The Youth Voice Magazine Marks One Year of Publication!

This fabulous human and the magazine she publishes!

 

The Youth Voice Magazine is the third publication my daughter Rhiannon has put out in her young life, and after a year, it seems to be going quite well. Every season she gathers votes on a particular theme, and then she and the other teen editor, Vera, accept submissions by nine to fourteen-year-olds from all over the world. Anyone eighteen or younger is also invited to contribute to the community page. Then Rhiannon lays out and publishes each issue in digital format, and on paper. Subscribers to the paper magazine get a shiny mag delivered by mail.

To me, the beautiful thing about this magazine is how adamantly the editors insist on submissions being wholly the work of the kids who submit them. They request that no parents submit work for their kids (although exceptions can be made), and no child is coerced to submit to the magazine; each submission comes directly from a kid who was moved to contribute to the theme. It might be art, poetry, puzzles, fiction or journalism, but it's wholly from the mind and pen (or keyboard) of a young person. I was moved to tears by a couple of stories about racism and love, and, well... I keep looking forward to Mollie's hilarious stories about Addie, which seem to be becoming a fixture of this publication! 

"...now bend and touch your toes," said the yoga teacher.

"PWWWTTTT," was the noise that came from Addie's mum's bum.

"Oh MUM, you are sooooooo embarrassing," said Timmy trying not to be heard. Mum carried on stretching as if nothing had happened.

~Mollie Wilcox, September 2021, the Youth Voice Magazine

Every time Rhiannon brings home a copy for us to read, I'm amazed and thrilled that this thing is envisioned and created entirely by youth. It really does represent "the youth voice". 

Now it is time to rebuild,
even though some hope is unfulfilled.
If we support each other along the way,
We will have a future with sunny days.
But after all we must carry on,
even though loved ones are gone.

 ~Daniyal Hamid, March 2021, the Youth Voice Magazine

Over the first year, themes have ranged from pandemic to pets, and I'm particularly excited about the upcoming issue: weather and climate change! The contributors have blown my mind with their astute observations on humanity and culture, and I imagine this issue will be no different. Our kids see the world without the coloured lenses we adults have plastered to our eyes. I learn something and feel emboldened by hearing the voices of these kids.

If you know someone who might like to contribute, do send them this information. Then step back and see what our kids will make of the world!

https://rhiannonraven.wixsite.com/youthvoicemagazine
Instagram: @youth_voice_mag