NOT AN iSSUE is a space made for creative exploration. Started by a team of young, passionate creators, we're a place where writers, artists, and readers can connect and feel welcome. Our goal is to make publishing accessible and to offer a platform for anyone who wants to share their story.Here, every story matters—whether it’s about love, resilience, or anything else you want to express. NOT AN iSSUE is all about building a creative community where young voices and underrepresented perspectives have a place to shine. We want to be a welcoming destination for creators who care about sharing and growing together.

iSSUE VI : in bloom is out now!

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• submit to issue vii: mirage!

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In general, NAi has pretty loose rules regarding submissions, but we do ask that you read the ones listed below to avoid any extra hassle; thank you!We aim to offer publication to as many young artists as possible as long as the piece fits within the story of each issue, so please feel free to submit! Every artist will receive personalized feedback on the work they submit, regardless of acceptance status.

Theme

Our seventh issue's theme is "Mirage," which is about the beautiful almosts—the things that shimmer just out of reach. Submissions are closed. Stay tuned for our upcoming issue and when the next issue is accepting submissions!

Eligibility

All youth ages 14-22 are welcome to submit their work. NAi reserves the right to be selective. We aim to publish creative works with meaningful intent!

Types of Work Accepted

• Submit
• Full guidelines

Editing

Graphic Design

Social Media

External Team

What To Do Before Submitting A Piece For Publication
Part 1: The Editing

When you finish writing a piece, it can feel very tempting to go ahead and click the submission button or hit send on an email to get your work over to a publication. However, once you finish writing a piece, you still have some work to do!We have a few tips for you to increase your chances of getting accepted by a publication, in a two-part article series. The first part, which is this article, will specifically focus on editing the piece. The second one will focus on what to do while submitting your piece. Without further ado, here are a few tips for editing your piece before submitting it for publication!1. Read The Publication’s Guidelines And Follow ThemThank you for submitting to our issue. Unfortunately, due to this piece being 34 words over our guideline-specified word count, we will not be able to consider your piece.This is a situation you’d want to avoid, right?We cannot stress how important this is. Some publications have several rules when it comes to what pieces they accept, such as word limits, font size and spacing, and what type of content they can publish. Please make sure that you’re respecting the publication’s time and adhering to the guidelines that the publication has set.While many publications will likely reject your work if you don’t follow the guidelines, submitting a piece that doesn’t follow their guidelines still wastes their time - and as you’re eagerly waiting for a decision, wastes your time and hopes as well. Make sure to carefully look over each guideline and that your piece follows it.Most publications will have the guidelines somewhere on their website, social media page, or submission form. If you have trouble locating the guidelines, email the publication. If you’re planning on submitting your work to a publication, following their guideline should be one of your top priorities when creating the piece.Sometimes pieces do rely on creative elements such as spacing and formatting to enhance the meaning of the piece. If there is an aspect of your work, such as font style or word positioning, that contributes to your meaning but doesn’t seem to follow the publication’s guidelines, email them before submitting. Make sure to include a copy of your piece, the guideline that the work doesn’t follow, as well as an explanation of why keeping your work as it contributes to its overall message. They may accommodate your request.2. Read (And Reread) Your WorkHi there? Thi is the start of my storyy!!!That sentence definitely needs to be looked over.Read over what you wrote and correct any grammatical mistakes that you may have. We recommend reading your piece aloud at least once to make sure that the piece makes sense. Don’t just do a quick glance at the poem - read each and every word, and if you need to reread a certain section of the piece,do that!While you’re reading your piece and fixing grammatical errors, make sure to also look for areas where your piece could be improved. Maybe you could use a word that makes more sense in one place, or you could add a little bit more in a paragraph to paint a better picture of the setting in the reader’s mind.That being said, don’t stress over your piece too much and feel the need to read it millions of times to perfect every single little tiny detail. Each work is different, but a strategy that typically works well is to read over your piece after finishing it, read it after any major change has been made, read it one last time once everything has been changed, and look over it right before submitting the piece.We’re all human, so there may be some grammatical errors you don’t catch or a certain section you don’t spend as much time on; that’s okay. Still, make sure to look over your piece - if a publication receives a submission that’s riddled with grammatical errors or one that hasn’t been developed, they may think there wasn’t much effort put into the piece. Neither of these scenarios help with your chances of being accepted and selected for publication.3. Ask For Suggestions From Friends And FamilyHey there! I’ve written a poem recently, and I’d like for you to look over it and give me some suggestions. Thank you!Send over your work to trusted family members and friends for suggestions. Don’t have them completely rewrite the piece for you. Just ask them to give your piece a read and let you know if they have any feedback.Having other people look at your work can help provide a fresh perspective, and they may catch mistakes that you didn’t. Ultimately, it is your piece, so you don’t have to accept every suggestion that you receive. But who knows - someone may find a grammatical error or an aspect that could be more fleshed out, and your piece could end up benefiting from the changes.Here are a few other smaller tips that we have for you when it comes to editing:- Have someone else read your piece out loud to you- If you can, ask the publication for feedback and suggestions- Look over your piece over the course of a few days and not in one sitting- Do multiple rounds of editing and feedback requestingWhile following these tips doesn’t guarantee that your piece will be accepted for publication, they can help you have a more polished and refined submission overall! You can go beyond these tips as well to refine your work, such as recruiting beta readers if it’s a longer piece. Remember, every piece is different, so every process for refinement is different.We wish you the best of luck on getting published, and make sure to check out part two for tips on the submission process.

