It's been a while, but labaatan issue
#5
submissions are now open!
For this issue of labaatan, we’re looking for pieces themed around rebirth.
Submissions close on the 31st of July; please send all submissions to submissions
@labaatan
.com, NOT editorial
@labaatan
.com
Ahead of our submissions opening on Monday, we'd like to introduce you to our Editorial Team! Introducing our EIC and Founding Editor, Haaniyah Angus (
@_haaniyah_
). Haaniyah is a culture critic based in the United Kingdom.
Looking for a romantic Sunday afternoon read? We have you covered with our latest LIFE essay on secret elopement in your early 20s and what marriage means when you're the only two who know about it.
As we come to a close on Gen Zero, Tola Folarin-Coker (
@omgtolaa
) brings us a look back to the kids websites of the 00s and how they’ve become obsolete in todays internet landscape.
*tap* is this thing on?
labaatan is returning this summer, and we cannot wait to share our new issue with you! It'll be 1/2 for this year, but don't worry; it's well worth the wait.
Please keep an eye on our socials because we'll also be announcing some volunteer openings!
For our January edition, we want pitches that centre on stories you believe are underrepresented in the current landscape of online journalism.
Please make sure you read our guidelines carefully before sending in your pitches.
The submission period will end on December 19th.
Her favourite film is The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964), a beautiful musical written & directed by Jacques Demy. It makes her cry every single time she watches it.
We'll be updating our linktree with resources to educate ourselves more on the liberation of Palestine and what can be done to help.
Thank you for all your support and your readership xx
Meet Aamina Khan (she/they), our Culture Editor! They are a Brooklyn-based culture writer with work in Teen Vogue, Vogue, The Cut, W Magazine, and more. You can find their work at
@aaminasdfghjkl
!
New from CULTURE:
“The religion of western civilisation is consumerism, and we all bow down at the altar”
Sinead Campbell (
@slayphexxtwin
) breaks down the latest trend in online micro identities—catholic girl core
Our Social Media Editor is Ariane Anindita (
@arianeanindita
)! Ari is an Indonesian writer, actor, and stand-up comedian currently based in Vancouver, British Columbia
"More than anything, it’s a means of playfully documenting the self, others, our stories or surroundings through a grainy, artful perspective."
Future Nostalgia: Why Gen Z Are Bringing The Digital Camera Back
Have you ever wondered why we write love letters or why songs sound so much like confessions? If you were, check out Karen Chalamilla's (
@kayandstuff
) article on love letters in literature, pop culture, and music for this week's Literature post.
Our Life Editor, Ayan Artan (
@artan_ayan
), is a Somali-born, Leicester-bred writer, journalist and editor. Her work focuses on critically engaging with intersectional viewpoints on topics like race, feminine identity, and the migrant experience.
We here at labaatan wouldn’t exist without gal-dem, they are a pivotal space in British media and it is absolutely shameful they can’t continue to operate. Thank you for all the work you’ve done!
We are incredibly sad to announce that gal-dem is closing.
Several factors that have contributed to this difficult decision, including numerous challenges with running a small, mission-driven, independent media company. We’ve shared more here
Are you interested in working part-time at a magazine? Well, you’re in luck, as labaatan is looking to expand our team ahead of our July relaunch.
We need a new Life Editor, as the lovely
@artan_ayan
is now our brand-new Beauty & Fashion Editor.
Our Politics Editor, Mishti Ali (
@heresmishti
), is a multimedia British Bangladeshi journalist with a focus on community and centering marginalised perspectives.
If you were looking for something a little newer to watch, check out last year's Amazon Prime hit, I Want You Back (2022), starring an ensemble that includes Jenny Slate, Charlie Day, Clark Backo, Manny Jacinto, and more!
New from LITERATURE:
If you're looking for books for your 2023 reading list, look no further, as
@ayeshasafia_
of
@Between2books_
offers a roundup of must-read upcoming titles and old favourites.
Today we have an exceptional essay for you all.
Throughout this piece, Changu Nan'gandu Chiimbwe discusses her experiences with hospitalisation, disability, and the impact Sally Rooney's Normal People had on her view of love.
For our first LIFE article of the month, we have 'The Loveless Twenties' by Latia Falcher (
@latiaf_
). In this personal essay, Falcher explores love and the expectations of finding the one before 25.
We're coming to a close with our edition next week, so we hope you enjoy our final few pieces!
Today we have an essay by Farah Sadek (
@rhythmnbIooms
). She examines her desire for love and romance whilst living in a modern age that seems to disregard it.
