If literary publications are concerned about their future, they might do well to assess what they are doing to fuel the creative interests of the next generation, as evidenced by Apotheca Journal, a monthly online publication showcasing poetry, short stories, novel excerpts, creative non-fiction, photography, artwork, and more by contributors aged 14-22.
Founder and Editor Ann Sproul explains how one experience encouraged her to launch a literary magazine, “When I was in seventh grade, I received my first writing award: publication and a $1,000 scholarship from Bluefire Journal. The whole experience really raised my confidence not only as a writer but as a person. Ever since then, I have wanted to edit for a magazine. The world needs young writers and artists who realize that their voice is valuable. Those are the people who are going to grow up and be unapologetic for what they have to say. It can be difficult for young writers and artists since the majority of magazines are for adults. Through Apotheca, I am hoping to afford other young writers and artists the same confidence I felt when I was first published.”
Medicine for the Soul
The name “Apotheca” stems from the word “Apothecary,” as Sproul adds, “Art and literature have been, to me, a certain type of medicine, and the name ‘Apotheca’ reflects that. I like to think of Apotheca as sort of a medicine cabinet for the soul.”
Already, Sproul has found a lot of encouragement for this venture, “Every time I have told someone about my magazine, they have been positive. Honestly, I was a little nervous how people would react, but everyone has been incredibly kind and told me that it’s very cool.”
Keeping It Accessible
For writers looking to submit works, Apotheca Journal releases a new issue on the first day of every month. Themes are announced in advance, and submissions are due by the 15th of every month. The publication uses themes, Sproul explains, “to nudge contributors to create something new,” but they also accept old and previously published art/writing. Apotheca Journal is available for free online at any time on anyflip, aligning with their mission to keep art and literature accessible to everyone.
Sproul is the main reader for all submissions, with a strong experiential background, having been published in Bluefire Journal, Exiles of Eden Lit, The Cove Review, and other literary magazines. She also has three Scholastic Silver Keys and three honorable mentions. “Occasionally,” Sproul notes, “I will provide feedback if it is requested or if edits are needed to make a story suitable for publication, but the majority of submissions do not receive feedback. Typically, response emails are sent by the 25th of each month, so response time could be anywhere between six weeks to ten days depending on when a piece was submitted. We do respond within six weeks.”
Diversity in Style and Content
Readers can expect to enjoy a broad range of content and styles, with art, poetry, and fiction by young writers across the globe. “That could include finding a submission from India, then Germany, then Canada,” says Sproul. “Stylistically, we accept a diverse range of work, with everything from fantasy to realistic fiction. Overall, readers can expect an eclectic and diverse selection from the next generation of writers and artists.”
Some recent contributors include Luzon D., Sofia Ida Cestari, Sania Shah Sunehra, Chainka, Mercedes Hawks, Jade Rothbaum, Cecy Grace, Issac Ferguson, Claire Kroening, Christina Zhang, Jade Pu, China Roberto, Emaan Tabish, Annabelle Bahr, Samantha Sims, Sylvia Zaman, Evelyn McDowell, Danny Ferguson, Kathryn Hatchett, A. Vergarra Hein, Ashmi Guha, and Nasta Martyn.
Teamwork Works
The publication start-up process can be a grueling one, but as Sproul reflected on what she learned through the process, she was quick to comment, “How to rely on others. I’m very independent minded and usually like to do things by myself, especially creative pursuits. However, when you run a literary magazine, it forces you to depend on other people because of its collaborative nature. I’m still figuring that out and have finally decided to put together a larger team to help me with some of my editorial duties. But I think the most important thing I’ve learned is that sometimes collaboration makes your project better. That when you bring together a group of different people, especially one as diverse as the contributors to our magazine have proven to be, you get a huge bank of new ideas that reinforce each other and become much stronger than what a single person could produce.”
This collective energy will definitely help with the future plans Sproul envisions, “Currently, our team is in the process of expanding, so my first goal is to create a broader editing base. Shortly after that, I will go to college, which may open up funding opportunities but will hopefully also offer me some chances to network with other publishers. I’m hoping I can begin nominating contributors for prizes then.”
A More Mindful Future
For all that is upbeat in Sproul’s experience, she, like many of us, harbors concern about what she has witnessed and experienced directly, “I fear my peer’s indifference. It’s the fact that my creative writing teacher stopped teaching the class because she realized 80% of the assignments being submitted were written using artificial intelligence. It’s the shrinking relevance of the arts in my community. My life has always revolved around the arts. I am very concerned about the future and what it might mean when people stop taking joy out of creating and consuming literature, art, music, and film. I am afraid that this reflects a growing trend in youth today that paralyzes critical thinking and instead promotes mindless indulgence of whatever we are spoon-fed on social media. I have worked to address this every way I can. My end goal with Apotheca is to encourage people to read and reflect and not just consume content mindlessly.”
Providing hope for the future is no small task, but Apotheca Journal is a mechanism for achieving this. Stop on over and take a look for yourself!