Interview with Viyomiarts

How to network with other artists / networking and build connections that will last?First, I like to go into it with the mindset that I'm not just networking for the sake of business, but because I want to make genuine connections/friends with people whose work I admire. That being said, this mindset is what helps me create lasting connections, because it doesn’t stop at just work. It might be intimidating, but sometimes just plain asking for advice on things and messaging artists who inspire you is so important and helpful! You'll realize there are a lot of people who are going through the same things. It’s really cool when they’re already an industry veteran who can give you sage advice, or someone you can bond with because they’re in the same boat as you! Join discord servers, DM artists on social media, join projects, socialize with artists under artwork posts, seek advice on stories, ask questions, even email. I would recommend Asians in Animation and The Lightbox Expo discord servers for people looking to connect with professionals.How is your experience with live streams? What do you do during them?I stream on Instagram Live just to sketch! Livestreaming on Instagram is really fun just because the majority of the people on my streams that stick around are my buddies and I can just chat and chill like I'm drawing with everyone in real life. It’s also very easy to set up. I don’t even need a professional camera. Sometimes I’ll finish existing pieces and sometimes I’ll do doodle and fanart requests.Are you looking to do collabs with other artists?I’m a little busy doing things for my part in a comic zine and school, so maybe not at this moment, but maybe in the future as time frees up!What are some things you do to keep improving your skills, what has been the most helpful?For me I like to practice a lot. Sketch every day even if it’s just doodling on the side of assignments. I think I improved the most when I was very consistent and intentional with my practice. Realizing what I struggled with and honing in on those things, as well as making sure to take breaks by drawing things I enjoyed, seriously helped me get better. Some people think that the best way to improve is just go-go-go with constant studies, but it’s also important to have fun and enjoy art, keep it balanced so you don’t burn out. What really helps me improve is by trying new things periodically. It means I don’t get stuck doing the same stuff all the time!How do you come up with ideas for your comics? (Extra Ordinary, etc…) design? Format/layout? Poses?For Extra Ordinary (comic plug!) in particular I take a bunch of stuff from my own life and random thoughts. Little things like taking the bus, eating good food, or appreciating the people around me. I think the more I look into cool things that happen in my everyday life the more ideas I have for my comics in terms of storylines and designs because they’re true to my life. They already exist. Also, I’m not a totally professional comic artist because character design’s my real niche, so I sometimes make things up on the spot when I’m making a new page. Or I’ll start with characters and make them interact, and that’s already a panel. I also browse social media and Pinterest a lot. A bunch of my mutuals make comics so sometimes I see their work and I’m like wow, that’s really cool. And maybe I’ll apply that technique they used in another way. Lastly, a lot of my ideas come from existing graphic novels. Plug: Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova is amazing and I’m so inspired by her work there.What got you into drawing in the first place?In elementary school I really honed into it with my best friend for our class newspaper at the time. We also watched so many art YouTubers (Mark Crilley, etc.) and really loved the anime drawing style, and we always inspired each other to keep drawing and making cool things.Advice for beginning artists who don’t know where to start?My advice would be to look for things you like. When you look at artwork, what catches your eye the most? What styles do you enjoy looking at the most? What stylistic choices are your favorite? What artists do you admire? You could even pull this from shows or books because a lot of beginner artists start by making fanart from somewhere. Once you know those things you can start drawing things that inspire you just to pique your interest, and study fundamentals (lighting, shadows, color theory, anatomy, perspective…) through those things. Maybe you really like a certain anime so you draw fanart that helps you practice anatomy through character posing and making portraits. The key is being inspired and enjoying it so you can improve organically. You can even do studies of other artists at first just to study their techniques. Also, please use references! Your visual library as a beginner will grow when you look at a whole bunch of things, and from there, you’ll start to get an idea of what type of work you want to make and how to work towards it.How do you make time for art?I section off at least 10 minutes daily to sketch anything. It’s an approachable time, doesn’t take up an absurd amount out of your day and you can go for more if you’d like. And even if not in that allotted 10 minutes I draw at school (on my schoolwork) so no matter how “busy” I get I can always section off time to relax after a busy day out.
Check out more of Viyomiarts' work!

Book Review: Summer in Greenland — A Lyrical Ode to Youth, First Love, and Fleeting Time

Book by: Chainka
Book Review by: LunetteSummer in Greenland has an unquestionably nostalgic and captivating quality to it, capturing the essence of growing up rather than simply chronicling a boy's summer vacation. At first sight, it appears to be a calm story about a young teen's seasonal trip, but by the end, you'll feel as if you've relived your own childhood through the warm cloud of dandelion dust and youthful idealism.Summer in Greenland is written in a poetic, stream-of-consciousness manner and follows Dean O'Brian, a thirteen-year-old kid who spends the summer in the lush countryside town of Greenland. What follows is a calm yet profound study of adolescence, identity, friendship, and first love — themes as timeless as summer itself.1. Tender Opening: Arrival in GreenlandThe novel starts with a memorable and sensory-rich introduction. Dean and his mother travel in a gray truck to the rural village of Greenland. From the beginning, the poetic text establishes the tone:^{“Thirteen-year-old Dean pressed his nose against the window, soaking in the vast meadows and fields scattered like toys in a child’s room.”}Greenland is more than a destination; it represents freedom, adventure, and self-discovery. Dean believes it is the one place where life may be enjoyed rather than endured, free of the difficulties of maturity. The poetic comparison of trees to soldiers, and the town's environment to "gingerbread cottages," immediately ground the story in a youthful worldview that is both whimsical and wise.Even before the plot begins, the reader is engrossed in the book's style, which is defined by rich imagery and emotional depth. The narrative voice, which occasionally blends omniscient observation with Dean's own ideas, wonderfully conveys the transition from childhood to adolescent. As Dean begins to settle into the new rural life, it’s his friendships that start to shape the contours of his summer — vivid, chaotic, and full of endearment.2. Boys, Bikes, and Kingdoms: Friendship ArcEverything changes with the arrival of Lo (short for Lolita), a thirteen-year-old girl who has just returned from boarding school in England. She is immediately cast as ethereal: tall, blonde, clever, and self-possessed.
Dean is drawn to her from the moment he sees her. Their interactions are filled with intensity, curiosity, and the clumsiness of a first crush. The author does not dismiss their relationship as mere puppy love. Instead, she paints it as something monumental—world-changing in its own right.^{“Lo still lay on her towel, light, clear, scattered like sand beneath her, and completely intact, like the bed of the Greenland river; she was warm as summer, but rude as the wind in August when suddenly it went in and declared that soon it would be fall. Lo…”}As Dean's fascination with Lo grows, the text becomes more poetic and philosophical. Dean's shared excursions — swimming in the river, riding bikes through abandoned gardens, or resting in the woods — show him wrestling with issues of love, permanence, and mortality.^{“Lolita released his hand, and right then, in that second, it dawned on Dean: she was the one who stole from him! And she took the most valuable thing — his heart.”}That single line, given following a spectacular underwater passage, captures the quiet power of teenage love. It is transforming, complex, and strongly felt, despite lacking the vocabulary and sophistication of mature relationships. As his bond with Lo deepens, so too does Dean's growing awareness that nothing — not even the longest summer — lasts forever.4. Coming of Age and the Impact of TimeSummer in Greenland stands out for its uncompromising depiction of time's brutality. The story often reminds us—and Dean—that nothing lasts forever. Dean's journey becomes one of resisting — and eventually accepting — change, whether it's the gradual fracturing in his friend group or the creeping realization that summer is coming to an end.A critical moment occurs in the barn, when his grandfather informs him:^{“Raise your hand,” he ordered. Dylan obediently raised his hand to the light and, with a hint of surprise—as if seeing his own palm for the first time—examined it. “See? Look closely. Seconds are scattered in the air, and they disappear, disappear..."}This beautiful depiction of time passing delivers an existential jolt. Dean recognizes that he, too, will age, that Greenland will eventually be without him, and that the people he cares about, including Lo, will change.The conflict between the permanence of place (Greenland, the river, the trees) and the impermanence of humanity becomes the dominant theme. The more Dean attempts to anchor himself in some moments, the more slippery they become. And as time keeps running, emotions get to his head — leading Dean to a moment of reckoning that will test the strength of his friendships and his courage.Final Thoughts: A Beautifully Flawed Story of YouthSummer in Greenland is unquestionably ambitious. It tries to convey the bright, disappearing spirit of childhood with literary flair. The text is reminiscent and, at times, painfully beautiful, conjuring a nearly magical nostalgia. Its strength, however, is also its greatest weakness.The language, while beautiful, can become overblown. Extended metaphors and lyrical tangents often obscure rather than clarify the emotional stakes. Some sequences, notably Dean's philosophical thoughts, are difficult for a thirteen-year-old reader to believe, blurring the line between true voice and authorial indulgence.
Furthermore, while the friendship interactions and romance are well-drawn, the pacing slows in the middle. Certain plot lines, such as May's involvement in the group or the growing conflict between Edd and Nick, feel undercooked. The novel relies more on mood than structure, and readers who like plot-driven stories may find themselves lost.Nonetheless, the emotional connection is clear. Dean's coming-of-age story — his struggle with change, love, and the dread of impermanence — lingers long after the last page. Summer in Greenland will delight readers who value mood, tone, and poetic insight over strong plotting or realism.Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Pros:
Lush, engaging prose.
Thoughtful themes include time, youth, and remembrance.
A realistic representation of first love and male friendship.
Cons:
Occasionally overwritten.
Philosophical voices may not reflect the character's age.
Underdeveloped subplots and uneven tempo.
Recommended for:
Readers aged 13 and up who enjoy character-driven storylines, such as The Catcher in the Rye, Bridge to Terabithia, and atmospheric indie films like Moonrise Kingdom.

