How a Beast Became an Editor-In-Chief
It's me, I'm the beast, and I want YOU to write/create for me!
I was writing you a big, juicy letter about cosmic anarchy. It got so big and so juicy that the room filled with viscous fluid, and I had to start doggie paddling. So, I’ve left that to be its own article (coming soon). Instead, this one is full of announcements, reflections, and a call for submission! Write for me!
Table of Offerings
Editor Announcement and Writing Opportunity!
Gratitude for Sojourners for Justice + Poster Art
Yes, I did a “Pride Line” of Clothing (but aren’t all my clothes gay always?)
Personal Tarot Readings
That’s Editor-In-Chief to You, Thank You Very Much!
A few months ago, a friend sent me a screenshot of a call for someone to create the “newsletter” for Black & Pink.
I thought, “Oh, I know all about newsletters.” *hair flips Substackly* So, I hit up the person who made the original post on Signal, and they sent me an email to one of the Directors of Black & Pink, Tena Hahn-Rodriguez.
After one email, we had an immediate interview. (I must’ve nailed that email!)
In that interview, I learned that the position was not to write a newsletter like the one you are reading right now. It’s not a role where you email subscribers once a month to give updates about the organization. That’s what I thought: something simple and easy to fill out for my freelance rotation.
It was an Editor-In-Chief position for the PRINT magazine that is sent to thousands of incarcerated Black and brown trans, queer people all over the U.S.
That’s what Black & Pink is all about. Black & Pink is an abolitionist organization that supports explicitly Black and brown trans, queer people on the inside.
To learn more about Black & Pink, click here.
Now, I’ll confess. They didn’t use the word Editor-In-Chief. But that’s precisely what I am, why? Because I am THE ONLY PERSON developing, writing, editing, designing, etc., this NATIONALLY distributed magazine. So why not claim the title and give myself the top spot? There is only the top spot! *wheezes* There’s only the top spot…
*Regains a composure of confidence and capability*
WRITE FOR ME! (and more!)
Send me pitches and proposals for essays, art, comics, stories, and more! I have listed them more specifically below!
Work can already be completed or be a brand new idea! We accept simultaneous submissions, but be aware that other publications may not.
Fill out this form here!
All are welcome to pitch and give offerings, but the voices of Black and brown trans people will be centered.
We welcome all walks of life and perspectives, but you must know we are an abolitionist, pro-trans, Black-centered, pro-choice, anti-fascist, anti-capitalist organization. We believe sex work is work, no human is illegal, and we work to end incarceration. Leave your fatphobic, islamaphobic, transphobic, whorephobic, anti-black, anti-immigrant, ableist, capitalist, sexist rhetoric and overall nasty energy behind. Period.
You can pitch:
Informational/educational articles
We would love: societal observations, music and culture trends, legislation and other political updates, gossip and hot takes, spiritual perspectives and guided meditations, self-care ideas, DIY projects, etc.
Personal
We would love: funny anecdotes, liberation and transformation stories, poetry, transitioning out of incarceration/survival narratives/advice, etc.
Artwork
We would love: empowering art, art that centers who we center, erotic art, funny art, art with diverse bodies, pop culture art. Some can be in color, but most of the magazine will be black and white. Offer anything and everything, and we will discuss it. Artwork could be used for internal images and/or cover art.
Fiction
We would love: action and adventure stories, sci-fi and fantasy, erotica, speculative fiction, work that takes us away from everyday life, etc.
Infographics
Comics
Hybrid pieces that combine different elements!
Submissions are rolling!
The 2024 schedule goes as follows:
June/July Issue -
Themes of: LGBTQIA+ pride, love, romance, erotica, legislation that affects queer/trans people, very gay stories, etc.
Due: Usually, it's May 1st, but you can submit it by June 5th if you’re comfortable with a quicker turnaround or already have something created.
September/October Issue -
Themes of: change and transformation, magick, religion, spirituality, holistic care, election information, writing advice for the cozy season, etc.
Due: August 31st
December/January Issue
Themes of: light and darkness, affirmations and meditations, solstice celebrations, thoughts on rest and hibernation, political projections/predictions, end-of-year summaries about anything (fashion, politics, music, top tens), etc.
Due: November 31st
I will roll out the 2025 schedule at the start of next year!
Some things to note:
You are welcome to make multiple pitches. Please fill out a separate form for each concept.
You will work with the editor (me) to have something published. Those unwilling to receive feedback need not apply.
We accept simultaneous submissions, so your work can be published here and elsewhere. However, most publications do not.
This is a rolling, ongoing call.
There is no monetary exchange for your work. By offering to create something or providing something you've already made, you are giving a gift to our sisters, brothers, and siblings on the inside.
You are welcome to use this as a publishing credit on your CV or otherwise.
Only one editor creates this whole magazine (hi, me). Please be patient and kind. Not every pitch will be accepted, but everyone will receive a response email. If you have not received a response, please do not follow up. It’s coming, I promise.
Work in Spanish is welcome, but it will take additional time for the editor to collaborate with a translator for edits. I do not have access to any other translators at this time.
