Permit us a brief note on the fleeting nature of manifestos. It seems to us that any definitive, binding statement of purpose would do little more than cement us in time (specifically, the year 2012) and leave our words dated in the years to follow. We feel that the foundation of a magazine should be open to change, to aesthetic and philosophical adaptation. We embrace perspective, so long as it does not become rigid and constricting. So as you read on, bear this in mind: everything is subject to change.
There are a lot of things Nat. Brut isn’t. We have our feet in a lot of doors, and altogether have at least six feet. We are neither a print magazine nor a standard online publication. We are not exclusively a literary journal, but publish more creative writing and art than traditional magazines. We do not favor or give preference to established contributors over emerging authors and artists. We do not judge based on institutional principles or rigid conventions.
So that’s what we aren’t. Here’s what we are. We are a quarterly of new writing, art, and culture. We have no advertisers and no one to answer to. As editors, we both curate and contribute. We believe that collaborative publications have the power to define and challenge the cultural climate. We believe that magazines are key in the advancement of art, thought, and language. We believe in stories and poems and pictures and music.
With that, we proudly present Issue 1. Featuring magnificent new fiction, poetry, essays, two short films, visual artist spotlights, and the first of our quarterly mixtape series, our inaugural issue is bursting with energy. There’s something for everyone: singing monks, erratic bowlers, birthday road trips in the second person. Our contributors are all exceptionally talented; we hope you seek out more of their work.
Sincerely,
The Editors
Issue 1 is dedicated to the memory of Gabby Reuveni
EDITORS: Anna Ploegh, Andrew Ridker, Michael Segel DEPUTY EDITOR: Hayden Bennett CONTRIBUTORS: James Tadd Adcox, Katya Apekina, Hayden Bennett, Emily Berger, Bill Brown, Ryan Courtwright, Brian Doyle, Sean Dunne, Kayla E., John Ganiard, Anthony Giannini, Ray Holmes, Bryan Hurt, Léopold Lambert, Pablo Garcia Lopez, Anne Mahon, Kristin Ohlson, Michael du Plessis, D.A. Powell, Andrew Ridker, Alex Rochinski.