NeverSocrates

Jason Kish completed an English B.A. with Communication Media minor at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Robert E. Cook’s Honor’s College. He has concentrations in writing and literary studies. He’s written and edited for a national publication, and his photography and writing have been published numerous times in various literary magazines. Also, he worked as an English tutor for ARIN (for those studying to obtain a GED) and for IUP's American Language Institute.

Thanks for reading!

SOME PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

● Kish, Jason (2018). "Scraps for Compost." Poem published by "Into the Void" Magazine.
● Kish, Jason (2017). "Kaytlin Sumner," photo published by Johnstown Magazine.
● Kish, Jason (2017). "Kayt, Bryan, and I at the Fair" and "Home Run Cheer," published by the Indiana Gazette.
● Kish, Jason (2016). "Opportunity is Someone’s Broken Heart," published by Tiny Poetry Magazine
● Kish, Jason (2016). "Black Ridge: Alec Redd," and "Drum Blast," Photography published by the Magnolia Review
● Kish, Jason (2016). "Magic of Salt." Flash Fiction published by Gravel Magazine
● Kish, Jason (2016). "Hearts of Home: How a Beagle Helps a Human." Flash Fiction Published by Capper's Farmer's Magazine
● Kish, Jason (2016). Probably Enough. Poem Published by Wild Age Press. "Restless" Edition, an online magazine with a sharp edge
● Kish, Jason (2015).  Prayers for Annie and “The Visiting Hours.”  Poetry and Flash Fiction published by the New Growth Arts review (NGAR), an IUP literary magazine
● Kish, Jason (2014).  Meditation on July Fourth.  Poem published by the New Growth Arts Review (NGAR), an IUP literary magazine
● Kish, Jason (2014).  “Internalized Racism in Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, Nella Larson’s Passing, and August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.”  Paper presented at the Issues of Diversity Series Sponsored by the Frederick Douglass Institute at IUP
● Kish, Jason (2014).  “Never to Return:  A Rhetorical Analysis of Love in ‘The Highwayman.’”  Paper presented at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania EAPSU Conference
● Kish, Jason (2007-2008).  “A Linguistic Analysis of the ‘Bad Boy.’”  Paper presented at the annual California University of Pennsylvania English Conference
● Kish, Jason (2007-2008).  “A Linguistic Analysis of the ‘Bad Boy.’”  Paper presented at the annual Indiana University of Pennsylvania English Conference
● Kish, Jason (2005).  “Internalized Racism in Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, Nella Larson’s Passing, and August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” Paper presented by Pittsburgh’s annual Pennsylvania College of English Conference

A quote from the Satori Issue of Black and Grey Magazine:
"Jason Kish: I’ve realized and accepted an important tenet from Buddhism: You should always be prepared for death at any point in your life. I haven’t always lived this way. Years ago, my friend asked me to see a 'vampire movie,' which, sadly, turned out to be Twilight. While driving home, a drunk driver almost collided with our car; we swerved and ended up in a snow bank. I turned to my friend and said, 'My life flashed before my eyes, and Twilight was the longest part.'"
- Black and Grey, www.blackandgreymagazine.com/w…

Philosophy behind Artist’s Critiques and Commentary:
I firmly believe that the biggest competition an artist faces is from themselves. When I offer critiques here, I try to assess the current skill level of the artist: beginner, intermediate, or advanced. Because it’s impossible to get to know everyone, I base my responses and my comments solely on your previous artwork or writing. If I offer a criticism on a piece or point out a flaw, please don’t take it personal – it’s simply based on the fact that you’ve already created a better work previously in your gallery folder.

I like to do viewer and reader response criticism, but also incorporate and apply a variety of critical theory such as Queer Theory, Marxism, Feminism, Post-Colonial, New Criticism, or even Psychoanalytical Theory to the text. Most of the time, I just want to offer writers encouragement and inspiration on any possible level. I usually try to ground the use of those theories on the subject matter and the historical context they are from, and for my own essays prefer close readings of texts (meaning, what is in the work is what takes precedent in my responses).

That said, my ratings can seem all over the place, and that is because everyone’s skill level is unique to them personally, and I don’t find giving a numerical value to art very useful for an artist. Please feel free to send me any personal questions that you have or second or even third drafts, or notify me if you want a different kind of criticism applied to your work, and I will most likely respond depending on my time schedule.

Sincerely,
Jason Kish :)