What would you put out into the world if no one knew it were you? The most recent issue of In/Words, Carleton’s in-house small press literary magazine, had people asking themselves this question.
The anonymous issue takes submissions of poetry that were submitted to the In/Words website betwen October and November. Submissions do not have to be from Carleton students, or even the greater Ottawa community.
The front cover shows a graphic of all the submissions inextricably layered together. Doug Dumais, co-editor of In/Words, said the experimentation with the poems submitted was notable in this issue.
“I was expecting to see more of topics you wouldn’t see spoken so openly, but it was great to see that people experimented not just with content but with form,” Dumais said.
The content consists of everything from descriptions of the tea aisle in Walmart, to honest outpourings on slinky Tinder dates. Illustrations by Toronto-based artist Tara Tse are spattered throughout the poems. The drawings depict self-reflexive characters that work in harmony with the poetry.
One contributor said the anonymity of the issue is what drew them to participate and submit their own works.
“Most of the time, the things that I write are motivated by things that are happening in my life, so this was about a person,” they said. “I think I wouldn’t have submitted it [otherwise], because I wouldn’t have wanted them to know that I had written it.”
The issue was released with an intimate launch party that had a select amount of pieces being performed anonymously. Through Facebook video calling, performers hid their identities onscreen in creative ways—one hid themselves offscreen while the camera was set on their sleeping terrier. The poems were jumbled up so many weren’t reciting their own poems.
Nina Jane Drystek, an attendee and self-described local poetry enthusiast, said poetry goes far beyond the reader’s experience.
“That’s a reason why I attend a lot of events, because I think poetry should be heard . . . Images are almost stronger when you hear them read aloud,” Drystek said.
According to co-editor Justin Lam, In/Words has regular events and opportunities for writers from all skill levels. Lam said the publication aims to make writing inclusive and accessible.
“I think that’s a weird cliché about poetry, where people think it’s artsy and uppity—it’s not,” he said.
Although the magazine is the brainchild of the Carleton English department, founded by professor Collett Tracey, it has taken a life of its own that extends beyond the limits of campus, according to Dumais. In/Words is shifting its presence online to extend the reach of its content not only past campus borders, but city borders and beyond, he said.
The call for submissions for the next issue is open now, and will be closing in January. The upcoming issue is dating-themed, inspired by the new material coming out of online dating experiences in particular.
The anonymous issue is currently available for free or by donation. Copies can be requested by contacting the In/Words Facebook page or website.
All received submissions for the anonymous issue were published in one way or another, with the pieces not making it to print being published on an anonymous Tumblr page.
“I really wanted this to be an opportunity for anyone to just try it. Just try and write something, you’ll get published.” Dumais said.
