Refractions
an online publication

featuring showcased writing, art, and experimental work

Counterfactual Thinking Series

Sometimes we find ourselves wishing we had done or said things differently in the moment, running through endless “what ifs” or “if I had only…” thoughts.

​This is called counterfactual thinking. That moment you say something dumb to the cashier of your favorite coffee shop and contemplate for hours whether you can ever show your face again. Or when you are confronted with blatant discrimination and the perfect comeback weighs on your mind minutes after everything is already said and done.

These pieces consider something that happened, real or make believe, personal or historical, and explored alternative routes and possible endings.

Seasonal Series

A collection of prose, poetry, and visual art characterizing the seasonal milieu.

Bittersweet

While the world may be at its coldest, winter is all about comfort and keeping others close. These creators show us who or what keeps them warm while the earth freezes over.

Nightfall

As color and light drain from the sky, stealing away warmth and energy, a new peacefulness begins to blanket us. These creators show us the relieved sigh of a day's end.
For a fleeting moment, the sun stands still and high in all its glory. These creators show us their shining peaks and how long they worked and waited to get there.
 Metamorphosis is a sticky, strange, and uncertain process. These creators show us the messy cocoon they inhabited before brandishing their new wings.

The Archive

A collection of previous Refractions ​from the publication's inception in 2018 to 2020.

2020 Series

The year creators thought about grief, loss, and home. At times it felt like there wasn't anything else to think about. 

2019 Series

The year creators examined nuanced aspects of identity: family, consciousness, spirituality, and more.

2018 Series

The year creators carved out a space for Refractions and established a foundation for our online publication.

Interested in submitting to Refractions​?