Kyle Cox

What have you been up to these last couple of months?

I am finishing up my last couple of semesters of school. I went back as a nontraditional student. So that takes up a fair chunk of my time. I am also in the process of resurrecting my university's Art & Literary Journal that's been dormant since the midst of the pandemic

(www.TheAccentJournal.com).

Shameless plug: We'll be open for submissions soon so stay tuned. 

So that takes up another chunk, along with family and a sports writing job, I am constantly trying to crowbar in some writing time for my own stuff.

What are your long-term creative plans? Are you working on something big and secret or taking it day by day?

I would love to write fiction full-time. I have a couple projects going, but the main one is a novel. I'm currently slogging through Draft No. 3. Also planning on applying to grad school this fall so we'll see where that goes if I get that opportunity. 

What’s the status of your mental health these days? It’s in all ways prosaic to say that we live in trying times. How is the zeitgeist responsible? What are some actionable ways in which you’re taking steps to quiet the void, if any? (If it’s a glass of wine and an episode of Mad Men at the day’s end, that counts, please know that).

It varies but mostly riding on top of the wave.

I had some significant life events break open simultaneous to the start of Covid which made for a strange macro-micro trauma dynamic. Like most of us, I try to find a balance between the big-picture stuff and managing things I can control, but I'd say these times at least add a layer of overall tension and anxiety. 

When I'm good, I try to exercise or run, or read or write to quiet the void. Things that are for me, help me. But sometimes it involves a glass of something, cooking a meal or some form of productive procrastination, while pumping Audible into my ear.

What is something you’d like readers to take away from your work in regards to mental health advocacy, discussion, or criticism?

I don't know that I have much that's profound to say but I like to think I let my characters do the talking. To that point, I try not to shy away from their ugly parts, which can be scary since their ugly parts mostly come from some ugly part of me. So, I guess I'll say: We've all got warts. So acknowledge your warts, folks. Normalize warts.

Why do you create, still, despite the climate and political current and pervasive doubt we’re made slaves to? 

I think that's a reason to create. Personally, it helps me process some of the stuff I couldn't otherwise. As an artform, reading fiction specifically, allows us to connect with others, or to at least practice empathy in a relatively safe space. There's an unfortunate lack of empathy in our society and those connections seem to be more devalued every day. 

When was the last time you told your psychiatrist or therapist something you were afraid to disclose? In your own words, how do you feel about going up against the stigma?

It's been a minute. I won't get specific, but I will say that it was a pretty profound moment. She looked at me, smiled, and gave me some version of "it's about time." The resistance is normal, it's part of the process. I can't say that I have witnessed anything specific to the literary community, but you fear those comments are just around a closed door or bobbing below a turned-up nose. I think it goes back to empathy and connection and treating others as humans. Once you've gone through issues in your own life, there's no excuse not to have a little grace with others. 

Anything else you’d like to share?

I just appreciate the opportunity. I love Libre and was truly honored to be considered for publication. Lit mags and journals are important, but this one is especially so. 

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Kyle Cox is the Editor-in-Chief of The Accent, an Arts & Literary Journal at the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma. He is finishing up his undergrad in English Literature. He has been a professional sportswriter for nine years.

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