Our Mission
About Us
Mollusk Literary Magazine is a global online literary magazine that seeks to amplify the voices of a new generation of writers and artists. It was founded in 2023 by Founding Editors in Chief, Sascha Chernesky and Rida Zulfikar. We aim to empower those interested in submitting by implementing a transparent timeline for submissions, quick turnaround, feedback on submissions when requested, and additional resources for writers. However, we are certainly still learning as well, so if there’s something you think is missing from our website, please contact us and we will take your suggestions to heart. Writing and art should be healing, fun, and exciting—our goal is to reduce the stress of putting your work out there, especially for newer writers and artists.
“watashiato”
“n. curiosity about the impact you’ve had on the lives of the people you know, wondering which of your harmless actions or long-forgotten words might have altered the plot of their stories in ways you’ll never get to see.” - The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows
Mollusk Lit believes this “made up” word encapsulates our ideology quite succinctly, in the way that we wish to expand the curiosity of everyone who happens upon our page—readers, writers, artists, and editors alike. Writing and art are exploratory mediums. Discoveries are made every day, ten million times over. Maybe you’ll make a few here. Maybe you’ll connect with this character or that culture. Some words and images will stick with you forever. Through the writers, artists, and works we promote, we hope to remind our creators that their work, their time, their words and images are not only deserving of their love and attention, but our love and attention, and that of the public eye as well.
Let us learn something new. Let us feel warmth, thrills, wonder. Let us share our fears and spread the burden of our hurt so that we all may carry a lighter load.
You have already left the world a better place.
Methodology
At Mollusk Lit, we help writers break into the industry, gain more familiarity with their writing, and promote voices that haven’t yet found a place in the public eye.
Therefore, we are particularly interested in hearing from previously unpublished and unrecognized creators. We also wish to hear from diverse voices, and support POC, LGBTQ+, and all walks of life. However, we will not give preferential treatment regarding personal identity (i.e. no affirmative action; pieces accepted are based on merit).
We also offer critiques for pieces submitted, even if the piece is not selected for publishing (but only if the author or artist requests feedback).
We value YOUR time. We aim to respond to pieces within a week and offer commentary in around 1-4 weeks (depending on the length of the piece and the requested level of editing). If accepted, we will publish your piece on our website within a week of receiving confirmation from you. You can expect to see your work formally published in April, August, or December in an issue of the magazine.
Unfortunately, Mollusk Lit cannot pay writers or artists for now. We hope we can soon, and if you want to help us reach that point quicker, you can get in contact with us about donations at mollusk.lit@gmail.com.
If you believe Mollusk Lit is the place for your writing or art, submit!
If Mollusk Lit is not the place for you, or you’re looking for other places to submit to, please check our Alternative Markets page!