Untitled launches second issue of journal for under-represented writers

Under-represented writers’ platform Untitled has launched the second full issue of its global online journal Untitled: Voices, featuring work from 53 emerging writers from around the world.

The collection includes a mixture of poetry, short stories, flash fiction and more. Writers involved come from around the world including the UK, Ireland, the US, France, the Netherlands, Jamaica, Philippines and Malaysia. The journal can be downloaded for free.

Co-founder Nicola Lampard said: “We knew as soon as we’d published the first issue of Untitled: Voices earlier in the year that we wanted to get on with another as soon as possible. We have been so touched by so many writers around the world trusting us to read their work. We loved so much of what we read, and it was a tough selection, but we hope everyone enjoys reading the issue.”

Untitled was founded in 2019 by Ollie Charles and Lampard, holding salons to amplify under-represented writers including those from social-economically marginalised backgrounds, LGBTQ+ writers, black writers, Asian writers and those from minority ethnic communities, working-class writers and those working with disabilities.

Following the lockdown, the platform moved online where it has held a number of events, its first festival and launched its journal. It also co-produced a recent live queer poetry event in London, BOLD.

Charles said: “The pandemic forced us to reconsider what Untitled could do for writers, how it could do it and where. It meant we needed to rely on social media more than ever to reach out to the writing community and hear the stories they were writing, the stories that needed to be heard.

“We are so pleased that so many writers throughout the year have engaged with us in various ways across our activities, and we look forward to finding ways to working with even more under-represented writers in 2021. We are exploring ways that we can apply for funding as we approach our second birthday and continue to collaborate with fantastic organisations that have a similar mission to us.”