This post is part of a Nat. Brut series in which feminist writers, artists, and activists discuss people, publications, or organizations who are working toward inclusivity. Today, writer Koa Beck shares her choices.
Slice Magazine
Since Slice published my short story in 2011, founding co-publishers Celia Blue Johnson and Maria Gagliano have maintained pretty consistent gender parity in their issues — among fiction, poetry, essays, and interviews.
“I’ve never wanted to be an author who prides herself on being the only ‘lady writer’ accepted…”
I remember editing my piece with them not long after the first wave of VIDA numbers got a ton of attention, and I was immensely proud to see the published issue and count a robust number of female contributors. I’ve never wanted to be an author who prides herself on being the only “lady writer” accepted — and therefore deemed respectable — by the Literary boys’ club. I want to stand with other talented female writers and their work.
Saeed Jones
Saeed has been very outspoken…about the lack of diversity in the literary world..”
In addition to launching the BuzzFeed LGBT vertical, Saeed has been very outspoken and gloriously articulate about the lack of diversity in the literary world and publishing — and across so many mediums: Twitter, Facebook, and essays. He has critiqued all-white and predominantly male mastheads in literary magazines and established a fellowship program at BuzzFeed for emerging writers (along with a $12,000 stipend!) When he announced his new position as BuzzFeed’s literary editor, he told Flavorwire, “When we expect young writers to get experience via unpaid internships, we’re actually saying we want only wealthy people writing about American culture in an influential way.” I’m really excited to see what he’ll do with the BuzzFeed literary magazine in 2016.
Riverhead Books
As a freelance journalist, I receive my weight in galleys. It’s perhaps my favorite part, in addition to the writing, of being a writer. Having said that, I’m very attuned to how books are promoted and which books are promoted.
“…they appear to actively promote these female authors.”
As someone who is in front of a lot of press releases, I feel like I’m always getting a steady supply of upcoming books from Riverhead by female authors. But more importantly, they appear to actively promote these female authors. Between Riverhead’s Instagram and traditional press outreach, I’m consistently being presented with female voices (both emerging and established).
Kalyani Magazine
“I’ve never encountered a literary magazine that is so inclusive of all women…”
Kalyani is an annual literary magazine for women of color that publishes a breadth of work from women all over the world: Africa, Southeast Asia, India, the US, and Canada. Kalyani’s editors also welcome work by queer women. The founder, Shubha Bala, was inspired to establish the magazine after an exchange with her grandmother who, upon being asked about her life, insisted that she “had no story.” Kalyani describes themselves as “an accessible literary magazine which encourages all women of color to view themselves as writers, readers, and supports each other on this path.” I’ve never encountered a literary magazine that is so inclusive of all women, everywhere.
Koa Beck’s reporting and essays have appeared in Salon, The Atlantic, Alternet, The New York Observer, The Guardian, and The Hairpin. Her short stories have been published in Slice, Kalyani Magazine, Apogee Journal, Nat. Brut, and The Ink and Code. She lives in Brooklyn, NY.
Nat. Brut is a biannual journal of art and literature that aims to advance equality and inclusivity in all creative fields. To learn more about us, or to order a copy of our latest issue, visit us online!
