2026 Detroit Metro Times Fiction Issue

When watching the news, tragic stories involving teenagers seemingly dominate every channel.  Whether it’s shootings, car crashes, or viral clips of teen takeovers taking a turn for the worse, as an 18-year-old student at Michigan State University, it feels as if there is no shortage of eyes on the state of our adolescents right now. 

However, when our attention is directed solely at the negative, on fighting and disorganization, we miss the opportunity to hear the underlying message: teens are not looking for ways to cause trouble, rather we are searching for mediums to be heard. 

Today’s youth have experienced a world pandemic, political turmoil, and unprecedented technological advances that significantly influence the ways we engage in our communities. COVID-19 school disruptions sent shockwaves through both students and their parents, and families battled a number of different financial and personal stresses while navigating the isolation and uncertainty of the time. Although it may feel distant now, the effects of the global pandemic are still apparent in many lives.  

Instead of socializing in person with our peers, we were forced to find other ways to connect. For myself and many other youth, art was the coping strategy that made the years more bearable. Open windows and empty chairs starred as the centerpieces of poems. Social media was a place to post paintings and share drawing techniques. We captured the most mundane moments and turned them into celebrations. Even as the world shifted back to a sense of normality, creativity became an ingrained way of life.

It is a misconception that today’s teens are uninformed and uninterested in education, politics, and civic responsibilities. The writing and art in this year’s Fiction Issue, solicited via an open call for submissions for Metro Detroit students aged 14 -19 on the theme worthy of our eyes, helps to prove that young people are not removed from the workings of society, but have the ability and desire to be an integral part of inciting change. The current state of our world is not one that we are willing to overlook. 

In this year’s issue, the prose, poetry, and artwork submitted span ages, school districts, and cultures. Every artist represented here holds a unique wealth of knowledge, and it is imperative that we continue to ignite new voices and allow them the space to flourish.

We are asking you now to hear our stories and to take our perspectives into consideration. Celebrate our wins, support us through our decisions, and continue to be present with the young people in your life. We thank you for reading our narratives.

Poetically Yours,Charisma HollyYouth Editor