For our second edition, we want pitches that centre on the concept of love & limerence.
Please make sure to read our guidelines thoroughly before sending in your pitches.
The submission period ends on the 20th of February.
💕💕💕
For our third edition, we want pitches that centre on the concept of technology & digital culture.
Please make sure to read our guidelines thoroughly before sending in your pitches.
The submission period ends on the 22nd of April.
For our second music piece of the season, Yum Adnan (
@drizzleyee
) breaks down the impact of TikTok and aesthetics on how we interact with female musicians and their art in the digital age.
As January comes to a close and our next submission window just around the corner (👀), here's a recap of the articles from our very first issue of Labaatan! 🧵
📢 PITCH CALLOUT!
Our Literature Editor (
@ladyjuliettem
) is looking for your BOOK CRITIQUES, CRAFT PIECES, and CLOSE-READS. Submissions close on December 19th, email your pitches to editorial
@labaatan
.com! More below:
Content Warning: Mentions of Eating Disorders
With our final culture essay for the season Sinead Campbell (
@slayphexxtwin
) brings us an in-depth look at the legacy and history of Pro Ana & its resurgence in todays online spaces.
Thinking about switching over to a new social media platform? Well, why don't you give
@spacehey
a try?
For our second culture piece of Gen Zero, Deepshika Pasupunuri (
@unofficiallydee
) brings us into the world of the unofficial MySpace replacement.
In her essay on returning to the cinema after lockdown, Deborah Ogunsanwo (
@debbieogunsanwo
) examines the way we find solace and comfort within movie theatres.
If you needed a romcom to watch on this fine Monday, might we suggest Fire Island (2022)? This re-imagining of Pride & Prejudice written and starring Joel Kim Booster is sure to tug on your heartstrings!
Her favourite book is One Hundred Years of Solitude, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. She loves how powerfully evocative Marquez’s use of language can be, and how freeing the genre of magic realism can be.
We are also massively thankful for gal-dem’s inclusion of labaatan on their ‘17 independent UK-based media organisations to support’ list, thank you so much!
"Why does representation of women, though it is predominantly white women, need to result in the deaths of so many?"
Becca Masker takes on the gender plague novel for our latest in Literature:
📢 PITCH CALLOUT!
Our Culture Editor (
@aaminasdfghjkl
) is keen to hear pitches on ART, FASHION, FILM, and INTERNET CULTURE. Submissions close on December 19th. Send your pitches to editorial
@labaatan
.com! Details below:
You can usually find her galavanting around South London in the summertime, unironically enjoying the Fast and Furious franchise, and evaluating the quality of Seinfeld memes in her spare time.
📢 PITCH CALLOUT!
We're looking for pitches in MUSIC! Our Music Editor (
@burkakween
) is keen on hearing pitches on artists, albums, and scenes outside the mainstream + retrospective pieces. More below:
In her photo essay on the uncertainty of writing as a career, Erin Brady (
@erinmartina
) examines her introduction to entertainment writing and the places it has taken her.
For our love & limerence edition, our Life Editor
@artan_ayan
is looking for pitches centring personal essays, beauty and fashion.
Send your pitches before Feb 20th to editorial
@labaatan
.com!
Click the images below for more details 🫶🏽
We have an extra special piece today—in a profile with photography extraordinaire Film Abdi (
@filmabdi
), Dani Zuko (
@baithoeven
) asks him about all things dance, nightlife and the Black London experience.
If you want some electrifying high school chemistry, check out To All The Boys!
"To All The Boys just feels like a perfect romantic comedy for me. It truly gets that feeling of being a teenager and falling in love so perfectly."
Wishing you all a wonderful Tuesday. This is our final Literature piece for the season.
With her review of Onyi Nwabineli's (
@onyiwrites
) debut novel 'Someday Maybe', Anna-Maria Poku (
@annasreads
) explores love, loss, & coping after losing a loved one.
Are you ever curious about who keeps track of all the online content we see daily? In her close read of We Had To Remove This Post by Hanna Bervoets, Esosa Otabor explores the impact of explicit content on those who keep track of uncensored content.
For our gen zero edition, our Life Editor
@artan_ayan
is looking for pitches centring personal essays, beauty and fashion.
Send your pitches before April 22nd to editorial
@labaatan
.com!
The first part of our Feb editor takeover has been brought to you by culture editor
@aaminasdfghjkl
🧵
We'd love to hear your thoughts about the selected films & shows and whether you'll be watching them!