Interview with Brianna

What inspired you to create “Spring is Coming?” Was there a specific moment or memory behind the concept?When I found out the prompt was like bloom, I wrote out a list of what bloom meant to me and what I wanted to incorporate into that piece. Then after I wrote out a list I made little thumbnails. I made a bunch of thumbnails and then I picked my favorite one that I wanted to show the most; I wanted to incorporate a bunny. I wanted to incorporate flowers and so I thought a fun way to do that was to have the bunnies be underground.Your use of below-ground imagery with the bunnies is so unique—what made you go in that direction?Definitely both. I wanted to kind of show a different perspective because I remember when I was in 4th or 5th grade, we learned about what a bulb was and how it could grow. And I thought that was interesting as a kid, so I kind of wanted to show how things can grow from that little ball - even if it's upside down, they still go up to rise to the surface.Was there a specific reason why you chose the different flowers and bulbs?
With the flowers, I googled what's like the most common spring flowers, and I used those.One of our other favorite parts, other than the underground imagery, was the textured like warm kind of feel of your art. In your artist statement you mentioned you wanted it to feel warm and fuzzy. Did you use any specific techniques to create that look?Well, I did it on my iPad and used certain brushes. I don't know what they're called, but I used the brushes that I thought would add a fuzzy texture,and the color palette definitely played into that aspect with, like, the calmer warm tones.There’s a sense of tenderness between the rabbits. What emotion were you hoping to share through them?I was trying to evoke a feeling of nurturing, because you can see that with the Mama Bunny and the baby Bunny. And then I also kind of wanted to show growth with the flowers, and definitely the warmth that comes with spring and comfort.Did that intention change as you were creating the piece or when you made your thumbnails? Did you know what kind of energy you wanted to bring to the piece, or did that kind of develop as you drew?I definitely knew I wanted to go in with a positive outlook; I didn’t want to focus on the negatives of spring, like, oh, it rains too much. I wanted to focus on the positives. And as I was drawing, I guess little things popped up that kind of elaborated that.What part of the piece do you like most resonate with? What was the easiest part to draw and what was the most difficult?The easiest part was probably the bunnies. I love bunnies. They're my favorite animal, so I draw them on everything. The hardest part was probably the flowers. And like how I wanted to space them out. I wanted them to all have their own spotlight and not make them too crowded.In general, how do you typically begin a new project? Do you research your subjects, and do you usually make thumbnails for whenever you're starting a new project?I always start with thumbnails. I took AP Art in high school and my art teacher kind of inspired that because the people that judge your portfolio really like seeing those, and that really stuck with me because sometimes I have too many ideas and I don't know which one to expand. So when I draw out the thumbnails, it organizes my thoughts on what elements I want to keep, what elements I want to take away, and what I want to add.I always think of an idea, and then I usually go to Pinterest and I look up reference photos and other people to see if they've done something similar to inspire me. After I gather all my reference photos, I usually draw the thumbnails Then I pick my favorite one, and then I start working on the piece. Lately, I've been doing digital pieces, but I used to do a lot of traditional pieces. So with traditional, I also had to lay out the different layers and what I wanted to start off with and layer on top of that.Is there anything that you might change in the piece if you were to revisit it?I definitely think it is very simple. I feel like I could add something, like maybe some clouds or maybe like another bunny, but, I mean, I do like how it looks, so I would keep it.How do you typically know if a piece is truly finished?I know it's finished when I feel like if I add something else, it'll take away from what I want the focus to be on, because when I was younger, I would add way too much detail to my drawings and then it would just look too busy.When you were younger and drawing more realistically, was it harder to feel like a piece was truly complete? Did you keep adding details, or were you able to let it go at a point?That's how I feel when it comes to acrylic paint. I feel like your painting can look so flat, so you just have to keep adding on to it until it's just muddy. So I definitely have that issue when I'm painting. But when I was younger, I drew a lot of dress designs; I wanted to be a fashionista, so I would draw outfits. They would be so elaborate and detailed and not realistic at all, but that was my goal. I wanted to be, like, out of this world.Has art always been your passion? When you were like fashion designing, was that because you like to draw the designs or was that because you like to create the designs?Art's always been a part of my world. My aunt is an artist. My older sister is an artist. So I have artists in my family and my family and always have liked art as a kid. When I was drawing those dresses as a kid, I definitely liked the part where I could draw the girl and style her hair, but I also liked that I could make her wear whatever I want.Do you often work with themes of growth and seasons, or does it depend on the moment?When I was in high school, I took AP Art, and for that you would have to find a theme for your portfolio. My first theme was fantasy because I was really into the fantasy folk art aspect. I also wanted to be an illustrator, so I thought that would be connected to my career path. Then my senior year, I took AP Art again, and I wanted to focus on family and nostalgia because, I was growing up, I was finishing high school, and I was thinking a lot about when I was a kid. I wanted to connect that to my senior year, because when you're senior, you feel very nostalgic because everything feels like it's ending.But now, I’m not really taking any art classes, so I kind of just draw what inspires me, like my pets and things I find in my backyard. Just what I see in my everyday life.You said you wanted to be an illustrator. Do you still want to be an illustrator, or what's your goal with art?I actually want to be an art teacher. I teach art to elementary students once a week, and I really enjoy it, so I want to start teaching high school art. My AP Art teacher was amazing. I loved her and I think about her all the time, and she definitely actually didn’t encourage me to be an art teacher, because it’s a hard career. She said, “you don't want to do it,” but I was like “I do want to do it,” and now I'm teaching these elementary kids and I have so much fun planning the little little projects for them and trying to incorporate, like lessons of shapes and contrasts. I really enjoy it.Are you working on any other projects, big or small, with art?Right now I'm just doing some stuff for fun. I'm going to paint a picture of my boyfriend’s dog for his birthday because she's really cute, and I think that would be fun. I'm also working on another piece I've been working on for a while just because I've kind of been procrastinating, but it's going to be a picture of my living room from when I was like a kid. And then on the couch are going to be all the pets that I had in my lifetime; so it's going to be my dog and all of my cats, and they're all gonna be like cuddling together on this big couch.Do you have anything else you want people to know about you as an artist?
I don't just do art. I also sell and I have a little Etsy shop selling customized clothes - a little fun fact about me.Anything else like in general about you about art or anything?I think art is a great way to express yourself and everyone should take one art class in their lifetime.Do you have any advice for artists just starting off, or anyone currently experiencing a lack of ideas or motivation?Practice really, really helps. I remember one summer, I bought this giant new sketchbook and every day I would take like 30 minutes to draw, and it definitely did help me improve. I know it sounds so annoying to sit down and be like practicing every day, but it does help and it really does help you find your style and what you like to draw.
Brianna's piece Spring is Coming was a notable artwork from iSSUE VI.

