Everything You Need to Know About Bright Lite's Fear Issue
Have you ever wanted to see your name in the pages of a magazine? Bright Lite, a zine by and for adolescents, makes it possible.
Featuring poetry, art, recipes, comics and more, all of the content is generated by Gen Z, aka, you. Everyone deserves to have their voice heard, and Bright Lite is the premium spot to do so. Featuring Grace Vanderwaal, Akira Akbar, Tanvi Khot and Ariana Sokolov, the stories are raw and the messages are relatable.
So, what exactly is Bright Lite? We spoke with co-founder, Ami Komai, all about the current "Fear" issue. Here's what she had to say:
Sweety High: What is Bright Lite?
Ami Komai: Bright Lite is a collective journal for young girls everywhere—a place where they can honestly share their thoughts, ideas and experiences, without feeling judged or insecure.
SH: What initially inspired the 'Fear' issue?
AK: Fear is something that still continues to be relevant in my life as an adult, but looking back, I wish I was more aware of fear as an adolescent. I think most adults feel that way. When you start reflecting, you quickly realize it's just one of those things that affects almost every aspect of your life.
SH: What do you hope to accomplish with the 'Fear' issue?
AK: I hope to start a dialogue and create more awareness of fear. By sharing these stories, I hope that young people everywhere can see that we're all afraid of the same things—the fear of not being good enough, rejection, disappointing, being alone, not being smart enough, the list goes on. By sharing our fears and seeing that we all have them, maybe we can start to move past them, or at least feel not as alone, which is good enough for me.
SH: Do you have a favorite story, poem or drawing from this issue?
AK: All the personal photos, essays, drawings, comics, letters, stories and journal entries mean so much to me. This issue features everything from "Encountering Fear," a fictitious short story, to, "If Neil Patrick Harris Can Die, I Can Too," about thanatophobia, to "Queer Fear," an anonymous coming out story—it's impossible for me to pick a favorite.
SH: Who's featured in the 'Fear' issue?
AK: Our cover girl for Volume 009 is Alyssa Carson. At just 18-years-old, she's the world's youngest astronaut-in-training, and is the only person to have completed the NASA Passport program. She's projected to be one of the first people to travel to Mars.
SH: Who are you most proud of featuring so far?
AK: Alyssa is definitely up there, but we've featured so many amazing people it's impossible for me to list them. Every issue is full of people I'm so proud to share with our readers. This issue has interviews from Alexandria Villaseñor, the 14-year-old climate change activist that recently made headlines at the U.N. Youth Climate Summit, as well as Grace Vanderwaal, Akira Akbar, Tanvi Khot, Ariana Sokolov, Amber Kelley—the list goes on.
SH: What's the theme of the next issue?
AK: The next issue is going to be all about reality. We've just started taking submissions (HERE) and can't wait to see what everyone comes up with! We're looking for photos, essays, recipes, drawings, comics and poems having to do with facts, perspective, truth, adventure, dreams, realism vs. fantasy, online persona, avatar, my reality and so on.
SH: Where can Bright Lite be purchased?
AK: We are available at Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Urban Outfitters, over 70 independent bookstores nationwide and online on our website.
SH: Where can we follow Bright Lite?
AK: You can follow us on Instagram and subscribe on our site.
Feeling motivated? Look HERE for a list of YouTubers who never cease to inspire us.
