Weird Lit Mag’s mission goes beyond showcasing weird fiction. We also aim to build community. This is not a new concept—the aspiration is spoken about so often, in fact, that the notion tends to lose its veracity. So, how do we build community? Why do we think it’s important? And how do weird communities serve writers, readers, and other members?
Community Building
Supporting connections between people who share a common interest or need builds community. The formation of a community requires authenticity, empathy, and trust. There we find the opportunity to address shared concerns, lower barriers to knowledge and resources, and enrich individual and collective experiences.
Why Weird Community?
If you’re one to fly your freak flag freely, the importance of weird communities may be obvious. For those yet to fully embrace their weird selves, defining weird might be a good start. Rooted in Old English and having once conveyed the concept of “fate,” the word found its way into Shakespearean works, wherein The Bard reinterpreted its meaning to describe something as being of strange or extraordinary character. Weird can also be defined as relating to, or caused by witchcraft or the supernatural.
Communing with the weird can help us think beyond polarized ideas—beyond the status quo and mainstream society’s limited view. In a time of absolutist thinking, exploring the strange and unusual can provide us with respite from constrictive circumstances and teach us new ways of perceiving reality. And pursuing expansive experiences with others in a community can bring us a sense of belonging.
Many who have lived in the counterculture, or on its fringes, know that authenticity is an important benefit of building and engaging with weird communities. Being true to oneself despite social pressures is an effective method for dealing with existential dread and other human conditions, no matter the state of society.
Finding Weird Community
You’re in one right now! By reading Weird Lit Mag’s blog, you’re engaging in a burgeoning community built for weirdos, by weirdos. Great start!
Beyond the digital pages of this humble lit mag, there are myriad weird communities out there just waiting to welcome you. On- and offline groups of divergent thinkers, disruptors, and creators search for members like you and are often advertising the need. If you look with intention, you’ll find they’re everywhere.
To find a weird community that best suits you, think about what makes you weird. What are you shamelessly passionate about? What interests or ideas do you hold that others have found unusual? Embrace what makes you weird and seek out those who share and appreciate these peculiarities.
If you’d like to become more involved in the Weird Lit Mag community, please consider signing up for our newsletter, and connect with us on social media! Read our contributors’ stories and learn more about the authors. While you’re at it, take a stab at your own weird creative outlets. The world is waiting to experience your weirdness. And so are we.