WIFTY (Rang Rang)

By: Isabelle

“Before I met you, I only lived to keep the name, Zhang Lurang alive, but after meeting you, I was excited for tomorrow to come” -Zhang Lurang. When I Fly Towards You (WIFTY), released in 2023, took the storm of the C-drama industry. The show, starring Zhang Miaoli as Su Zaizai and Zhou Yiran as Zhang Lurang (Rangrang), received overwhelming love from c-drama fans, wave to earth fans, and romance antiques alike. The show follows Su Zaizai’s high school life as she finds her first love, Zhang Lurang to her high school graduation, and eventually her marriage with Zhang Lurang.Though WIFTY is one of my favorite shows, it’s undeniable that the show is filled with cringy scenes and minimal plot movement every episode. However, the cute scenes between Rangrang and Zaizai as well as the development of the character Rang Rang itself makes the show worth watching.The show first introduced Rangrang as a quiet, distant, introverted, boy who’s often found buried in a book, studying. Despite being cold and distant, he’s found being the topic of conversation for many of his classmates as a result of his good looks and high grades.Su Zaizai, however, is the complete opposite of who Rangrang is, as she’s extroverted, cheerful, and optimistic. The difference between the personalities of Zaizai and Rangrang, drew them closer together and allowed the watcher to better understand Rangrang’s complex family dynamics and the impacts it has on Rangrang.Rangrang’s Family Dynamics
In Rangrang’s family, he’s the eldest of two, having a younger brother, Luli who lives with his parents while Rangrang stays at his uncle’s house to be closer to his school. However, during the New Years, Rangrang’s family came to celebrate the holidays with him. During the holiday season, we could see that Rangrang’s younger brother was adored by the whole family as he excelled in school and was even able to skip a grade because of this. As a result, his parents viewed Luli as a perfect child who never does anything wrong or causes any worries. On the other hand, Rangrang, despite scoring the highest grades in all the subjects except English, his mom would often criticize him for not being as smart as his younger brother and not studying more, causing more problems for the family.In the later scenes, we see Rangrang in his room studying, refusing to move on to the next question until he understood it. Additionally, when his friends asked him to hang out, he turned down their request simply so he would be able to study. Through all the hard work, his achievements were never recognized by his parents since Luli was always able to do better than him.During the New Year dinner with his parents, his mom made sure that she had all the foods that Luli enjoys and that he didn’t have to eat the foods that he didn’t like. However, when it came to Rangrang, she didn’t even know that he was allergic to shrimp, symbolizing the fact that he’s simply ignored in his household because he wasn’t able to meet their expectations.This results in him isolating himself from the world and reviewing class material, in order to meet his parents’ standards.Additionally, in one episode, Luli suggested that they play video games together as he hasn't been able to pass the level by himself. Despite Luli was the one to suggest playing video games, when his parents saw that Luli and Rangrang was gaming, they immediately assumed that Rangrang was the one who forced his younger brother to start gaming as a way to “erode” his brain, claiming that back home, Luli never played video games.The constant toxicity towards Rangrang pushed Luli to leave home later that night, believing that his parents were only toxic to Rangrang because of him, so if he was to disappear, they would no longer be this toxic to Rangrang. Even though a son disappeared in the middle of the night in an unfamiliar city, his parents' first reaction was to blame Rangrang for not being more careful, resulting in the disappearance of Luli instead of brainstorming where Luli could be.How This Impacts His Relationship With Su ZaizaiAs seen throughout the show, Rangrang was never appreciated or understood in his family. This was reflected in his love for Su Zaizai as he always made sure that she felt seen and appreciated whether that’s buying her favorite foods, learning her hobbies, or simply listening to her struggles.Although he wasn’t interested in Zaizai at first, her carefree and naïve personality that resembles his golden retriever created a sort of bond between the two. They got even closer after Zaizai was assigned to be Rangrang’s English tutor while Rangrang tutored her in maths and sciences. At first, they were just classmates teaching each other but the longer they spent together, the stronger their feelings were for each other. Their relationship blossomed after the grades for the tests they help each other study for got released.When Rangrang saw that Zaizai was able to improve her grade, rather than thinking that he was a great tutor, he brought Zaizai some snacks, symbolizing that he recognized the hard work that she put in to improve her grade, which was something he was never recognized for.Similarly, when Zaizai saw that Rangrang was able to improve his English skills, she brought a stuffed animal that had a recording of her voice, congratulating him on his success. Throughout the show, whenever Rangrang would feel discouraged or stressed, he would always play the recording as it reassured him that there’s someone who believes in him and is proud of him.Though Rangrang was never a talkative kind and would often seem cold or distant when Zaizai talks to him, he would always listen and remember things that Zaizai told him. For instance, when Zaizai realized that Rangrang was feeling down one day, she handed him pudding saying that whenever she felt down, she would just take a bite of the pudding, to raise her mood. After hearing that, Rangrang would make sure that he had some pudding in hand so that when Zaizai was ever feeling down, he would be able to cheer her up.
This form of affection towards Zaizai was established because he wants her to know that she’s heard and important to him.
Another example would be during Zaizai’s first business trip. The business partner was making her feel uncomfortable and when she stood up for herself, her co-workers all sided with the partner in order to not lose the sponsorship. As a result, she left the conference and waited outside the room for the conference to finish. While she was waiting, Rangrang called her to make sure she’s okay and everything is going smoothly. Upon hearing her voice, Rangrang immediately picked up that something bad happened to Zaizai that she’s not sharing. Therefore, Rangrang decided to drive 3 hours to pick Zaizai up late at night, just so she wouldn’t be by herself.Finally, towards the show’s finale, Rangrang pulls Zaizai into an empty room that will later be the apartment they share together. There, he would propose to Zaizai while a vlog he compiled of their high school years and all the little moments they shared together played in the background as he knew that vlogging was something Zaizai really valued.ConclusionOverall, Zu Yiran did an incredible job in portraying Rangrang and bringing the character to life. Despite the show being a slow burn, the producers were able to incorporate how living in a toxic family affected who Rangrang is as a person and ultimately how he treated Zaizai. Since Rangrang rarely felt valued or recognized in his household, it resulted in those being his priorities when it came to being in a relationship with Zaizai.

