"There is Laughter Because There is Nothing to Laugh at.*" A Chat With Sara Clugage & Rebecca Ariel Porte, Editors of Dilettante Army

Editors of nonfiction & poetry magazine take us into the world of their journal

Another interview is complete!

Today, friends, I chatted with Sara Clugage and Rebecca Ariel Porte, Editors of Dilettante Army. This is an online magazine “for critique, feminism, visual culture, and writing that expands boundaries.”

The journal publishes critical essays with a leftist bent. Natural comparisons come to mind—Dissent, Jacobin, n+1. However, Dilettante Army favors work that is cross-disciplinary, not heavily academic, and which may be rooted in personal experience.

Also, they are playful and fun. A current piece in their latest issue is an interactive quiz dedicated to the stunts of various political leaders over the past decades. The accompanying artwork on all the pieces is also notable.

In this conversation, Sara, Rebecca and I talk about the importance of humor in approaching politically heavy issues. We also talk about how their magazine is not afraid to poke fun at the powerful, on the political left and right alike.

I was curious about their take on The VIDA Count, which made a big splash when it first came out in 2010. This led to a conversation about representation, tokenism and the importance of diverse perspectives across the publishing landscape.

Sara and Rebecca bring experience in Critical Theory, Literary Theory and Feminism to their project, while keeping it fairly light-hearted. This magazine will resonate with readers who aren’t looking for the latest hot takes on particular issues, but appreciate “the slow boat” of simmering ideas, with cross-disciplinary inspiration.

Dilettante Army is open for submissions now, until December 7th. Their current theme is inspired by Marx’s opening to The Communist Manifesto: “A Specter is Haunting.” After that, submissions will re-open in the spring. The magazine is published quarterly. All submissions are free. Writers are paid $500 per contribution.

Thank you to everyone who came out to join the conversation today. I love seeing old and new faces!

And thanks so much to Sara and Rebecca for taking the time to lift the lid on another lovely little magazine.

Happy viewing!

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Please note: There has been a time change for my interview with Joe Ponepinto, Editor of Orca. This will now take place this Friday, December 3rd at 11:30 am est. Click here to learn more and register.

* “There is laughter because there is nothing to laugh at” is a quote from Theodor Adorno.