I’m going to be honest. I love the nostalgic moments that occur when a smell in the air brings you back to your past. I love the moments where everything feels right when nothing really is, and I love getting inspiration from quiet moments that let you realize what you really want to be doing. For these reasons and more, I instantly fell in love with Gigantic Sequins.
(issue 1.2′s cover, looking amazing and almost in our hands)
Kimberly Ann Southwick’s editor’s note starts with a walk through Boston, feeling that urge of inspiration and cravings full of big voices, aches for community, and need for multi-talented artists showing a more unique side in a literary journal. She says “I founded this magazine because I didn’t care if it was ever huge, only big enough to fall into a category, something ‘for the people’ if you will.”
The illustrations by Peter Harren add an aspect to the magazine that’s so deliberate and important, with the smallest moments and most tender characters. The written highlights for me were by Jeff Laughlin, Alia Hamada, Ryan Sanburn, and shoney lamar. However, every single piece brought me closer to a concrete publication so very valuable. From revolting against the mindless ways of humans pushing elevator buttons (Ryan Sanburn‘s “Going Down”), to being the caring assistant in the moon’s orbiting demise (Sophia Natasha Sunseri’s “On the Day that the Moon Died”), this sixty four page issue (including reviews of two books), will make you feel like literary journals may still be worth your time.
There is an overall sense of accomplishment in Gigantic Sequins that’s looking to the future of the little guy and the art of the written word. There’s also the feeling on every page that they’re just getting started, and already kicking ass. Frankly, they’re just doing something right.