Princess Mononoke Movie Review

By: Anya

Princess Mononoke is a Japanese animated historical fantasy film by Studio Ghibli that explores the importance of nature, and the dangers of hatred. Set in a mythical past, the story follows Ashitaka, a young Emishi prince cursed by a demon, who seeks a cure and becomes caught in a violent conflict between Irontown; a small industrial town, and the forest gods.
At first, it seems to be a typical man versus nature story, however, this movie takes a neutral stance. Miyazaki presents themes of environmentalism and industrialism, without demonizing one side or the other. Lady Eboshi, leader of Irontown, is responsible for the destruction of the forest, yet she is also a progressive figure who provides refuge and purpose for lepers and former brothel workers. On the other side, San is a human girl raised by wolves and taught to protect the forest and hate humans. Ashitaka explores both sides of the conflict, witnessing how hatred and violence have corrupted both sides. Miyazaki also portrays San and Lady Eboshi as strong, empowered women. San is an independent and fierce warrior, yet compassionate toward the forest and Ashitaka. Lady Eboshi leads Irontown with authority and empathy, offering refuge to lepers and former brothel workers. The women of Irontown play a central role in iron production and are respected and praised by Eboshi, creating a matriarchal and supportive community of women.
Although the romantic relationship between Ashitaka and San felt a little underdeveloped because their emotional bond progressed too quickly with minimal interaction, I think the film focuses more on their mutual understanding and recognition of each other’s values. They see and respect each other despite coming from different sides of conflict. Ashitaka sees San’s pain and her loyalty to the forest. San, in turn, sees Ashitaka’s effort to understand both the forest and Irontown without judgment, and they support each other’s growth.
In conclusion, Ashitaka serves as a crucial bridge between Irontown and the forest, embodying the possibility of understanding one another in a conflict. Rather than choosing a side, he seeks to see the good and the flaws in both. Princess Mononoke, teaches that in times of division, we should not be blinded by hatred or consumed by violence. Instead, we should strive to listen, understand, and find common ground, only then can we begin to heal and rebuild a world where both nature and humanity can coexist.

Threshold

By: Vanessa S.

Threshold

The air is thick with dying gold,
the trees like specters bow and weep.
A hush, a hush, the branches moan,
as autumn lulls the world to sleep.The doors creak, creak! A hollow throat
the echoes whisper, whisper names.
I step inside! Yet all I was,
will never walk this hall the same.For time is but a fickle hand,
a ghost that tap, tap, taps the pane.
It steals the voice, it dims the eyes,
it sings of loss in soft refrain.Oh, tell me, must I follow through?
Must I become what waits ahead?
The past still rustles in my bones!
Though all its echoes now have fled…yet, tick, tick, tick! The hours call!
As seasons turn and worlds expand.
For what is change but fate’s decree,
a map unfurled by unseen hands?And so I step! The hush returns!
The wind exhales, the shadows lean!
The walls inhale a different name,
as something shifts! Unheard and unseen!

