Voiceworks issue #90, the Copy/Paste edition, is the second issue of the youth literary magazine to be edited by Kat Muscat. Showcasing a broader selection of poetry and visual art than ever before, Voiceworks #90 proves a compelling read, highlighting some of the very best non-fiction, fiction, poetry and visual art produced by young Australians under the age of 25.
Of particular interest in this edition is the emphasis placed on the editing process and the positive relationship that develops between writer and editor each time a piece is accepted by Voiceworks. The collaborative nature of the publication is mentioned in Muscat’s editorial, Emily Laidlaw’s Edcommitorial and one of the two Behind the Curtain sections, serving to emphasise the importance of Voiceworks as an invaluable resource for young writers attempting to improve and hone their craft. Wedged in the centre of the Copy/Paste edition is a prime example of the collaboration intrinsic to Voiceworks, ‘The Travelling Story’, a piece written by 30 young Australians from all around the country. Despite the difficulty of facilitating and crafting such a piece, it succeeds in delivering a cohesive story pulsing with mystery and suspense.
Like the issues of Voiceworks that have gone before it, issue #90 continues the tradition of showcasing work that is impressively varied in terms of subject matter and style. Among the fiction, a French backpacker makes waves within a seemingly solid homosexual relationship in Matthew Dunn’s ‘Patronage’; a village’s New Year festivities prove popular to the point of destruction in Michael Collins’ ‘Table’; and a young boy dreams of Antarctica in Katia Pase’s ‘The Big Prawn’. Grief, fangirl culture and the value of the Australian constitution all receive attention in the selection of non-fiction, and convoluted imagery emerges in the reading of each poem.
All but one of the fictional stories in this issue of Voiceworks are set very firmly within the bounds of realism. Whether that’s a reflection of the kind of stories young writers are choosing to tell, or the preference of the Voiceworks editorial committee is difficult to say. In contrast, much of the visual art showcased possesses a surreal quality, which works to suspend the publication as a whole in happy balance. Australian history also features prominently in several pieces, grounding this issue firmly within an Australian literary context.
That the submissions relate to the overarching Copy/Paste theme to varying degrees proves insignificant in light of the focus on well-informed, creative storytelling. Voiceworks #90: Copy/Paste is another successful showcase of the impressive literary and artistic prowess of young Australian creatives, and an exciting step in Voiceworks’ history.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Voiceworks #90 Spring 2012
Edited by Kat Muscat
Paperback, 88pp, RRP $10
Published by Express Media
