“S&C represents art in all its forms— through its beginnings, middles, and ends. I found myself stumped throughout the majority of the pandemic because I had no creative outlet and I couldn’t figure out how to get my passion back, especially when it was so daunting to get a foot in the literary world. What I came to recognize was that my work doesn’t have to be perfect or finished, so long as I am creating something that I am passionate about. Art can exist in many states—and they are often liminal. I think there is beauty in that. This zine is a space for process and experimentation and will always be a learning experience. It has been a true privilege being surrounded by everyone’s work and trust through this process.”— Salt & Citrus founder, Ciara GordonWhat is Salt & Citrus Zine?
S&C is a bimonthly free online zine that invites you to submit your work in whatever state it exists in. One thing I have realized during the pandemic is that we are all constantly changing and growing, and so is our work. Pieces in progress speak for themselves and you can often find meaning in the journey of your experimentation, not just the ending.
I founded the zine in February of 2021 after realizing that it was getting harder to find and explore creative spaces and artwork during Covid19. Cut off from the usual tangible experiences of creativity, surrounded by feelings of despair and lack of inspiration worldwide, S&C became an amalgamation of people’s passions that can be with you wherever you go and whenever you need it.
While more and more publications are focusing on inclusivity and accessibility in the publishing industry, I found they were getting increasingly harder to find during COVID19 and its restrictions. Each attempt to immerse myself was incredibly intimidating and confusing. A lot of these amazing literary magazines also require a cost to submit as that is how they keep themselves in print. While this is a great form of community building and community funding, I found this hard when I wasn’t working and wanted to submit to multiple places when money was short. I realized I needed to curate a space that was free of cost and free to be whatever you want in the moment. S&C zine is a space to create, distribute, and connect creatives with the goal of making publishing less overwhelming and giving everyone a zone to be creative and experiment in these times that can be so isolating. And as we grow and things become less solitary, the zine will function as a place to learn for both emerging and experienced artists; a place to try new things.
I cannot wait to see what the future holds.