A Year of Augur Magazine: Thoughts and Reflections

We’ve been busy in 2018.  

After running a successful crowdfunding campaign, publishing three issues, and obtaining Ontario Arts Council funding for Years 2–3, it’s been a whirlwind. And we’re celebrating in two ways:

One: We’re having a party! If you’re in the Toronto area next Thursday (November 15) evening, drop by SKETCH Working Arts and say hello to us.

Two: Our editors put together their thoughts on the past year with Augur and the new year to come. Keep scrolling to read what they had to say.

KERRIE

Editor-in-Chief

By far, the most rewarding part of the past year has been working with our writers. To the point where I keep taking on stories, even when I should probably be focusing entirely on the business side of things! We’ve been so lucky with the people we’ve gotten to work with, and I’ve been so lucky to be exposed to so many different kinds of processes and minds and storytelling methods. I’m looking forward to creating a space where we can pay these writers more (which they deserve!), and sending their work to more people—and financially rewarding the editors who are currently doing this labour for free.

I’m also looking forward into thinking hard about how we can make Augur more accessible to folks who aren’t able to pay for a subscription—I don’t want to go into Year 2 without having something actionable on hand. But I’m sure the people will continue being wonderful, and I can’t want for this community to grow.

MADO

Senior Editor

I joined Augur because, like my fellow editors, I love stories that don’t quite fit. I write them myself, and I wanted to help build a house for them to live in. In the past year of house-building, I’ve gotten to work with some incredible writers. I feel like I learn something new from each writer I work with, and I can’t wait to find out what I’ll learn next.

TERESE

Poetry Editor

I was and still am very excited to be on this Augur team; it’s one of the roles in my life I feel most proud of occupying. While I read and edit, I am constantly, happily, operating under our mandate—to make space for marginalized writers, to ensure their futures, literary and otherwise. My poets were gracious, open and intelligent—collaboration and cooperation at the forefront of their minds. Sometimes I felt as if I didn’t do much on my own, such a high calibre was their work. Poetry is a form which lends itself to beauty and vulnerability, and I am honoured that my role as poetry editor allows me to witness and facilitate this kind of expression. I look forward to more exciting work with Augur, and I can’t wait to see where we go from here.

ALEX

Managing Editor

When we started Augur, we thought that it would provide an important platform to amplify marginalized voices in speculative fiction. The positive response that we’ve received thus far has been so humbling, and it’s clear that other people are just as hungry for the kinds of stories that Augur is publishing as we are. The highlights of my work with Augur have been getting to read submissions and getting to work with authors on their stories. I’m continually blown away by the quality of the stories, poems, and comics that we receive, and I’m so grateful that people trust us with their work.

AMY

Graphic Fiction Editor

Working on the editorial staff at Augur Magazine this past year has given me a reason to spend time with some of my favourite people. Reading amazing work from our creators, debating over submissions at pitch meetings, eating snacks and sweating over deadlines have been the highlights of my year. As a perpetually exhausted person with an inability to let myself have fun without feeling productive, Augur has created space in my life for enjoying comics, illustrating beautiful stories and being a part of a creative process. It’s been extremely rewarding to meet our amazing creators and publish their work, and I’m really grateful that people have trusted us with their lovely art babies—I hope that we continue to grow Augur and the community over the next year and into the future.

ANNA

Managing Blog Editor

Overwhelmingly, one of the best parts of joining Augur has been working with writers, creators and editors whose passion for what they do radiates. From the debates that spring up at pitch meetings over what we actually get to publish to the awesome people who support us by submitting, reading, engaging with us online and showing up to our events—that kind of enthusiasm is priceless. With the launch of our blog, I’m looking forward to highlighting more talented creators from the community and working closely with our wonderful contributors.

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