Issue Four is a culmination of the phenomenal literary work of teens across the globe, as well as the dedication of our editorial team. We are proud to present not only Issue Four, but the winners and finalists of our National Poetry Month Contest, which received nearly four hundred submissions. Congratulations to the 1st place winner, Clarisse Kim, 2nd place winner, Seoyon Kim, and 3rd place winner Maithreyi Bharathi!
Additionally, we have the pleasure of presenting a half-issue containing the work of Ukrainian teens. This exceptional opportunity was made possible by Halyna Tkachuk—our contact in Ukraine who connected our magazine with Ukrainian teen writers. This unique issue would not have been possible without her help, and we are immensely grateful for her work. Beyond her collaboration with Under the Madness, Halyna is a highly accomplished author and editor.
Author of 15 books for children and teenagers, Halyna studied comparative literature at the National University Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and graduated in 2010. Her children’s books have won numerous awards in Ukraine, including the BBC Children’s Book of the Year 2016. Halyna is the editor and translator of children’s books, a creative writing teacher for children and teenagers in various creative projects, and the manager of a reading club at the Shevchenko Central Library for kids in Kyiv.
Halyna says: “Since February 24, 2022, I have been working regularly with children and teenagers who love writing and find in this activity a resource and support, an opportunity to relax and their important task.
I did this before the full-scale war, and I hope to do it after the victory. The works of children and teenagers I teach were published in Ukraine. However, this is the first time I have helped Ukrainian young authors with international publication, and I am very happy about it."
Halyna continues: "Now it is very unusual for young Ukrainian writers to write in English. But I believe that this literary generation will be widely known in the world. Already, unfortunately, they have a dramatic and sometimes tragic life experience that needs to be described and comprehended through writing. But besides, this new generation is already developing their unique voices and individual visions of social reality. I believe that the voices of the youngest Ukrainian writers at the right moment will help to set aright the disturbed balance of our world.”
We hope you, as readers, are able to see these incredible teens finding solace and expression in the midst of a world engulfed by chaos and madness. It is our mission to create a space where young adults use their writing to ignite change and speak their truth, and all the submissions in this issue have gone above and beyond in this way.
It has been a wonderful experience as managing editors to collaborate and organize such a widespread variety of teen writing, and promote growth in the teen literary world. Every single author who submits to Under the Madness has the heartfelt gratitude of our entire editorial team—you are ultimately the building blocks of our magazine.
We're starting something new for this Issue: Letters from Readers. We'd like to hear from you! Tell us what you think about one of the pieces you've read in Issue 4. What moved you about a poem, story, or piece of creative nonfiction in this issue? Or what did you admire about how the piece was written? For info on how to send us your letter, see the "Contest/Events" tab.
Under the Madness Magazine has a few organizations to thank for helping make Issue 4 possible. The editorial team is grateful for the support of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and the Tillotson's Fund, Salem State University, Arts Alive!, and Quills and Keyboard.
Rebecca Colby and Sophie-Rose Riopel, Managing Editors