We’re excited to announce the call-outs for our brand-new Beauty & Fashion section headed by the wonderful
@artan_ayan
!!
Are there any trends you're excited for, or perhaps a retrospective of an icon you'd like to pen?
Get in touch before July 31 via submissions
@labaatan
.com!
On Yeh Jeewani Hai Deewani: "It’s a contemporary classic. An uncomplicated story about two people falling in love that really honors what the genre is about."
If you haven’t seen To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018) you’re missing out on one of the best young adult romances around.
Starring Lana Condor & Noah Centineo, To All The Boys revolutionised the modern romcom landscape!
Our 3rd issue is here!
For our first piece of the season, we have a literature essay from
@laramaesimpson
where they examine the poetry capability of AI and if it can create something that we believe to be innately human?
With our final literature piece for Gen Zero, Delia Campos-Ferreira (
@mvgicshopp
) pens an insightful article on how literature has evolved in the digital age.
This Monday, we have a delightful piece from Nana Ansah on her love for pop music and why we should be more open and honest about loving mainstream art.
For labaatan’s love & limerence edition, our Music Editor
@burkakween
is keen on hearing pitches on love letters to music, things you love to hate and songs that conjure up memories.
Send your pitches to editorial
@labaatan
.com before February 20th!
Last but not least, Aamina recommends Crazy Rich Asians: "Crazy Rich Asians is the blueprint. It takes every tropey and cliched thing about the genre and makes it feel fresh and brand new and indulgent."
Last but not least, our Culture Editor
@aaminasdfghjkl
is looking for pitches on the overnight success of long-term pop stars, branding power behind A24 and if stanning signifies a shift in our cultural values.
Make sure to pitch us via submissions
@labaatan
.com before the 31st!
For labaatan’s gen zero issue, our Music Editor
@burkakween
is keen on hearing pitches on cyberpunk, AI & social media.
Send your pitches to editorial
@labaatan
.com before April 22nd!
Looking for a post-Valentine's Day pick-me-up? How about a classic with killer wit and cable-knits, 1989's When Harry Met Sally starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal!
Juliette Macron (
@ladyjuliettem
) is our Literature Editor! She is a New York-based writer, teacher, tutor, and nanny. Born and raised in Queens, she currently resides in Brooklyn, pursuing an MFA in creative fiction.
Next up for our Gen Zero issue is a culture essay from Oona Milliken (
@Oona_Milliken
) on how "The Algorithm" works exactly as intended, even at the cost of your well-being.
Our Culture Editor (
@aaminasdfghjkl
) is keen to hear pitches on the internet’s influence on TV & Film as well as how it’s changed our interactions w celeb culture.
Our deadline for Gen Zero ends April 22nd.
Send your pitches to editorial
@labaatan
.com.
For our final CULTURE piece of the January edition,
@cinetamarisfan
heads back to 2020 to dissect the Cuties discourse that resulted in a harassment campaign against its director.
Aamina on Normal People: "It’s a brilliant show about lovers. I think about Marianne and Connell all the time when I think of miscommunications and friction in my own life."
Submissions have CLOSED for our December intake of pitches. Thank you so much to all the writers who sent in their ideas. Our next submission window opens on FEBRUARY 1ST 2023, so keep an eye out!
Looking to pitch our new Life Editor
@anushkadakshit
? Well, her pitch call-outs have arrived!
If any of these seem up your alley, please send your pitches to submissions
@labaatan
.com before the 31st of July!
There’s 8 days left to send in your culture, music and life pitches to labaatan for our gen zero issue.
Info for pitches is under our pinned tweet.
Please note that we’ve filled our literature submissions so unfortunately we won’t be accepting any more for this season.
Today we're taking on the big P word, aka parasocial relationships. Janan Jama (
@CHlCANERY
) discusses the Paul Mescal x Phoebe Bridgers discourse and how celebrity culture can influence and harm our perceptions of love.
Our Literature Editor
@ladyjuliettem
is looking for your book critiques, close reads and reviews.
Submissions close on February 20th, email your pitches to editorial
@labaatan
.com!
Read below for more info👇🏾
Ever wanted to get more into Shakespeare but needed to know where to start? Well, Becca Masker has you covered with a quick explainer of Shakespeare's romantic plays and why Twelfth Night might be the most swoon-worthy of the bunch.
Ushering in the Girls renaissance: " Girls does something that is so special. It removes any notion that these characters are role models, showing them as unkind and immature, but then really allows them to redeem themselves, not just to the audience, but also to each other."