Writing Our Legacy, in association with New Writing South, has announced the launch of the first edition of Covert – a literary magazine showcasing the talent of Black, Asian and ethnically diverse writers and artists.
The theme for the inaugural edition of the magazine, which primarily showcases original writing and art by people from or with links to Sussex, is Sussex Fortuneteller: What Do Writers See in the Future?
Fifteen writers and six artists have been selected to feature in the magazine following a call out for submissions in July 2020. Guest Editors Dean Atta and Umi Sinha, supported by the magazine editorial team, have provided mentoring and editorial direction for the development of their work.
Covert launches on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at Writing Our Legacy’s end of season online celebration event, which will feature live music and readings from writers and artists of colour.
The magazine was created as part of Writing Our Legacy’s Covid-19 response literary programme New Narratives: We Need to Change the Stories We’re Telling. The Sussex-based arts organisation plans to produce subsequent editions of the magazine in 2021 and beyond, as part of its commitment to supporting the development and profiling of writers and artists of colour.
Lesley Wood, Chief Executive of New Writing South, said: “Over and over again, with the smallest budget and the biggest heart, Writing Our Legacy brings excellent new work by BAME writers and artists out into the world. Covert magazine is a bold old/new way to showcase some of the UK’s most exciting emerging writers whose fresh ideas and strong voices inspire our minds and nurture our souls. New Writing South is proud to support this work.”
Amy Zamarripa Solis, Chair and Programme Manager, Writing Our Legacy, said: “We are thrilled to present Covert Literary Magazine, in association with New Writing South, which showcases diverse creative talent from Sussex, South East of England and beyond. Expect fiction, poetry and art work that explores beyond traditional dystopian and sci-fi narrative edges, with climate emergency and the coronavirus playing itself out to interesting effect. We also have a return to nature, a glimpse into space, and a backwards look to colonial and diaspora pasts to glean insight as we navigate our way into the future. Enjoy the magazine! ”
Click here to purchase a digital or physical copy from December 5.
Tickets for the online launch event on December 5 are available by clicking here.