Fate

By: Diana

I’m sorry I’m the way I am
I hope we can love each other again
~ love you <3

Winter Book Recommendations

By: Gina

It’s that time of the year again when we all snuggle up in our cozy blankets, drink hot chocolate, and wait for the soft snowflakes to land. However, there is no true winter without books! Where are some of our favorite winter stories to snuggle up with and escape this winter, as the world grows dark.Number 1: Lovely War
Age range: young adultA beautiful historical fiction romance written by Julie Berry, the Printz award-winning author of The Passion of Dolssa, this book combines the elements of Greek mythology with the true events of the first world war. Lovely War is one of the most unique crossover books I’ve ever read.The story starts off with Hephaestus, the Greek god of craftsmanship, catches his wife Aphrodite cheating on him with Ares. In the original Greek myth, Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, was forced into an arranged marriage with Hephaestus because Zeus, the King of Gods, feared that the other male gods would fight over her. One day, Hephaestus caught Aphrodite and Ares together with an indestructible and invisible net. He refused to let them go unless Aphrodite agreed to a divorce.In Lovely War, Hephaestus demands there to be a court case to hold Aphrodite guilty for infidelity, but Aphrodite instead wishes there to be a private case, so she can defend herself as her husband acts as the judge. She claims she is lonely and unloved, presenting her case by providing evidence of mortal love stories. I was enamored with Aphrodite’s reasoning for the love between her and Ares, and how love is basically two sides of the same coin.Lovely War is not just a warm and romantic story. It spins the tragedy of heartache and torment. It tells the story of how, with war, a gruesome, chaotic, and brutal reality can coexist with love— a tender feeling, an unbreakable bond, a neverlasting reverie.Number 2: The False Prince
Age range: 13 and aboveThe False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen is the first book of the Ascendance Series. The book takes place in an unstable kingdom fueled with civil wars. To unify the kingdom, Bevin Conner, a nobleman of the court, sets out to find a teenage boy to impersonate the long- lost prince Jaron. There, Connor meets the main character, Sage, a fourteen-year old orphan who makes a living by stealing food from others. Sage, along with two other boys named Roden and Tobias, are all brought into Connor’s grandiose mansion to begin their training, but only one will become the false prince.What I love about the book is that the situation is not what it seems like. Sage himself is not just any random orphan boy. Sage also knows the treacherous nature of Connor, and throughout the story, he vows to figure out the truth behind Connor’s intentions and history.The False Prince is one of my favorite fantasy books because the lore is very well-written and intricate. The political tensions, sword fighting, and training the boys have to go through to impersonate a prince is beyond fascinating. Overally, the book is a must read for anybody who enjoys a good medieval fantasy drama.Number 3: Red Queen
Age range: young adultRed Queen is a YA dystopian fantasy novel written by Victoria Aveyard that dives into the themes of power imbalances, oppression, and social class. In the kingdom of Norta, humans are divided and classified by their blood type: either silver or red. Those with silver blood are wealthier, god-like, and privileged, contrasting the red-blooded people, who struggle with poverty and who work as servants beneath the silver-blooded people.We get introduced to the protagonist, Mare Barrow, a red-blooded girl whose siblings were all drafted in the war due to being Reds. The Silvers use Reds as human fuel to keep their war going, and despite having enough money to treat their injuries, the silver would rather hoard their wealth than to assist the reds. Everything changes when Mare is tasked to act as a royal servant at an event called Queenstrial, where noblewomen compete for the marriage with the two princes.Throughout the story, Mare struggles with trust, for the people she meets always have another secret side to them. Although the story is obviously fictional, I like how Red Queen tackles many issues that apply to the real world today, like how those in power have the opportunity to create equality but refuse due to greed. Red Queen is an amazing book for people who want to dive into the themes of social inequality and oppression.Number 4: Narnia: The lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Age range: 10 and olderThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is a classic enjoyed by those of all ages. As a kid, this was my favorite Narnia book of all time. It’s filled with magical elements, such as talking animals, portals to another land, and adventures through a fantasy world.The story is about four siblings: Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. The four siblings are sent to live with a professor whose mansion is home to a magical wardrobe. Lucy is the first sibling to discover this. As she hides in the wardrobe, she lands in a snowy biome. According to the faun she meets, Narnia has been enchanted by the evil White Witch so that there is eternal winter.I personally liked the metaphors being the plot choices. The danger of gluttony is presented in Edmund’s trust in the white witch and his cravings for Turkish delights. The simple trope of Good vs. Evil is turned into a fantasy adventure where the four children are tasked into fighting the oppressive leader of Narnia as heroes. The story is a timeless classic where all of our childish imaginations come to life.Number 5: The Nightingale and the Rose
Age range: 10 and olderThis one is a way shorter story. It’s by the famous author Oscar Wilde, and it is awfully tragic. I actually cried when reading this as a kid.Unlike most stories, which paint love in a wholesome light, The Nightingale and the Rose shows how greed, deceit, and apathy, can be mistaken as love. Love itself brings great sorrows because with love comes trust and vulnerability, and those things can be easily taken advantage of.The story surrounds a boy who wishes to go to a dance with his crush, but his crush demands red roses, which he does not have. A nightingale witnesses this and wishes to make the lover story come true. The bird flies through the garden, searching for a red rose…but can she find one on time?The story illustrates how love is not always a happily ever after;, rather, it can lead to great heartache and pain. If you’re into stories that don’t have a simple resolution, this could be your next favorite read.So, grab a blanket, make yourself a cup of hot chocolate, and let these stories transport you to places where magic and adventure runs deep. Winter may be old but with the right book in your hand, your heart will stay warm. Hopefully you like my recommendations!

Interview with Mehul Chowdhary

What inspired you to create Through Dragon Gate?In elementary school, I used to be into legends. I came across the legend of the dragon, the Chinese legend and how the car jumped through the water, falling into the gate; for me at the time, it was really cool because I hadn't ever read something like this. Then, when I looked back at it in high school, I realized that I could use it to represent how people can overcome their hardships. And it was the only creative idea I had at the time, so I just decided to try it.Was there any specific moment that inspired you to create it? Did you have to do any research before you got into creating it?Yeah, I did research what Chinese Dragons looked like because I didn't know how to draw them. And, I also had to research how the fish looks like itself and the colors used to make it.Do you typically plan like your art as much as you did this one?Yeah. I spend a while sketching and then go over it again on paper. Then, I take a photo of it and retrace it again on my iPad, and then I start coloring it.How did you decide on the color? Was it just what the dragon and the fish were supposed to look like, or did you try to make them cohesive in any way?For this fish, I actually didn't know what to do at all, so I searched up a palette and then modified it a bit to make it a bit cooler. For the dragon, I tried to use the dark clone on the fish and make it that the basin said to show contrast with the white fish. For the other colors, I basically just played with them until I found something I liked.How do you usually do backgrounds? Do you put a lot of thought into it?I'm not too good at backgrounds. But if you see other digital pieces, they have these really intricate backgrounds, so I tried my best to not make it too simple. I also couldn't make it too much because I don't know how to, so I mostly just used gradients and there's just reflection tool in procreate which kind of reflects the subject and adds some noise and distortion, and I use that to make it a bit more detailed.How long did it take you to complete the work? And how long does it typically take you to, like, think that a piece is completely done?It took me six hours to make this one, and I would say that's a little a little shorter than the ones I spend a lot of time on. The longest one I did took me like 10 hours, but that's only because I redrew it again and again and again until I was satisfied with it. Around 3 hours is what I usually do. Then, if I want to put extra effort, it goes up to 10 hours.How do you know when a piece is complete?When I think that I cannot add anything else to it that will make it significantly better. For example, you know how people add these little effects once they're done? Once I realize that won't truly help it too much, it's fine as it is. I guess that's what I know when it's done.Did the meaning behind the piece change while you were drawing it?In the first sketch I drew, the fish was supposed to be small, and it was going to be more of a large dragon and a physical gate instead. I decided to change that so the fish wouldn't be as insignificant as it was in the first sketch. I also removed the physical dragon gate because I felt like drawing it symbolically made more sense in this case.What meaning do you hope that viewers take away from the piece?That they can understand that there's no specific restriction on how a person has to be in order to change for the better of course. And if this fish can do it, then I think you could do it too if you try.If you could revisit the piece and add anything to it, would you add anything to it?Yes, I think I would enhance the wispy lines a bit more so it's clear to see, and maybe make the background just a bit more detailed. Other than that, nothing else.When did you start drawing and when did you realize that it was something that you love to do? Was it a moment in time, or was it just gradual?It was more gradual. I started a long time ago, when I think it was when I was five or six, but that was just like more of, you know, young kids doodling. I started to draw more in middle school, and that's when I started to do it more consistently. But nowadays I've started to decrease my time because of homework.Do you have any like advice for artists that are starting off, or any advice for anyone who might be struggling with artist block?Don't try to force yourself to do something. A lot of times, I don't have any ideas, and if I just try to force myself to make something, it doesn't really work. If you're struggling with ideas, maybe search for inspiration online or just look at everyday things around you and draw them. You know you might find something new that you like drawing. Mehul Chowdhary's piece Through the Dragon's Gate was a notable artwork from iSSUE V.

