Header Image: Tolu Bamwo c/o nappy.co
Watermelanin is an independent literary magazine, not affiliated with a university or writing program. The magazine sprung from a number of late night conversations between friends and the unsettling reality of a monochromatic literary world.
Watermelanin is produced by artists of color for artists of color and the readers who support them.
Watermelanin is a community--a home where artists can experiment, stumble, succeed, and teach. We don't need you to be perfect (but, by all means, send us your best stuff) because we're here to help you grow.
Our editors have a vested interest in seeing you succeed and helping you get there.
Watermelanin consists of an online journal and an annual digital magazine.
Our online journal publishes work year round. Everything from fiction and poetry to essays and reviews show up in our online journal; it is the land of experimentation and rapid growth.
The annual digital magazine is where your refined work appears. The voice you've been honing in the online journal, concentrated into literary and artistic genius. The submission window is tighter and so is your work.
Watermelanin is produced by artists of color for artists of color and the readers who support them.
Watermelanin is a community--a home where artists can experiment, stumble, succeed, and teach. We don't need you to be perfect (but, by all means, send us your best stuff) because we're here to help you grow.
Our editors have a vested interest in seeing you succeed and helping you get there.
Watermelanin consists of an online journal and an annual digital magazine.
Our online journal publishes work year round. Everything from fiction and poetry to essays and reviews show up in our online journal; it is the land of experimentation and rapid growth.
The annual digital magazine is where your refined work appears. The voice you've been honing in the online journal, concentrated into literary and artistic genius. The submission window is tighter and so is your work.
Note: We don't believe in paywalls.
Literature should be accessible to everyone.
Literature should be accessible to everyone.
The Team
Watermelanin is staffed by volunteers (yeah, you read that right), whom we love and appreciate greatly.
Our staff runs on coffee and the desire to create a more equitable literary landscape.
Follow them on social media to make their days better.
Our staff runs on coffee and the desire to create a more equitable literary landscape.
Follow them on social media to make their days better.
Founder/Editor-in-Chief:
Lashelle Johnson (she/her; they/them) Art Director: Isaiah Anthony (he/him) Fiction Editor: Christopher Soriano Editorial Assistant: Poetry Editor: Daphnee McMaster (she/her) Culture Editor: TBA Editorial Assistant: Lilly Nguyen Digital Magazine Managing Editor: CF Molina (he/him; they/them) Digital Media Manager: Fatima Zehra Naveed Contributors: Zara Ahmed, Cimoan Atkins, Michaé Baisden, Dierdre Berry, Paolo Bicchieri, Jessica Blakley, Maame Blue, Christian Candelaria, Karen Candelario, Morgan Forde, Atari Gems, Stephanie Guy, Sahrish Hadia, Jason Harris, Delilah Ho, Sam Jones, Lorna Likiza, Prin Mayowa, Elle Mckenzie, Joy Melody, Jo Morgan, Jennifer Navarro, Fatima Naveed, Tanya Nielsen, Rae, Shauneez Rigney, Iván Sandoval, a.m. sevin, Victor Sledge, Claire Soh, SONGO, Omar Sow, Amiah Taylor, Felicia Tucker, and Venique. |