

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sophia Apodaca.
Sophia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
There has always been a big part of me that has wanted to make a positive impact on the world. When I began my studies at Cal State Northridge (CSUN), I was introduced into the world of creative writing. I found the writing community at CSUN was made up of a group of individuals who have a similar goal as mine, they want to help heal the wounds of the world through art: poetry, fiction, nonfiction, art. It may be cliche, and I am not a big fan of cliches, but I am compelled to say that poetry found me. It found me during a time in my life when I didn’t realize I needed it. It hasn’t let go of me since. I’ve seen how art is capable of moving the world, even when it’s at its most stubborn. I want to be able to connect others through art, spread positivity and hope to anyone that may need it. That is why I started Kind Writers. There is a misconception, an almost stigma, that artists are these recluses and at times self-involved people. That could not be farther from the truth. With this magazine, I reached out to my fellow writers and friends from CSUN. A group of artists that truly have their hearts and minds open to help make a difference. Today, we are working hard to make art something more inclusive, something to be seen and felt by everyone, not just the community of artists that already exists. We want to stray away from the idea that art is an elite and/or academic only media. Art is for everyone. With art, we can connect ourselves to the world, to all its emotions.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The journey of creating Kind Writers was a nervous and exciting experience. I still remember being afraid to reach out to artists to join this team, this adventure. There is no start-up money, no guarantee of success. So, how do you ask someone to join you on a journey that has no concrete plan or guaranteed experience? I learned that there was nothing to be afraid of because everyone I first asked to join the team was more than excited to be a part of such a journey. Currently, the biggest challenge is getting a lot done with the power of a small team. We are trying to put something big and beautiful together, and it’s taking everyone’s full effort to pull it off. We all come from backgrounds that required us to work twice as hard to get to where we are. Whether it be financial hardship, familial, or other personal struggles, we have all had to push through some dark times. I think our hardships are part of what makes this team such a strong and kind group of artists. We understand struggle, and we want to helps others who may be going through their own struggles. Art has been an outlet and a savior for many of us. We hope to bring that power of art to anyone willing to sneak a peek at our work.
Please tell us about Kind Writers.
Kind Writers is proudly diverse and inclusive, and we strive to represent work that is similarly representative of the world. We look to bring light to not only the work of an artist but also to their acts of kindness in their community. The person behind the work is just as important as the work being shared. We are dedicated to spreading kindness through art to everyone, within and outside of the artist community. We hope to be more accessible than most artists by making ourselves more available across various social platforms.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The most important quality to our success is kindness. As a team, we need to remember to be kind to the artists trusting us with their work. Be kind to everyone willing to collaborate with us. Be kind, always, because it’s truly the least we can be in this world.
Pricing:
- Magazine Print Issues $15
- Magazine Online Issues $10
Contact Info:
- Website: Kindwriters.com
- Email: kindwriters09@gmail.com
Image Credit:
The image with carousel in background, credit to Poetry Circus
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