In 2024, how do we want to redefine the role of writing in our lives? According to co-hosts Kate and Emma, “I write, therefore I think, therefore I am”—as in, writing is the most fundamental catalyst and medium of new thoughts, ideas, and interpretations of the world. Join them as they explore writing as a mindset (a philosophy for directing attention and intention), set new year's resolutions (it's never too late!), and chat about how writing has evolved to intersect with other newfound...

Join Daniel and Sunny as they explore their friendship in the teen writing community—from their friendship origin story to being founders and Editors-in-Chief of teen writing magazines to meeting writers as people after reading their works intimately. Navigating the constellations of online competition, college matriculation, plagiarism, and gaining confidence in their work,  Daniel and Sunny have a heart-to-heart about the joys and intricacies of growing together as teen writers.  Daniel...

Join poet, editor, and translator Poupeh Missaghi as well as Ad Aster hosts Emma and Celina to reflect on her work. We discuss Missaghi’s book trans(re)lating house one, what it means to be a writer and reporter during times of violence and crisis, and how to subvert traditional narratives of backwardness and victimhood with aesthetics, form, and emphasis of questions over answers. ad as•ter ep•i•sode 23/ˌad ˈa-str ep ˌ-sōd 'twen-ty /ˈθri / /n. / What is the role of the writer or...

In part 2 of our series on writing competitions, Emma, Ari, and Daisy talk about how to find competitions and opportunities, submitting strategies, and introduce some international writing competitions in poetry, short stories, and more, with input from guest Anna Feng on her own experience winning a Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award.  In addition to the international contests mentioned in the episode, we’ve compiled a list of many others for you to explore! The link to that list is here....

Join Emma and Daisy as they explore the application process for upcoming (U.S. based*) writing competitions! Listen to first hand advice and experiences from Bennington, YoungArts, and Scholastic Winners ad as•ter ep•i•sode 22 /ˌad ˈa-str ep ˌ-sōd 'twen-ty /to͞o/ /n. Mosaic of tips and reflections from past Bennington Young Writers Awards, YoungArts, and Scholastic winners Joanna - Meaningful form (hermit poems!) (as a reformed STEM + Elon Musk stan) Emily - “Someone should be...

Join Editor in Chief Emma Zhang and Managing Editor Celina Naheed as we discuss our literary magazine theme for fall 2023: Lacuna.   Originating from the latin etymon Lacus, meaning “lake,” the word Lacuna is defined as an unfilled interval, or gap; as in, a gap filled with water, like the ones in history, or like our perception of the world, translation, black-out poetry, the editing process, and the diaspora experience.  What does lacuna mean to you? Submit your own exploration to our...

Join Emma and Fiona as we talk to Lucy Zhang about hybrid writing, growing tech implications for the literary arts (or the lack thereof), self-teaching writing from works we admire, and how to have creative freedom in a competitive world and economy. ad as•ter ep•i•sode 20 n. An interview with the incredible Lucy Zhang Hybrid form (aka the undoing of form), writing + technology meditations: the authors joy of expression Writing in a competitive/tech cooperate culture "Great...

In this interview with the incredible poet & translator Sean Zhuraw, we discuss Zhuraw’s experience translating The Starchild and The Starlit Path by German poet Theodor Däubler. We explore linguistic, cross-cultural, and generational identities and connections, especially as they are enriched or represented through translated literature. We also examine experience vs. expression and ways in which we all translate!

Ariana Thornton is a teen poet, artist, and environmental activist whose many awards include being recognized as the poetry theme winner for Issue 5 of Aster Lit! Today we chat with Ariana about her journey as a storyteller, how she self-published her chapbook Creation Stories while in high school, and her advice to young writers wanting to get their work published and shared with a wider audience.

Do we write to remember or do we remember in order to write? To what extent do we change our memories to write better stories? How does writing filter and dictate what matters enough to be remembered? Join Zara and Emma for an episode of reminiscence and existential musings as we explore the relationship between writing and memory, inspired by our Fall 2022 theme: remembrance.

Join Liz and Caroline as they traverse a conversational journey that transcends space (Caroline is currently in Oregon and Liz is IN NYC, which are sadly not within driving distance), and the titular topic (Time); coming of age during the pandemic and beyond, the time-bending nature of love, and our favorite literature on time. If you’re a fan of heart-wrenching New Yorker poems,  hopeful romantics, or passionate rants about the non-linear progression of time aka Jeremy Bearimy (shout out to...

Hi Asterisks! We hope that you're all doing well! In this episode, Maddy, Abby, and Emma discussed their experiences on the teen writing world and reflected on some lessons they've learned. Whether you're just beginning to enter competitions and programs or a veteran of the teen writing community, this episode will definitely have something you relate to. 

