Aesthetica: New Literary/Arts Magazine
Hello,
I am Cherie Federico and I am writing to you with regards to a new literary magazine that is independent and non-profit that is based in York.
The magazine is called Aesthetica: A Review of Contemporary Artists.
I’ll give you a few details:
We are a literary magazine that was started by two York residents. We were both students and decided that York needed something different, fresh, and something that could connect people. We are both big readers and appreciate good works, however there always seems to be some kind of aura around literature that intimidates if not closes doors to people. I think that everyone has a voice and I am interested to hear what people have to say about our community and our world. We promote creativity, equality, and diversity.
I started Aesthetica by using my university fee money. (I paid my fees eventually and got my MA).
We don’t make any money on this or receive any funds for our time. We do it because it is starting to make a difference. The main objective is to provide a forum for people to unite creative energy within a contemporary textual space. We publish poetry, prose, articles, reviews, drama, interviews, photography, and artwork. Each issue of Aesthetica is 96-100 pages, perfect bound, and 6-8 pieces of full-colour artwork.
The first issue was more than hard work. It was as if I could just quit and no one would ever know because we were not known at all. Finally issue one came out and people liked it. They contributed again, told their friends and then we produced issue two. From these issues grew nights of free entertainment that consisted of performance poetry and live music. The events create a space for writers and artists to reach the public. People started telling me that they enjoyed themselves. The magazine became a real link between different communities and cultures, York, London, the north, south, east, west, and beyond–a bond between strangers.
We aim to publish Aesthetica every second month, six times a year. As for Issue three, our launch night was a great success. I would estimate that well over one hundred people turned up. We had people asking when the next one was going to be and people already asking if they could play music.
We have sold out of issue two except for the copies still available in Borders. We now have distributed through Borders in York, Leeds, Brighton, Islington (London), and Oxford Street (London). We are looking to expand this even more nationwide.
We are looking to include CD reviews and interviews. As for now, we are compiling Issue Four. We are also attracting writers from all over the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and America. We have also started a free writers workshop at The Gateway Café, which is an informal session where people who have an interest in writing get together for two hours and chat about writing, arts, whatever. We are also re-launching our new website www.aestheticamagazine.com (to be finished soon but is up and running, please keep checking the site for updates)
What is also amazing is the friendships that are being built from these launch nights. It has the real sense of a community but a community that is interested in just being themselves, having a good time and appreciating literature and art for what it is and for who the people are who write it.
Aesthetica has been mentioned on BBC North Yorkshire Radio, in The Yorkshire Evening Press, Orbis, Flock, Literature News, and Verb. Also, BBC North Yorkshire Radio is planning on doing another feature on us.
Recently, Aesthetica made its way to Poetry Challenge 2003, at Union Chapel in Islington, where co-founder, Dale Donley recited poetry for the first time in his life.
I would describe Aesthetica as slightly different than most literary magazines and even the plans for the workshop as slightly different. I am mostly interested in making music, literature, and art accessible for everyone. There are too many stigmas attached to literature. Tony Harrison is one of my favourite poets; he talks about breaking down barriers. That is really my main objective for beginning Aesthetica.
I would really like more people to find out about Aesthetica, the free workshop, the free event nights. I would like to encourage people to put pen to paper and write or pick up a guitar and sing, perhaps starting taking photos again, or just enjoy themselves.
If you are interested in submitting or would like more general information please contact me. We are also interested in promoting each other---things happen much easier and quicker when working together.
Thanks for your time. I hope to hear from you.
Kind Regards,
Cherie
Cherie Federico
The Editor
Aesthetica
A Review of Contemporary Artists