Interview with Chainka

What inspired you to create “the portrait of a girl in the apple garden?”It's hard to pick just one thing. I was actually thinking about The Portrait of Dorian Gray, the book which I read a long time ago. This piece is kind of dedicated to my friend, but also to me in some ways, and all the girls that have been through it because, you know, we never know what will be in adulthood. And we always wait for something beautiful to happen. But I think, in the moment, it was the book and just the understanding of growing up.How does the piece reflect your own life experiences?I'm from Ukraine, so I've been through the war and, in parts, I still am. And while I was growing up, I always felt like a kid in a glass house, in that I've been always been protected, almost even overprotected by my parents because they didn't let me see anything bad. I always thought I was safe.Then the war hit, and I felt like I was on my own. And the realization that this is it, this is how adulthood looks. I think from that perspective, it was also about the dialogue between me and my younger self.How do you typically begin a new piece? Do you do any research for it, or do you just start writing?It depends on what kind of piece I'm writing, because sometimes I just have this idea of something and I start to write. But then sometimes I have a more profound piece. I remember writing, for example, a poem called “The Russian Mother,” and it was about Russia and the history of Russia. I really wanted to make it deep, with a lot of metaphors, but I didn’t want to overdo it.For this particular piece, for example, I dug, but I think writing is such a unique process for everyone. Somebody might take one minute to create something and it will be perfect. And someone else has to really think it over, and I think that's okay.How do you know when a piece is ready to be published, or if it's perfect?Honestly, I always ask myself, ‘is it really that good or do I just like this at this particular moment?’ But I think that the best part of writing is that you never have a perfect finished piece; I sometimes come back to the poems that I wrote a long time ago and wonder, ‘can I add something here?’ and ‘I like this one more now.’I think we, as writers, sometimes create fences with the idea that we should add only this and we should take this as a finished result, but it's fun to mess around to make more interesting notes to add something.So, for me, I think I never know if the piece is perfect. If it touches my soul, I like it. It could be very badly written, especially with misspellings, but if it touches my soul, I'm good with it.How long did it take you to complete “the portrait of a girl in the apple garden?” Did your vision for the piece evolve as you worked?If I'm not mistaken, it took me one evening. I was just sitting with my parents and we were watching some kind of movie, and I just had this idea of the girl standing in the garden. I was like, ‘I have to write it right now or otherwise I'll forget about this, like I always do.’ So, I just started writing on a piece of paper and I think a lot of pieces were lost in process because I just couldn't understand what I wrote.But I wrote it one evening, and then the next morning, I was rereading it to my friend, and I think that the next morning I didn't add anything. I feel like maybe I've added some things as I was submitting it, but that was kind of it.If you could revisit the piece, do you think you would change anything?I don't really want to come back to the piece because I think it was really good. I think even if it has some weird aspects, I just want to leave it like this to interpretation for everybody. I don't want to change that, at least for now, for the record.What else do you want people to know about you or about your piece?I really hope that my art touches someone deeply and heals them. I don't mean healing like making them instantly feel good, but I just want them to feel like, ‘wow, somebody knows me,’ because when I started writing at the time of the war, I just felt very depressed. I was in a new place that I didn't know, and I didn't want to explore.I just started writing, and I felt like there were pieces of me that really understood the other, smaller me. And I just want the same for everybody. I want them to read my poetry or prose and feel like there's a reason for living and to keep going.I feel like the most important thing to know about me is that I'm just a human. I don't want to put any labels on myself, like I’m an artist or whatever. I feel every person is an artist, and can learn or at least try art.Do you have any advice for people who are just starting off with art or just starting off with writing?You have to start somewhere. There's always this fear that is holding you back, but you will feel it every time. Every day in our life, there's something that we fear doing. There is alwaysfear in our life, but fear is not bad. You just have to keep going, and, even if somebody thinks your art is bad, it's okay.I don't feel like an artist should be understood. We try to understand everybody, but that doesn't mean that we will be understood. Some art is alluring, but we still can't find answers to why, for example, this writer wrote this line or why this painter made his painting like this. I think art is all about moving you. You have to start somewhere, and you will always find people who will support you; if nobody supports you, I support you. Somewhere on this earth, I’m here for you.
Chainka's piece the portrait of a girl in the apple garden was a notable poem from iSSUE V.

Percy Jackson TV Show Review

By: Zara Azeem

Rating: 4/5The new Percy Jackson and the Olympians series on Disney+ is the newest adaptation of the beloved Percy Jackson and the Olympians book series. So far, only one season depicting the first book has been released. Will the series live up to the fans’ standards of the original series, or will it fail like the myriad of previous adaptations before it?The story follows Percy Jackson, a young 12-year-old demigod, on his journey to discover who he is while simultaneously exploring the world of Greek mythology. The son of the god Poseidon and a mortal, Sally Jackson, he joins his newfound friends, Annabeth and Grover, on a quest to solve the mystery of who stole Zeus’ lightning bolt. If he fails, war will break out.So, you know, pretty low stakes.In the TV show adaptation, Walker Scobell, Leah Jefferies, and Aryan Simhadri play Percy, Annabeth, and Grover, respectively. As some fans have labeled it, they seem to have “fallen out of the book”. This is largely due to Rick Riordan’s involvement in casting: of course, he knows who best represents the characters that he himself created.Indeed, Scobell, Jefferies, and Simhadri have truly captured the personality of their characters. However, we can’t ignore the fact that they are simply kids. Their acting, especially at the show’s beginning, wasn’t representing their full potential. At times, their bland reactions and emotions minimized the excitement of the scene. Nonetheless, they still made the show enjoyable through their accurate depiction. We can trust that they will improve and grow as the series progresses.The show portrays one book, Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief, in only 8 episodes. Despite this, many parts of the show feel dragged on longer than needed. For example, when Percy and Grover travel to Hades or when Percy and Annabeth discuss Hephaestus’ trick when entering the amusement park, the scenes are long and unimportant to the plot, adding just about zero entertainment value.Still, almost all episodes were able to create an exciting atmosphere through the action-packed scenes. But that brings up another technical issue: confusion. I had read the books beforehand, so I had a basic understanding of most of the context. However, the show might seem random for people who haven’t read them because some parts are not explained enough. On that note, I truly missed Percy’s internal dialogue and narration while watching the series. His sassy remarks and his perspective were the most entertaining parts of the book.Yet, other aspects of the show were able to get me hooked. The sets and some scenes in the series were exactly what I imagined. Camp Halfblood is exactly what I pictured when reading the first book. The natural beauty surrounding the camp and Percy’s cabin especially caught my eye. The Greek architecture is magnificent and adds to the magical aspect of the series. I found the first interaction between Annabeth and Percy during Capture the Flag so accurate, summarizing their relationship perfectly.Making film adaptations for the books has been attempted before; case in point, Logan Lerman’s infamous interpretation of them. They ultimately failed and never made it past two films. Riordan himself was not fond of the films, and neither was I. The gross inaccuracies that were presented and the over-aged cast were not something I was hoping for in the show’s adaptation. And thankfully, history did not repeat itself on these insufficiencies.The casting directors of the new Percy Jackson series decided that Logan Lerman would not play Poseidon, Percy’s father, despite anticipation from fans. They chose to keep the two adaptations separate from each other, which, in my opinion, was the better choice. The Percy Jackson TV adaptation needed to start fresh and proved to be more accurate and enjoyable for younger viewers, which is the target audience.Overall, if you are looking for a family-friendly TV show, the new series is perfect for you. If you have read Percy Jackson's books previously, watching the show will surely make you want to read the books all over again, for the loveable characters, friendships, and Greek magic and myths. But if poor pacing and acting get on your nerves, you might want to sit out this season. You’ll definitely want to stay tuned for future seasons, though, which hopefully will improve. I think I speak for most people when I say that despite the downfalls of the first season of Percy Jackson, I’m impatiently waiting to see how Riordan portrays the next books on our TV screens!

