Low Hanging Fruit
Feb 4, 2026
Latest updates on our featured writers and artists
It’s been a busy start to the year for several contributors from our recent issues. From debut novel launches to major features in international journals, the artists and writers associated with Low Hanging Fruit continue to gain traction in the broader literary and arts community.
The Debut of Fake Fish
Josje Weusten has officially released her debut novel, Fake Fish (Sparsile Books). The story, a dystopian look at truth and deception, was recently showcased during Scotland’s Book Week. Josje is also moving into the academic sphere this year, with a forthcoming collection of personal stories scheduled for translation through Maastricht University Press.
Speculative Success and Major Features
Mahaila Smith’s narrative poetry collection, Seed Beetle, continues to pick up steam. An early 2026 review from Strange Horizons highlighted the work’s "melancholic surrealism" and its refusal to offer easy answers to climate change and capitalism. Elsewhere, Carella Keil is currently the featured artist and poet for Burningword Literary Journal’s Winter 2026 issue (Issue 117), which highlights her recent surrealist digital art alongside her poetry.
Voice from the Behind Bars
The long-awaited collection subhuman. by Kashawn Taylor is moving toward its official release with Wayfarer Books. Taylor’s "prison poetry," written during his incarceration, has already begun appearing in high-profile journals like Poetry Magazine and the Indiana Review, marking him as a significant new voice in social activism and confessional verse.
Social Journalism: Chitra Gopalakrishnan in New Delhi
Chitra Gopalakrishnan has had a landmark start to the year. On February 3, she published a major reporting piece for Different Truths regarding the Indian Supreme Court’s revolutionary ruling that declares menstrual health a fundamental "Right to Life." Beyond her journalism, Chitra also recently released a deep-dive review of the anthology Wives, exploring the complexities of 48 international poets.
Christian Brewster’s Print Special
Right here in our own backyard, Christian Brewster has been documenting the shifting landscape of the San Gabriel Valley. He recently released a January 2026 Special Print Edition of the Colorado Boulevard Newspaper, capturing everything from Altadena’s cultural "renaissance" to the economic resilience of Pasadena’s small businesses. It’s the kind of boots-on-the-ground reporting that keeps the community connected.
Anthologies and Myth with Emma Elias
Emma Elias is currently riding a wave of anthology momentum. She recently joined the Writing Quest series to discuss her craft and announced her inclusion in the new Dragon Dreams anthology from Storm Dragon Publishing. Between the podcast rounds, she’s also finalizing a new novel that leans into Mediterranean mythology—definitely one to keep an eye on as the year progresses.
Gabriel Deibel in West LA
Gabriel Deibel is keeping the live arts scene alive across West LA. Blending his UCLA musicology background with his Malibu singer-songwriter roots, Gabriel has been performing original sets that bridge the gap between technical theory and coastal folk. If you’re in the Westside or Malibu area, his live sessions are becoming a staple of the local surfing and arts community.
Chainka Stands with Ukraine
Chainka continues to represent the creative resilience of Ukraine, with her work being featured in the Wildfire Words "Stand with Ukraine" 2026 project [7.2], which supports humanitarian efforts through UNICEF.
LHF Updates
On the home front, the Michael Madsen Poetry Awards are moving into their first active year. As the magazine begins accepting submissions for 2026, the focus remains on finding "confessional street poetry" that carries on the honest, uncompromising legacy of our editor’s late father.
That's all for this roundup, stay tuned for the next!