We were lucky to catch up with Allyson Nichols recently and have shared our conversation below.

Allyson, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

An idea that sparked from a conversation with one of my closest friends, Persephone Literary Magazine was a concept I immediately attached myself to and brought to life in a matter of two weeks.

Named after the Greek goddess of spring and queen of the Underworld, I wanted to create a publication exploring the light and dark of the human condition. As someone who has always turned to poetry in her highest and lowest moments, it was important to me to bring together diverse writers and photographers who sought to express their thoughts and experiences through their craft—whether it be a short story, poem, or photography narrative.

It’s so beautiful to receive submissions conveying so many different topics, including love, grief, heartbreak, self-love, mental health, and so much more. My favorite part about this is being able to get to know creatives from a variety of backgrounds who genuinely trust me and the publication with pieces of themselves.

Allyson, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have been writing almost as long as I have been breathing. It’s something that has always been part of my path, whether it was writing “gossip columns” about my classmates with my childhood best friend, Courtney, weaving together fiction stories about vampire boyfriends (thank you for giving my 13-year-old self that idea, Twilight), expressing my innermost thoughts and feelings through poetry, or journaling about my day and plans for the future.

Through school, I thrived in all of my English classes. I took college prep English throughout middle and high school, eventually moving on to begin my college education at Kent State University, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Journalism with a specialization in magazines and a minor in creative writing.

I can’t see a life for myself without it, and I believe that passion is what led me to create Persephone Literary, where so many creatives like me are able to submit pieces of their craft that others may be able to relate to. I want my contributors to look at the publication and feel that level of excitement I always feel when I know I’ve created something really good. I’m already so proud of the writers and photographers who shared their work for our inaugural double issue.

I want my readers to view pieces in the magazine that help them feel not so alone in the world because, let’s face it, it can be really hard sometimes to be human, but there are also moments that are so beautiful, and I also want readers who are experiencing those moments of “light” to relate to the pieces conveying that just as much. No matter the stage of life they’re in, I hope that they can sit down and find something that brings them comfort.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

It’s a tough world out there for creatives, especially smaller artists, publications, and writers. I believe the best way society can support these amazing individuals is by showing up for them. This can be through purchasing their work, making donations, sharing their social media posts, and spreading the word about them. Tell others about their work and encourage them to support these talented creatives in any way they can.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the beauty of it all. When you’re a creative, you’re taking all of life’s ups and downs and utilizing your skills to create something beautiful out of them while still expressing your deepest thoughts, feelings, and ideas. I’ve had so many moments where a simple line just sparked in my head and expanded into a full poem in a matter of minutes that I can’t seem to stop reading.

It can be a very surreal moment when you look at your work and just think, “Wow, that came from me.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://persephoneliterary.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/persephoneliterarymagazine/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Persephone-Literary-Magazine/61558868618479/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allyson-nichols-6b2515185/

Image Credits

Main Photo – Angela Fach Photography

Black and White Photo w Disco Ball & Heart-Shaped Sunglasses – Vanquera Kay Marketing