A magazine for teen writers—by teen writers. Under the Madness brings together student editors under the mentorship of the New Hampshire Poet Laureate (Alexandria Peary, serving from 2019-2024) to focus on the experiences of teens from around the world. We accept submissions in poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction from writers ages 13-19. We invite you to express yourself about what you’ve experienced as a teen under the madness of life as a young adult from your spot on planet Earth. The madness, the emotions, the passion, the questions and the discoveries, converted into creative writing! Whether you live in Berlin, NH, or Berlin, Germany—whether you wake up every day in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North or South America—we’re interested in reading you!
Under the Madness is here to shine a spotlight on young writers from all backgrounds as they begin or continue their journey into the world of writing and publishing. We welcome submissions from teens who’ve never published as well as experienced teen writers. We sponsor contests, readings, a blog, and virtual Submit-a-thons as part of our creative mission. Special issues of the magazine are devoted to teen writers from a single nation or region, with Brazil, Ukraine, and India featured in Issues 3 through 5, and more countries already on our editorial line-up.
Under the Madness is made possible with the support of the Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Salem State University, Arts Alive, and the Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship Program. The magazine began as an off-shoot of the 2021 North Country Young Writers’ Festival. An editorial board composed mostly of teens from across New Hampshire works closely with the state poet laureate to design and manage the magazine.
Recent Media Coverage includes The Boston Globe, Littleton Courier, Hippo, and New Pages.
