NH Poet Laureate guides magazine by teens, for teens
Under the Madness is a new magazine, designed and managed by an editorial board of New Hampshire teens under the mentorship of New Hampshire State Poet Laureate Alexandria Peary, featuring creative writing by teens from all over the world. Submissions are being accepted now for the first issue, set to be published in February. Peary discussed the magazine and the importance of providing opportunities for young writers to be published.
How and why was the magazine started?
The magazine began as an offshoot of the 2021 North Country Young Writers’ Festival. It just felt like a natural outgrowth … of the festival. I held an initial meeting at last May’s festival so students from across the state could hear about this exciting opportunity, and most of the editorial staff were participants at the festival. The intent is to provide New Hampshire teens with leadership opportunities in the creative arts and to empower them to make decisions benefiting fellow teens.
What is your role?
My official title is editor in chief, but what I do is mentor the teen editors, helping them acquire leadership skills and connections with people their age who are likewise interested in writing. For example, pretty soon, I’ll be showing the editorial staff how to submit their own creative writing to magazines so they gain an other-side-of-the-table experience of what it’s like for a writer to trust a magazine staff with work.
What kind of content does the magazine feature?
The magazine features poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction. … Creative nonfiction is not your average five-paragraph school essay; [it] means flash nonfiction, literary journalism, personal essays, memoir excerpts — true writing told with the story-telling tools of fiction and the vivid language of poetry. For our first issue, we’re not running a theme, but we anticipate future issues revolving around themes, including special issues or sections devoted to teens writing from other continents. I’m in conversation over social media with writers and arts organizers from a few countries. The magazine also runs a blog, composed by the editors. Our first two blog posts are interviews of editors at nationally known literary magazines.
What is the meaning behind the magazine’s name, Under the Madness?
It speaks to the confusing whirlwind faced by teenagers [due to the] pandemic, political polarization, global warming, inequity and unrest — [and] writing and creative expression as a way to set a foot on the ground when the adult-made sky seems to be spinning.
Who are your target readers?
The target readership are teens from anywhere around the globe who read or write in English. Adults will enjoy reading this magazine — I know I’m looking forward to sitting back with an espresso and perusing — but especially writing and language arts teachers. The writing resources will be relevant to anyone curious about how to write and publish.
Was there a need for a publication like this in New Hampshire?
The magazine addresses several creative needs in the state, but one of the biggest is to highlight the youth of the North Country, since the majority of the editorial staff, as well as our community advisors, reside in that part of the state.
How does writing and being published impact teens’ lives?
One thing I’ve noticed as a professor and as state poet laureate and just from circulating in the world as a writer is that people of all ages hesitate to push the ‘Submit’ button. People face an uphill battle with self-doubt and rejection fears. So in development are resources our magazine will offer to help others find the confidence and endurance to try for publication. … [Publishing and writing] is hugely important [for teens] because it helps a student step beyond the fenced-in world of just writing for grades and teachers. Writing is far bigger and too important to be confined to the classroom. I’m a huge advocate of young people sending their work out, even if they have no intention of becoming an English major in college or a writer by trade.
Submit to Under the Madness
Submissions are being accepted now through Jan. 20 for the first issue of Under the Madness, set to be published in February. Writers from anywhere in the world who are ages 13 to 19 at the time of submission are eligible. Submissions may include poetry and short fiction and creative nonfiction and must be written in or translated into English and previously unpublished. Visit underthemadnessmagazine.com for full submission guidelines.
Featured photo: Alexandria Peary. Courtesy photo.
