Gabbie's bookish thoughts

Paper Lanterns is a new literary journal, founded in 2020 by Grace Kelley, Ruth Ennis and Amy O’Sullivan, to be published four times a year. Acting as a platform to promote the voices of young people in Ireland and across the world, this journal provides new and exciting content for a teen and young adult audience. It is also perfect for enthusiasts of teen and YA literature; from teachers and librarians, to parents and youth workers. This is a YA journal for writers, artists, dreamers, and doers. This is a space for the underrepresented voices and a platform for publishing and promoting young writers and artists so they are seen and heard. We also make space for those who were once young adults to submit their work! Those who proudly and loudly represent young voices in today’s world. (Paper Lanterns) by Rebecca Johnson and cover design by Eleanor Braydon   Yet another stellar issue from Paper Lanterns ! If you were to check my previews reviews , it'd be easily apparent that I am...

(artwork "la gente es colorida" by Allie Rafferty, designed by Fiachra Johnston)) I have been excitedly watching from the sidelines as the wonderful team of Paper Lanterns  turned this very exciting idea into a reality and put together a literary journal dedicated to teen & YA lit and the people celebrating it. From original creative writing pieces to interviews and reviews, Paper Lanterns  promised many things.  I'm delighted to tell you that I was lucky enough to get an early look at their first issue and it achieved all the things it aimed to; reading through it, I couldn't help but be reminded why I love the community built around this type of literature so much, the kind of talent and passion of those part of it. It also reminded me just how smart, talented and interesting the teens that these stories are for are themselves and the kind of fantastic work they can put into the world when given the chance (with the addition of equally fantastic words comi...