Out of this world: new magazine for young writers on launch pad
A new print magazine aimed at promoting the talents of writers and artists aged under 30 is being launched by poet and editor, Charlotte Henson, aided by poet and interviewer Tim Wells. Astronaut is seeking submissions for its first issue due out in January.
Charlotte explained Astronaut’s youth policy: “Po-faced poets are everything that’s wrong with the poetry scene right now. No one wants to read something by some chap who thinks he’s superior to you in every way, waffles on in unintelligible code and calls it metaphor. What we need is something fresh, young, dynamic and exciting; something totally new that engages and starts its own trends.”
Short stories, articles and artwork are welcome from those aged under 30 as well as poetry. You can like Astronaut on Facebook and follow it on Twitter.
Charlotte Henson
Mon 26th Nov 2012 21:27
Full interview (to add a little context to this quote) asked by Tim Wells (who will not be assisting with submissions):
Are you sitting in a tin can?
Oh yes. Far above the world. Planet Earth is blue and there’s nothing I can do (P.S. please don’t sue me, Bowie).
It’s a new ‘zine, is it print or on the interweb?
Print! I think there’s something a bit special about seeing your name on a page, and I just don’t get the same rush on screen. I mean, others might, I dunno. But I prefer print.
Who’s in it?
That depends on submissions, but featured poets so far include Jack Underwood, Max Wallis and Helen Mort. There should be some more exciting names coming up, but I can’t say anything on that just now.
Is it another mag’ putting the po-faced into poetry?
God no! Po-faced poets are everything that’s wrong with the poetry scene right now. No one wants to read something by a fella who thinks he’s superior to you in every way waffle on in unintelligible code and call it metaphor. What we need is something fresh, young, dynamic and exciting; something totally new that engages and starts its own trends. I hope Astronaut can be that.
What does it taste like?
Cucumbers. Cucumbers are good.
Where can I get mine?
In January! Drop us an email at astronautzine@gmail.com (incidentally, this is the email you can send your submissions to as well) and we’ll post you one off. Alternatively, ‘like’ the Facebook page and we’ll post details of the numerous launch dates. A bit more exciting.