EDITORS’ LETTER
Kia ora!
Tate and Maddie here. We’re delighted to welcome you to the twenty-first issue of Starling.
We were excited (and a little daunted) to be approached by Louise Wallace and Francis Cooke to take over the editorship of Starling after last year’s landmark twentieth issue. For ten years, they have indefatigably championed the work of Aotearoa writers under 25. From launch parties (in person and online!) to residencies, community building to festival programming, and of course the editorship of the journal itself, we are so lucky to have had two such passionate and generous people at the helm for so long – thank you, thank you, thank you.
Both of us wrote for Starling in our time; as contributors, we felt cared for, heard, and taken seriously. Perhaps the most important thing you can give young writers just starting out is encouragement and inspiration – Louise and Francis provided it in spades to 213+ Starling writers during their tenure. We hope to carry this kaupapa forward into a new era, alongside our two brilliant editorial committee members, Ruby Macomber and Joy Holley.
To mark the change of era, we commissioned graphic designer Gia Espelita to design a new logo for Starling. We hope you love what she’s come up with as much as we do! With its ultrasonic blue shade and disintegrating edges intended to evoke a murmuration of starlings, our new logo speaks to the youthfulness, modernity, and vibrancy of the writing featured in the journal.
To the writing itself – Issue 21 features a dazzling array of new prose and poetry by young writers from across Aotearoa, alongside an interview with poet/essayist Kate Camp, an extract from poet Amber Esau’s upcoming collection, Hungus (out next week!), and gorgeous cover art from Tāmaki-based painter Levi Kereama. The Issue 21 lineup offers a tapestry of hot gems and wisdom teeth; giving hands and skies in brilliant red; ampersands and anxious habits; of winter’s dying days. It brings us the twist of the future, and fragrances and buckling knees. We’re treated to a tarot reading, to a million little apologies. Anthony Bourdain makes an appearance, as does The Muppet Show. There are diffuse nods to Lady Macbeth and her husband; a fractal of Juliet and hers. Palm-sized marvels abound. There are tears; there’s love and laughter.
Issue 21 has been a joy to put together. We’re thrilled to share it with you.