Aspiring writers in the Blackfalds area may soon have a new platform to publish their work. The Blackfalds Public Library will be starting a literary magazine for writers of all kinds and ages.

“We had a writing program and now we want to create a platform for people to write for,” said Nicole Rice, Young Adult/Adult Programmer at the Blackfalds Public Library.

The writing program called Young Writers originally inspired Rice’s idea for a literary magazine but then other writers in the area took interest as well.

“We have families of people who come regularly to every program and they join everything and it’s really amazing. So, I was kind of just expecting it to be for them but then I got some interest from people I have never met before like adults and that kind of thing,” said Rice.

Right now, the project is in the early stages of planning but Rice is open to taking on some new ideas and looking for people who desire to get involved and share their input.

Rice is hoping to start out by producing a biannual or a yearly publication. Right now, she is in the process of deciding how to include all of the interested writers in the area which might mean one issue for younger writers and another issue for older.

“It will definitely be available in the library once we get it published, of course, we are self-publishing so that’s part of the process of planning and then we hope to expand where the magazine is,” said Rice.

The magazine will be available for a small cost for the publication of the issue. Heading forward, Rice will be applying for grants to keep the costs of the magazine down.

Besides funding, the biggest thing Rice is in need of is interest and those willing to put their work into the public and even join the editorial board.

Although the magazine will be based out of the Blackfalds Public Library, local writers from other surrounding communities are welcome to join in. They will be looking for creative fiction or non-fiction writing or art to be included in the magazine.

For more information on how to help out or submit work, contact the Blackfalds Public Library at 403-885-2343 or check out their Facebook page.