Book Review: Addie Larue

By: Sneha Moudgalya

4.5 stars.For someone who’s been alive for over two centuries, Addie LaRue doesn’t have many friends.
In fact, there isn’t anyone who remembers her, really. Addie has stumbled through almost 300 years of life with no one to talk to, or rely on, with her biggest goal being to leave a mark on the world; but it never really works. That is, until a boy recognizes her at a tiny bookstore, opening a whole new chapter in her dazzling adventure.The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab (or just Addie LaRue for short) is a book of mystery, romance, and adventure, shifting back and forth through historical and present narrative to slowly bring Addie’s situation to life. It’s exactly the type of slow-burning mystery that mesmerizes me; but in particular, the book stuck with me for two main reasons.
First, the writer’s style, which can really make or break a book. I’ve read some reviews heavily criticizing Schwab’s dynamic structure throughout the novel, but the choice made sense to me with the plot that she was crafting. To be less vague about it, her style is a mixture between prose and poetry, the latter of which only appears at the most crucial points in the story. It helps to foreshadow what’s to come, and establishes the poetic passages as turning points in the book. It was also an interesting artistic choice, making the book a lot more memorable.
Now, let’s talk pacing. Like I mentioned above, the story switches regularly from historical to modern time periods, giving the novel a puzzle-like feel. Throughout the book, we follow Addie’s adventures, both in the past and present, which Schwab deliberately links to eventually reveal the events that placed her into her situation. The unhurried exposition was the main thing which kept me hooked, from cover to cover.The second choice I liked in Addie LaRue was the ending. Everything Schwab mentions in the book seems to serve a larger purpose, and there are probably numerous easter eggs I missed in my first read-through which hint towards the story’s resolution. I promise you, no matter how much of a book detective you take yourself for, you will not see the end coming; but it all makes sense.If there’s one thing about me, it’s that I love when an ending circles back to the beginning, wrapping everything like a present—I mean, who doesn’t? Well, this book does exactly that. I could go on and on and on about the end because as soon as I finished the book, I knew how hard it would be to find another ending to top it; but, I digress. Read the book, and you’ll see what I mean.Now that I’ve talked about all the things I love about Addie LaRue, there is one small detail that holds it back from five stars: the romance. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a sucker for a good romance. In fact, I might even say it’s my favorite genre. But the romance in this book just felt a bit forced. Like, there’s only one person who remembers her, so she falls in love with him? If it was a different guy with a completely different personality, would she fall in love with him too? The progression was just a little too quick for my liking. Then again, the love story is just a side note to Addie’s greater adventure, so it’s not the biggest critique – just a picky detail, more of personal preference. It would take a lot to overshadow the effect the ending had on me, though.
For anyone looking for the perfect mystery adventure, this one’s for you. It’ll be pretty hard to put down, I promise you that. It has a bit of mythology and romance mixed into it, enhancing the magic the book makes you feel, but mainly follows one girl through centuries of trying to make her mark on the world who can’t seem to remember her; and somehow, in the end, she manages to do just that.

Internships for Students

10 activities. All 10 of them should be related to your ”intended major” while at the same time showing you have “passions.” College applications have been getting more competitive by the year.Several activities, like internships, can help you fill those 10 spaces. However, can they fulfill you and provide an enjoyable and worthwhile experience? Now, that’s something to ask yourself.You might struggle with finding unique extracurriculars that you enjoy doing and, at the same time, provide you with proper work experience. For example, you could be a prospective journalist who interns with a local newspaper office, but if your only job is filling out paperwork, that doesn’t fulfill your desire to write and share your voice with the public.NAi, a student-led lit magazine, is a platform for student creativity. We publish a wide range of student work, from paintings and photography to poems and stories. Recently, NAi has evolved into an independent organization, and we're expanding our team. This is your chance to lead, propose new ideas, and actively participate in the new and improved NAi. Internship applications are now open, allowing you to make a real impact as a student.NAi has something for everyone, with departments for social media, finance management, editing, writing, and website design.Our social media team advertises our issues and creates short-form content to expand our reach and recruit more members. Reaching a larger audience requires extensive strategic planning.One wildcard position we have is financial management. As a part of this team, you have the chance to manage our new non-profit structure, fundraising, and budgeting. If you want to explore a career in business management, this position is perfect for you!Editors view our submissions and explain to the editorial board whether to reject or accept submissions. They also provide feedback to contributors.Our graphic design team leads the creation of the issue's spreads. If you enjoy art and design, this is something to consider.Website designers play a large part in maintaining our brand and visibility. As a part of this department, you would help create and update our website and ensure high SEO stats. This is an excellent opportunity if you’re considering a career in Computer Science or Web Development.An exciting part of NAi is our blog about media, books, movies, and more! If you’d love to contribute, apply to be a writer. You'll have a significant role in choosing how we connect with other youth on our website.NAi is a place of growth and opportunity. We have internships available for all students, offering the chance to boost your college applications and gain valuable experience. More than that, being part of our team can provide a sense of fulfillment and enjoyment as you pursue your passions.Apply now to be a part of our team and grow with NAi! Your future career starts here.

Young Writers – an interview with Apuroopa Kavikondala

By: Catherine Xue

Learn more about this exciting young writer and her work!I. IntroductionRecently, I’ve had the honor of interviewing Apuroopa Kavikondala, a published teen author and a passionate advocate for mental health.For those unfamiliar with Apuroopa, she is a junior in high school that has published four books, one of her most recent releases being Us AF, a story which follows three main protagonists as they navigate the final years of their high school life. Outside of being a published author, she’s a dancer, martial artist and a social animal that aspires to make an impact and highlight the gravity of mental health.In this interview, I was able to ask her a few questions about her general publishing/writing process, as well as more focused questions on Us AF. Read more here.