It's really appalling how, in the UK especially, arts funding is cut to the bone, and our government encourages young people to put maths and science above Arts subjects. English Lit has apparently fallen from most popular A level to 16th, which is really depressing.
Great article Kate; you've encouraged me to seek out new (and older) women writers I've not read.
I agree; we need all skills and subjects to be studied and celebrated, including all areas of the arts. And I'm glad to have encouraged a wish to seek out more women writers! 😀
Really enjoyed this post, thanks Kate. Like you, my ambition from a youngish age was to feature in literary magazines (and the reason behind finally studying for a magazine journalism masters). It’ll be interesting to see how literary journalism develops on Substack.
Really enjoyed the insights you gave into the world of literary journals! I’ve been interested in reading more in this realm and seeing more close shop has been devastating. I wonder if you’ve ever heard of Sur? It was an Argentine literary magazine in the 20th century launched by Victoria Ocampo. Sadly it closed its doors in the 90s a few years after her passing. I hope, like you state, that Substack can be a way for writers to get noticed and make a living, especially with how things are heading. I’m curious as to what Substack is going to become in the literary space. For now I’m just glad I can find new writers to support.
Thank you for reading, Luka. I don't think I have come across Sur, sad that it went the way of many others. I hope that Substack can maintain a place for discovering new writing talent, as there is really a need for this space.
I think - like so much - this can start with education. Give us money and resources for the arts (literature) and we can empower people to understand the value of these publications! We should use them directly in class as early as late primary school. They will want to be a part of them themselves. Great topic, Kate. 🩵🩵🩵
Oh and also, Kate your newsletter has compelled and inspired me to search and read more about the women writers and poets of my mother tongue as well. The more I research the more exciting this journey is.
Lots of great stuff here Kate. Your insights always provide me with new and interesting information. Keep up the great work of bringing attention to an important topic. All the best.
Fantastic newsletter. It's always so sad to see creative pursuits deemed not worthy of funding, especially as these publications add so much value to people's lives. As you say, platforms like Substack are a good place to get your voice out there as a middle ground - but it's great to see women like Baxter pushing for the importance of literary magazines in the modern age x
Thank you! 😊 I agree; creative work often doesn't get the funding or resources it deserves. Where would we be without art and writing, of all kinds?? Thank you for reading and your thoughtful comments 💕
Kate! This was such a great post to read an a good reminder about the ways lit magazines are and are not funded. Have you heard of Sick Magazine https://sickmagazine.org/ (edited by Olivia Spring)? It's my current favorite magazine that shares writing and art by sick and disabled people and it's beautifully made, too.
Can I say that this issue almost made me cry? Because I've seen so many little magazines (that's what we call the small press literally magazines in my locality) shut down in the past 3 years. So many things are lost. Some of my favourite writers and poets in my vernacular also started their journey through lit mags. Thanks Kate for another brilliant issue of newsletter.
Almost by accident I stumbled into AWP (Association of Writers and Writing Programs) when it was here in Seattle.
It filled out just about the entirety of Seattle's Convention Center. I have an old program and a stack of free stickers tucked away here, and it says they filled out 500,000 sqft of convention hall space and had 200+ different vendors.
All to say, I choose to believe on the cusp of 1970 before the great explosion they saw something similar. Older ways of doing things were slowly getting their lunch eaten by the new way of doing things.
It's really appalling how, in the UK especially, arts funding is cut to the bone, and our government encourages young people to put maths and science above Arts subjects. English Lit has apparently fallen from most popular A level to 16th, which is really depressing.
Great article Kate; you've encouraged me to seek out new (and older) women writers I've not read.
I agree; we need all skills and subjects to be studied and celebrated, including all areas of the arts. And I'm glad to have encouraged a wish to seek out more women writers! 😀
Really enjoyed this post, thanks Kate. Like you, my ambition from a youngish age was to feature in literary magazines (and the reason behind finally studying for a magazine journalism masters). It’ll be interesting to see how literary journalism develops on Substack.
Thank you, Victoria, and how wonderful to study magazine journalism! 😊
Really enjoyed the insights you gave into the world of literary journals! I’ve been interested in reading more in this realm and seeing more close shop has been devastating. I wonder if you’ve ever heard of Sur? It was an Argentine literary magazine in the 20th century launched by Victoria Ocampo. Sadly it closed its doors in the 90s a few years after her passing. I hope, like you state, that Substack can be a way for writers to get noticed and make a living, especially with how things are heading. I’m curious as to what Substack is going to become in the literary space. For now I’m just glad I can find new writers to support.
Thank you for reading, Luka. I don't think I have come across Sur, sad that it went the way of many others. I hope that Substack can maintain a place for discovering new writing talent, as there is really a need for this space.
I think - like so much - this can start with education. Give us money and resources for the arts (literature) and we can empower people to understand the value of these publications! We should use them directly in class as early as late primary school. They will want to be a part of them themselves. Great topic, Kate. 🩵🩵🩵
Thanks, Kate! I thought it might resonate with you also :) I know we both wish for more emphasis on the arts in education.
Great post. It is so important to have small presses as a voice for writers. Thanks for some wonderful research
Thank you, so true.
Oh and also, Kate your newsletter has compelled and inspired me to search and read more about the women writers and poets of my mother tongue as well. The more I research the more exciting this journey is.
Oh, that's great news, Veenita! Happy new discoveries 😀
Lots of great stuff here Kate. Your insights always provide me with new and interesting information. Keep up the great work of bringing attention to an important topic. All the best.
Thank you for reading, Matthew! 😀
Fantastic newsletter. It's always so sad to see creative pursuits deemed not worthy of funding, especially as these publications add so much value to people's lives. As you say, platforms like Substack are a good place to get your voice out there as a middle ground - but it's great to see women like Baxter pushing for the importance of literary magazines in the modern age x
Thank you! 😊 I agree; creative work often doesn't get the funding or resources it deserves. Where would we be without art and writing, of all kinds?? Thank you for reading and your thoughtful comments 💕
Kate! This was such a great post to read an a good reminder about the ways lit magazines are and are not funded. Have you heard of Sick Magazine https://sickmagazine.org/ (edited by Olivia Spring)? It's my current favorite magazine that shares writing and art by sick and disabled people and it's beautifully made, too.
Thanks Kate! No, I haven't come across that one before. I'll definitely take a look at it. Thanks for sharing 😀
Can I say that this issue almost made me cry? Because I've seen so many little magazines (that's what we call the small press literally magazines in my locality) shut down in the past 3 years. So many things are lost. Some of my favourite writers and poets in my vernacular also started their journey through lit mags. Thanks Kate for another brilliant issue of newsletter.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Veenitr. It is a sad time for lovers of literature.
Almost by accident I stumbled into AWP (Association of Writers and Writing Programs) when it was here in Seattle.
It filled out just about the entirety of Seattle's Convention Center. I have an old program and a stack of free stickers tucked away here, and it says they filled out 500,000 sqft of convention hall space and had 200+ different vendors.
All to say, I choose to believe on the cusp of 1970 before the great explosion they saw something similar. Older ways of doing things were slowly getting their lunch eaten by the new way of doing things.
Thanks for this insight, Max.