Cristina Afonso’s piece gently explores the feelings of nostalgia and change that come with moving away from home. Through small, familiar moments—like late-night chats in a McDonald’s parking lot—she reflects on how leaving can shape who we become.

Kennedy Smith unpacks the rising disillusionment with dating apps among Millennials and Gen Z. Drawing from personal experience, survey data, and expert commentary, she explores the emotional toll of digital dating, the erosion of real-life social spaces, and the loneliness exacerbated by a lack of accessible Third Places.

In this engaging interview conducted by Femmage Zine contributor Loviisa Pasternak, bestselling author Colleen Cambridge discusses A Fashionably French Murder, the third book in her An American in Paris mystery series. From postwar Parisian fashion to writing Julia Child into a murder plot, Cambridge shares research insights, favorite scenes, and a hint of what’s to come in book four. Stay tuned for part two, where she dives into her writing process and publishing experience.

A tender meditation on queerness, solitude, and self-love.

In their deeply personal and powerfully reflective essay, Summer Smith explores their journey of self-diagnosing as autistic, recounting formative experiences of social isolation, sensory sensitivity, and the exhausting need to mask in neurotypical spaces. Drawing from personal anecdotes, psychological assessments, and cultural critique, the piece challenges widespread misconceptions about autism—particularly the stigma around self-diagnosis and the ableist foundations of functioning labels.

From a viral Ellen moment to becoming one of R&B’s most compelling new voices, Brivon is an artist who moves with intention. Raised in Alaska and now rooted in the DMV, she brings a layered perspective to everything she touches—queerness, Black womanhood, sensuality, self-discovery. With the release of her new single “And I”, Brivon steps further into her power, offering up a sultry, emotionally charged track that’s as much about reclaiming confidence as it is about intimacy. We sat down with her to talk about the creative process behind the single, her journey so far, and what it means to make music that feels like home—for herself and for the communities she represents.

A Spoiler-Free Review of the An American in Paris series by Colleen Cambridge!

In response to global injustice, from state violence in Palestine and Ukraine to economic collapse and corporate greed, Małgorzata Rumińska channels frustration and helplessness into ceramics. This series of rebellious ceramic wall plates reimagines decorative art as protest.

“Girlhood’ is a continuing project by Lauren Mae all about representing the highs and lows of growing up female through shared stories and experiences. 

A visual and creative representation of being in your 20s in the corporate world— trying to live up to the overwhelming expectations and fighting the ever-nagging feeling that your time could be better spent elsewhere.

A visual and conceptual exploration of self-perception, vanity, and identity by Bella Monty.

This essay by Zaiya Osach explores how emotional labor, gendered expectations, and a suspiciously crusty peanut butter spoon led her to question the feasibility of heterosexual relationships—and ultimately find clarity in queerness.

“I’m a photographer, designer, and creative - she’s my muse. I capture her, and sometimes, she captures me. “

A semi-satirical digital collage journal encapsulating the 'sex and the city'-esque romanticisation of being a single young woman in a new city, by Olive Sinclair.

Forest Knight reflects on their time working at a nature camp in rural Ohio, where they discovered both the beauty and challenges of outdoor education in a deeply flawed, sexist, and toxic work environment. Despite the personal and professional toll it took, they learned invaluable lessons about leadership, advocacy, and the importance of creating workspaces that support rather than drain you.

A personal essay about what winter has meant to our contributor, Summer Smith, up until recently, what the coming of spring means, and letting the cool in-between be a soothing transition.

“I grew up in a fundamentalist Christian cult, surrounded by stories that defined who I was allowed to be. Bible parables, fairytales, and cartoons all reinforced the same message—obedience, sacrifice, and a love that demanded suffering. My work now is about breaking those narratives apart.”

This literary journalistic piece by Maggie Herrera delves into the first-hand account of a local queer bar and drag show venue based in Savannah, Georgia in the midst of drag show bans being announced across the United States in the Spring of 2023.

Cristina Afonso reflects on the deeply intricate and universal nature of mother-daughter relationships through the lens of powerful films and literature. Inspired by Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird, it explores themes of identity, independence, and the tension between love and resentment.

“Every individual has their own personal relationship with their hair. In my instance, it took a very long time for me to understand my hair. Even to this day, I still fight with it as if it were its own living entity.”