Author: Grace Li
In this installment of the Student Spotlight Series, we speak with Shadia Literary Magazine, a group dedicated to highlighting marginalized creatives and their voices.
Q1. How do you define the mission of Shadia Literary Magazine, and what voices are you aiming to uplift through this project?
We aim to celebrate arts and creativity. Hence we aim to uplift and reach voice that are marginalised, voices that don’t have access to larger spaces. We want voices that are not afraid to confront any kind of situations, voices that want to speak up and call upon change.
Q2. Is there a specific moment or experience that inspired you to start your literary magazine? How does this shape how you lead Shadia Literary Magazine?
I remember reading “Shirley, Goodness and Mercy” a memoir by Chris Van Wyk, that man showed his love for literature throughout his childhood and how his friends and him opened a press/magazine where they publised things, this made me realise that i love literature too and i want to make an impact to someone else like he did. Shadia literary magazine is open for everyone that wants to publish and tell their stories.
Q3. Your current call for submissions centers on a theme of Unsent Letters: what drew you to this theme, and what kinds of emotions or experiences are you hoping contributors explore through it?
Unset Letters was a Collab between Shadia Literary magazine and Letters of Confession magazine. We came up with the theme together and we were looking for raw emotions that many people are afraid of facing.
Q4. Have you received any submissions so far that surprised you in how they interpreted the Unsent Letters theme? Why did you find it meaningful?
Yes, the piece spoke about isolating and grief in the most touching way and without being afraid. They were not afraid of confronting their grief. Which is exactly what we were looking for.
Q5. Looking ahead, are there themes you’re particularly excited to explore in future issues?
Yes, we are so interested in LOVE, yearning and madness. Artists and creatives get it!!
Thank you to Shadia Literary Magazine for joining us in this interview! Please check out their work here: https://69023a796a485.site123.me/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnWDli_9GqUESAiBXh0mE6K2UucAM7XUsDom06sjwCmTjylXjq5L7Cc-_wyok_aem_3X-Gg72v_jIUv1sK4zTMmg
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