iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

It’s October! Love this season, but especially when temps drop. Figuring out things. Trying to make sense of cup of coffee, type of morning. Made quick sketch based on cover of The Lovers, M. Duras. (Photo attached) Gave cookies to workmen outside my home. “Gracias.” Best thing I did this week.

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Chagall was a creator of lovely pictures.

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

This is cool to read, Aaron! Thank you for sharing and your encouraging added note!

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Thanks for reading and nice encouragement, Jane! So lovely to hear!

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Thanks so much, Neil! Nice to hear your response! And I hope you’re well!

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Here’s a little (thematically fitting?) reading for a Sunday afternoon, a piece written by me and selected/published by the tireless champion of fiction and weird writing, @aaronburch.bsky.social. I hope you enjoy!

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Old school Saturday night….

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

The fleeting hope, the grandiose imagining, the fear, doubt, regret, all the emotions that go along with sending work out into the world, they are just not present. Gotta say, this is a kind of air that I can breathe well in, at least for a while.

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

After yesterday's rejection, for the first time in more than 15 years, I have zero stories or other writings out on submission.

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

If you are, like I was a month ago, not yet acquainted with the work of Thomas Mann, I urge you to put his work near the top of your to-read list. Buddenbrooks is a gem. Death in Venice and The Magic Mountain are next up for me.

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Book mail that inspired me to attempt to make a picture of the author. Unfortunately, I cannot draw realistic pictures worth a damn. But at least in this sketchbook I wrote something true: @aaronburch.bsky.social is a lit-world champion. Excited to read Tacoma soon!

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Reposted by Peter Witte

New England Review @newenglandreview.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

NER is excited to announce an open call for submissions to a special feature celebrating Agnès Varda’s 2000 film THE GLEANERS & I. This special feature will be edited by NER contributing editor J. M. Tyree. Read the submission guidelines & submit: newenglandreview.submittable.com/submit/9476d...

Image: THE GLEANERS & I, © Ciné Tamaris, Ciné Tamaris/Photofest

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

So awesome to hear, @rossshowalter.com! The experience of reading and creating illustrations for your beautiful story was memorable and a special experience for me!

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

I had a great time conducting an interview with Maggie Mull about her short story in @newenglandreview.bsky.social. We discussed defamiliarization, authenticity, and humor, among other things. Check it out on NER's website. (Her story is published in the latest issue!) nereview.com/behind-the-b...

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

I suppose this thread is a lament, but also a plea that if you are a lit mag/journal that is still putting writing into the world with illustrations, please keep doing it. We need such publications. -- 7/7

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

And I guess I'm finally moving on from the idea that I might again be asked to contribute work for that particular mag/journal or, even sadder, that I'll ever see original art by other artists on their pages either. Alas! -- 6/7

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Whatever the case, though, I think it's a shame that the decision was made. It's been half a year since the change and I guess it's safe to assume that their role as a lit mag/journal that publishes compelling writing with original art is over. -- 5/7

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

I'm only speculating here though because I never received a message explaining the decision. (I don't feel like pestering the new owners asking for an explanation because I'm certain they have enough to concern themselves with and, even if it'd be nice, they don't owe me an explanation.) -- 4/7

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

I don't know why the change was made. There may be a good reason (e.g., high cost in time to administer the illustrations/illustrators, or high cost to pay illustration contributors--although I was never paid for the illustration work I created, so I doubt the latter is the case). -- 3/7

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Recently, a leading magazine that published writing paired w/a few original illustrations changed ownership, then stopped publishing original art w/the writing. (The illustrations were made by a rotating team of illustrators (myself included) & the art always added to the reading experience.) -- 2/7

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

I'm a big fan of many literary mags/journals, but I especially appreciate when the mag/journal pairs their stories/essays/poetry with original art/illustrations. (Nothing against those that do not, as there are obviously very excellent ones out there that don't.) -- 1/7

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

Fun with one-line pencil drawing…

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

Sven: It’s been months since your last photo post. I miss seeing these! They always bring me a visual to contemplate or else joy. Please return and post more artistic shots when you feel up to it.

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 09/08/2025

Andre Aciman’s Call Me By Your Name is a perfect book. WOW! Just finished it this afternoon and had to sit and hold onto it a bit before anything else.

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

My daughter gave me a sunflower and I made a picture because of it.

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

A section of an abstract painting I’m working on.

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

This is one of my favorites of all time!

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

A partial view of an oil painting work in progress.

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

Thanks so much, Anna! Love your take on it too! ❤️

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

It means a lot, Aaron! At least to me it does. 😀 Thanks so much for sharing about this morning’s thoughts. It is such an honor having the story published alongside so many great stories in your journal—whatever magic it has is also as a result of the story’s pals!

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

A close up of an oil painting that I’m working on…

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

If you are looking for an incredible film—and who isn’t, really?—look no further than On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, directed by Rungano Nyoni. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/m...

nytimes.com

‘On Becoming a Guinea Fowl’ Review: Watchful Eyes

The heroine of Rungano Nyoni’s second feature keeps her cool even as she uncovers long-buried family secrets in Zambia.

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

What a great short read, @anniejowrites.bsky.social! Powerful punch of a story with a compelling idea at the center and one that is beautifully written.

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

“I understand absolutely nothing,” replied the Nose. “Make yourself more clear.” “My dear sir,” said Kovalyov with a sense of his own dignity, “I don’t know how to interpret your words…The whole thing seems to me quite obvious…Or do you wish…After all, you are my nose!” -from Gogol’s “The Nose”

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Literature & short story lovers: recently I was paid for a story published in Short Story, Long. To support the journal, I'd like to put the $ back into it by giving away a bunch of monthly subscriptions. Interested? DM me w/your email address! ashortstorylong.substack.com

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

❤️ Thanks for the recommendation here! Also, I enjoyed how you shared your draft here. Keep going with that novel-in-progress!

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

I haven’t painted with oil in months, but I just broke out the paints. My first step to getting started again: using titanium white, I painted over an old picture I made long ago that I disliked. Now I have an interesting “blank” and textured canvas to use. This experience felt unexpectedly great.

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

Pepper and salt are essential ingredients to have atop of any dining table.

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

I know it's beside the point, but the cover art is amazing!

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

A salad of purple cabbage, red bell peppers, both chopped, and topped with ranch dressing (with a dash of salt and two of pepper) is a very tasty lunch. Also, here's a drawing I made inspired by Josep Maria Subirachs.

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Peter Witte @peter-witte.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

For my first post, here is a picture of a sunflower that I made.

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