The Best of Vine Leaves Literary Journal 2013 — Jessica Bell

In late 2011, Jessica Bell and Dawn Ius founded Vine Leaves Literary Journal to offer the vignette, a forgotten literary form, the exposure and credit it deserves. The vignette is a snapshot in words, and differs from flash fiction or a short story in that its aim doesn't lie within the traditional realms of structure or plot, instead it focuses on one element, mood, character, setting or object. The journal, published quarterly online, is a lush synergy of atmospheric prose, poetry, photography and illustrations, put together with an eye for aesthetics as well as literary merit. The annual print anthology showcases the very best pieces from across the year. Each vignette merges to create a vivid snapshot in time and place. Prepare for big stories in small spaces, between and beyond the words. Read one at a time. Taste them. Savour them. Live them.