Editorial

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Welcome, everyone, to the inaugural issue of Oscail. I started this project in July and have been so moved by the immediate and growing support for an Irish literary magazine that highlights queer and neurodivergent writers.

 

Initially, I was under the impression that there were plenty of magazines or journals like Oscail, and this would just be another. I quickly discovered that there were very few magazines similar to Oscail. While there are countless small journals and mags in Ireland, surprisingly few focus on publishing work from queer and neurodivergent writers. Writers may see a line at the bottom of most submission pages encouraging of minority writers to submit, but it feels more like a throwaway for the sake of appearances than a genuine desire to read or publish our work.

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Let’s be honest: it’s mostly writers who read literary magazines. Often, those writers are reading those magazines in hope of one day having their work published in them. When certain voices are excluded, it tells writers who do not fit a certain, elitist view of what a “writer” is that this work, this art, is not for them. We have all heard certain detractors say that quality writing should be at the forefront of Irish publishing regardless of identity. To this, I say that to believe the current publishing landscape is representative of the whole of the talented writers in Ireland is to accept that writers of certain privileged identities are somehow inherently better at writing. I do not accept that. I want every writer like me to know that their writing deserves to be published—not because of their identity, but because it is good. No piece of writing should ever be rejected because of the writer’s identity or previous publication record. Neither of these things is an indication of quality writing.

 

This issue was edited by me and Em Egan Reeve, who is definitely more qualified than me to be doing all of this. We are both disabled ourselves and understand the intersectional experience of being queer, disabled, and a writer. It is a joy when opportunities like this emerge; this work reminds me that we are in this together, despite how isolating these identities can be in our society. And while it felt very uncomfortable having to write rejection emails, typing all too familiar trigger words like ‘Unfortunately’ and ‘We regret to inform you’. I am proud of all the writers who submitted to Oscail, and I hope we receive even more superb submissions in the next issue. The writing in Issue 1 demonstrates a superb talent for creative expression. Every piece examines a certain aspect of the neuroqueer experience and fully realises feelings that are deeply personal and difficult to share. It is writing that shows the beauty of intersection within identities and how it can lead to exceptional work.

 

Finally, while Oscail is a small magazine, I believe that being paid for your work is an important milestone for an artist. The financial support we have received through our fundraising campaign on iDonate.ie, allows me to do this with the magazine, and I am immensely grateful. I hope that Oscail can grow into a home for marginalised writers in Ireland, but I can’t do that without continued support. If you enjoy this issue, I hope you will consider contributing at (https://www.idonate.ie/crowdfunder/supportoscail)

 

I hope that Oscail can be one small step towards marginalised writers having an equal playing field in our industry. We cannot do this alone. The culture and the industry will only change with progressive action from our community, especially the writers on the margins. Don’t wait for someone to tell you that your voice is valid. Get your writing out there and tell them yourself.

 

Le meas,

Emmet