MAKE magazine celebrates and challenges the concept of a literary magazine as a finished product by placing every piece of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and interview that we publish within a wider dialogue that continues outside its pages, across artistic disciplines and languages. The fact that even our most polished work continues evolving once it has reached a living audience, that no work of art or literature can ever exist as complete in isolation, is a fluidity we embrace through a variety of additional online content as well as events designed to erode cultural divisions while championing distinct identities. At its core, our editorial vision seeks to expand the discussion of what it means to make something new from a reality that may look all too familiar, even tired, on the surface. The theme of each issue likewise invites readers to consider concepts we all live with, such as rituals or borders, and reinterpret them in light of the magazine’s content and through follow-up events and readings.
Over the past 13 years, the growth of the magazine has reflected our willingness to interrogate the creative process, to play with the very idea of making art and literature to begin with. Since its inception in 2004, when MAKE was founded to give voice to the unique character of Chicago’s neighborhoods, the magazine has grown from a 50-page saddle-stitched publication into a perfect-bound book numbering more than 100 pages. From our very first issue, however, our design and inclusion of portfolios of visual art has spoken to our love of bold, experimental work. Our publication values the intersections of literature, visual art, and design, making each issue of MAKE an art object that serves to amplify its contents and its creators. Throughout this time, we have not only released 17 beautiful issues but have produced scores of public discussions and cultural events, created a robust website, and founded the international Lit & Luz Festival of Language, Literature, and Art, which takes place every year in Chicago and Mexico City. In 2009, MAKE magazine officially became the literary arts nonprofit MAKE Literary Productions, allowing us to commit ourselves even further to broadening the discussion between our audience and contributors.
Grab MAKE 18 “Mad Science” in the shop today!