Epistemic as a space for writers to build community through literature, conversation, and craft. She’s committed to creating room for new voices—even when that means putting her own writing on pause.

Kristin Houlihan

Kristin found poetry as a way to survive personal and health crises—and now she’s helping others tell their truths with the same tenderness and rigour. Her editorial eye is shaped by lived experience and an unshakeable desire to listen.

Genalea Barker

Genalea came to editing through her love for flash fiction and creative nonfiction. Her work is all about brevity, vulnerability, and truth. She reads carefully and edits generously, never forgetting the emotional risk behind every submission.

Behind all this is a daily grind that most people never see—chronic illnesses, exhaustion, and the relentless effort it takes just to keep an indie press alive. Yet they continue. They release issues that carry emotional weight without sacrificing quality. Their Resistance issue is a standout. Their Happy Place issue is full of quiet joy. And their NimbleWitLit initiative brings contemporary writing into the hands of younger readers who deserve more than dusty anthologies.

This is what real indie publishing looks like.

It’s not built on prestige. It’s built on purpose. Epistemic Literary is creating space for truth, emotion, and resistance—all while navigating the personal and professional challenges most people couldn’t imagine juggling.

This is why the #IndieLitMagGala exists.
To catch editors off guard with the recognition they’d never ask for.
To remind them their work matters.
To say thank you.

So—Melissa, Kristin, Genalea—this one’s for you. From your contributors, your readers, and the ones watching quietly from the sidelines: thank you for building something honest, heartfelt, and absolutely essential.