Worms magazine turns over a new leaf
Last week I spoke with Clem MacLeod, Caitlin McLoughlin, and P Eldridge about Worms magazine, the title that’s dedicated to exploring the underground and surfacing the best writing, bringing it up, “to the literary topsoil”. In many ways the current issue is a continuation of what Worms has been doing since Clem started it as a university project in 2019, publishing interviews with writers in its unfussy, zine-inspired, riso-printed pages.
But this is also a transitional moment for the magazine, which has expanded its focus, from women and non-binary people, to encompass all underrepresented voices, regardless of gender. It also marks a structural change, with Clem, “wriggling across”, to become editor-in-chief, while Caitlin steps up to be editor and P becomes managing editor, all three of them working together in a non-hierarchical framework that reflects the aims and interests of the magazine.
As they say in our conversation, the aim of Worms magazine has always been to avoid binaries and simplistic definitions, and it was really interesting hearing how the changes they have made enable them to continue on that mission. They also go into detail about the creation of their community interest company, and more importantly, the projects they’re now able to take on. It was lovely speaking with them and really inspiring too, so I hope you’ll enjoy this conversation with Clem, Caitlin and P from Worms.
If you’d like to hear more conversations with independent magazine makers, please take a browse through our podcast archives. And of course if you follow Stack Magazines wherever you get your podcasts we’ll be able to keep on delivering our new episodes to you as soon as they’re ready.
