MAKING WAVES: Pride 2026

A Black woman sits in the forest in a blue peasant dress, the close of Little Red Riding Hood flung behind her. She holds a basket of apples and pastries in her left hand. Her right arm is around a snarling wolf in front of a portal to a burning city

Special Issue 5 | Spring 2026

The theme isn’t only for those rejoicing in the queer experience; it’s also for those who continue to feel like they must hide their own identity because of discrimination, whether in employment, relationships, or basic human rights.

If you are reading this and feel that you must conceal your authentic self for any reason, know this: You are not alone. You can find pride and advocacy groups in your area.

There is still much progress to be made, but if we stand united, we can demand the kind of change that is needed.

Cover art, “Spirit of the Wolf,” by Amuri Morris.
 
We encourage you to ask your local bookstore if they are able to order this issue for you. Copies will be made available at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts’ gift store, and Ludington’s bookstore, the Book Mark.

VISUAL ART


AUDIO

Several members of Ludington Writers are visually impaired and their advocacy and input on how Ludington Writers, Making Waves, and our world as a whole could be more inclusive led us to seek to provide author-read audio of each of the pieces selected for this issue.

We are grateful to each author who participated in this endeavor.

Audio Block
Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more
Nicole Bernadette Birkett

Nicole Bernadette Birkett is the editor in chief of Ludington Writers’ relaunched publication, Making Waves. An award-winning poet from the boglands of rural West Michigan, Nicole raises goats, sheep, and miscellaneous fowl and equine.

 

When not writing or triaging, Nicole assists the Michigan Education Association from their Ludington field office and leads the Ludington Writers group and the Mason County 4-H creative writing program. Her work has appeared in Variety Pack and MSU presses the Offbeat and OATS.

 

@nbbirkett

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