Thank you for your time, care, and energy.
Gratitude for Sojourners for Justice
I was honored to create the poster for the historic first Black Zine Fair at Power House Arts, organized by Neta Bomani and Mariame Kaba. This was my second time being hired by Sojourners for Justice. I am so grateful that these commissions showed up during particularly lean times, keeping me surviving. My first commission with them was two years ago for a poster of Rose Butler that I turned into an emblem, an altar of joy to release Rose’s spirit from the bonds of trauma.
When given the subject of Rose Butler for my poster design, I felt a calling in my bones. A thrumming in my organs. It’s as if my nervous system sprung to the surface of my skin to reach out. To touch her. Hold space for her. Tell her she is free. She can move on. As an artist and a spiritual practitioner, I reached out to Rose Butler, and this is what I heard.
“Release the memory of the tragedy that bound her to earth. If you do not know it, that’s okay. Know her only as Rose, as an ancestor of limitless expanse. She no longer wants to be a talking point in the legal system. No longer a martyr of fire. She wants to move on. Can you support her? Can you look at this poster and relish only in her unwavering momentum? Breathe freedom into the living altar of her memory. Let’s imagine her moving on. Let’s speak no more of the horrors that keep her tied to this reality. Light a candle and imagine her singing, sighing, out-stretching toward infinity. Warm and free. She is that light! Beautiful and striking. She does not need reigns or saddle to control the bestial angel she rides. It is not tame, yet it heeds her call alone. It’s taking her home.”
And then the Black Zine Fair itself! It was one of the most beautiful events I have ever been to! I was the MC for the day, as I have the freakish ability of not being bothered by speaking publicly. I also worked the floor, making sure all of the incredible vendors had their needs met. Neta and Mariame took extra care to ensure every volunteer had food! If you vend like I do, you know that vending days often mean not eating and maybe even not drinking for hours if you’re really stressed. Care was the breath of this event.
What’s beautiful about zines is that they are a direct manifestation of anarchic principles—the expansive and accessible dissemination of knowledge, emotions, and resources. It’s decentralized power humming, harmonizing. Though money was exchanged, commerce was not at the center.
Sad you missed this event? A Mini Black Zine Fair is coming up on June 15th! I was delighted to create this poster, too!
Above is a short video of the shimmering, metallic graphite of my sphinx drawing.
While I won’t be able to attend the Mini Black Zine Fair, I hope any of y’all in and around Brooklyn will go! It’s dreamy. I am so grateful to collaborate with Sojourners for Justice again and again. Y’all bring me such astonishing hope.
Do you want to hire me for illustrations? Email: hello@malachilily.com
Check out my other work at www.malachilily.com
Pride Market Mayhem
If you know me, you’ll know I’ve never been to “Pride.” It’s not for me. I don’t like parades *tense, nervous grimace* I will dance and be gay every other ding dang day/month. But I will be at Pride this year selling my wares! If you are like me and do not want to be in the rainbow swarm…
Shop my new gay-ass clothing line now! Snatch things up before the people at the markets do!!! I'll make even more over the coming days/weeks to the best of my ability. But once something is gone, it’s gone! Don’t wait.
I’ve got clothes for
Holy dykes
Girls who’ve experienced metamorphosis
Fags that lean dykey
Bondage Fairies
Okay Kaya fans!
Dykes that lean faggie
Sea Elves???
And more!
Book a Personal Tarot Reading!
YES, I give you extensive Tarot readings almost every month.
And I’ve now hit 10 paid subscribers, so heyyyyy friends! Group tarot readings for Paid subscribers only are on the way! If you want a consistent custom-tailored reading, hit that paid subscription! Only $5 a month ;)
AND YES! I now provide one-on-one Tarot readings!
Sliding scale for both free and paid subscribers, BUT:
Free subscribers get a maximum of 30-minute readings.
Paid subscribers get a maximum of 1-hour readings for the same price!
Sliding scale $40-140 for the readings
To book your appointment, fill out Calendly.
Use this link if you are a free subscriber.
Use this link if you are a paid subscriber.
Then send $20 to themagickartist on Venmo as a down payment for your appointment. Don’t have Venmo? Please email me: hello@malachilily.com
(Appointments will deleted if a deposit is not paid within 24 hours of booking. $20 is nonrefundable)
The rest of the fee will be pay-what-you-wish at the end.
Here’s a lovely review from Temi about the reading I did for them:
(Temi is also an incredible writer, designer, and artist! Buy their zine Glorious Blasphemy!)
Malachi’s tarot reading was welcoming, nurturing, and exactly what I needed to hear! They provided a calming and easeful space to deliver my messages. The reading affirmed me and helped me feel more intricately connected with my path. It even provided me with direct affirmations from my spirit guides and ancestors, which was so endlessly helpful!! I would highly recommend Malachi’s readings!
May you delight in the expansiveness of your word, mind, and expression and share abundantly!
we thank you!
we thank you!
we thank you!
In Love & Abundance,
Malachi Lily
they/them
Happy Tropical Gemini Season! Get into some good gossip for community care!
❤️