If you ever want to have an incredible conversation about having incredible conversations, Sophie Beren is your girl! She is the founder and CEO of The Conversationalist, a multimedia digital platform empowering 15,000+ Gen Z leaders to break out of their echo chambers, have difficult conversations, and unify together. Through The Conversationalist's Gen Z Talk Show, "POVz"; their digital network on the Geneva app; and their text line, Sophie is helping unifying diverse young people from...

Hello Asterisks, long time no see! We hope you've had a great 2022 so far. In this episode, Caroline, Hesandi, and Maddy shared their New Year's Resolutions and plans they hope to accomplish in the new year. Join us as we discuss how to balance all of your goals (and provide some tips for your resolutions too!) 

Hi Asterisks, and welcome back to the 11th episode of Ad Aster! Today, Maddy and Liz discussed productivity and writing, fall, English classes, and college applications (dun dun dun!!) Join us as we discuss how to avoid writer's block and burnout or if you want some tips to remain engaged and in love with writing. 

Hey Asterisks, and welcome back to Ad Aster's tenth episode! Today, Maddy and Liz were joined by Binaka Norris, the Director of Marketing for Diversify Our Narrative, an organization seeking to increase anti-racism curricula and representation in schools. Join us as we chat about all things diversity and inclusion (as well as some #PublixLove). As we turn our lens onto the youth writing community, learn what YOU can do to help this next generation have the most diverse media yet. We had an...

In this podcast, hosts Maddy, Liz, and Celine discuss how the current teenage writing community fixates on negative emotions and offer solutions to solve this problem and find more inspiration in positivity. Whether you're a writer yourself or not, this discussion is more relevant than ever, especially as media can seem more focused on sadness and negativity. 

Christina Li is a young writer from Canada and the inaugural winner of Aster Lit's Starlit Award in Prose. Her winning story, "Always Human," can be read in Issue 1 (Spring 2021) of Aster Lit at https://www.asterlit.org/spring2021. Today we chat with her about the inspiration behind her writing, her experience as a member of the Aster Lit community, and her favorite books. We hope you find this interview enjoyable and insightful, particularly as you consider submitting your prose or poetry to...

Hello Asterisks, and welcome to our seventh episode! Join us as we discuss the drawbacks of competition in many facets of our lives and our tips for surviving and thriving in this culture. If you're a young writer, teenager, or person in general, you'll find yourself relating to at least one of the topics we discuss here. Join hosts Maddy, Hesandi, Zoe, and Liz as they conquer competition and show you how you can too!

Behold: our glorious interview with the one, the only, Rhiannon McGavin! The 2016 Los Angeles Youth Poet Laureate and National YoungArts Finalist in Spoken Word, Rhiannon is an internationally-acclaimed poet and author who’s graced venues such as the Teen Vogue Summit, NBC News, Button Poetry, The NAACP Awards, and the LA Times Festival of Books. Join Liz, Zoe, and Hesandi as Rhiannon shares her most memorable spoken word experiences, her advice for aspiring writers, and a poem from her...

hello Asterisks, we hope you had a great holiday and are enjoying 2021 so far! Close out the holiday season by joining hosts Maddy, Liz, David, and awesome guest Nithya as they share their favorite holiday memories, traditions, and some epic song recommendations!

Hey Asterisks, it’s been a while! We’re so excited to share Part 2 of our "Litany of Self-Care Lessons" series (alliteration ftw!). If you're a young writer, high school/college student, or general human being who is struggling to find motivation during the pandemic -- never fear, Ad Aster is here! In this episode, you'll learn our top 10 self-care tips to improve your mental health, productivity, and overall happiness during COVID-19 and beyond. Join hosts Maddy, Nafira, and Caroline as they...

Welcome to Ad Aster’s third episode, and join as we discuss the importance of self-care not only as writers, but as youth living in these strange and usual times. This week we welcome our first guest Meera Dasgupta, the U.S National Youth Poet Laureate! As an avid spoken word artist and the youngest/first Asian-American National Youth Poet Laureate, Meera’s performances have been featured by PBS, Apple, the Apollo, the United State of Young Women, and many more. Listen to us interview Meera...

Join your hosts Celine, Hesandi, Caroline, and Liz as we discuss our unique experiences with culture as both minorities and majorities in our respective countries! Topics range from the importance of cultural representation in media and literary curriculum, to how culture impacts our writing, to how you can build your own cultural awareness and competence.  Be sure to check out Liz and Caroline's organizations!  Bridge to Literacy --> Instagram: @bridgetoliteracy | Website:...