We loved our conversation with Issue 1 contributor Vesper about their piece “SUPERIORITY COMPLEX,” the revision process, and other fantastic literary magazines that you should check out!

Your piece “SUPERIORITY COMPLEX” stood out to us because of its striking personality and vibrant language. Do you have a favorite image within your poem that you think particularly brought it to life?

I am partial to the line “& lucid dream daze, shoegaze music states,” and I do believe this line really brought the poem to life. The repetition of sounds and the transparency of the line helps establish the tone for the rest of the poem. 

How did you approach revising this piece—and how do you approach revision in general? How much did this piece change between its first draft and its final?

I revised the poem on my own before submitting it for one of my MSc workshops. The original title of the poem was “YOU’RE LACKING IN THIS ONE,” until one of my cohort-mates mentioned just titling the poem “SUPERIORITY COMPLEX.” The only other part that really changed was including more concrete details in the second stanza, for example the feathered hair and PU leather. 

I approach revision in general by allowing a poem to breathe for a few days or weeks and then picking the poem back up if I believe it’s good enough. This has been a muscle I’ve had to train, but after you as the poet can recognize that, it is much easier to share with your peers for feedback or perform at open mics. 

How did you get started writing poetry? Have you always felt drawn to it, or did you get into it more recently?

I actually started writing poetry because of finding Iain S. Thomas’s collection “I Wrote This For You” when I was a preteen. I’ve always felt drawn to writing, but before that I was writing lots of childhood stories about people becoming aliens or aliens visiting Earth. Thomas’s poetry collection was the first time I realized people could share their emotions in such a contemporary, raw way through poetry.

What’s a literary magazine you enjoy reading? Are there any pieces in particular that you’d recommend?

I quite like effy literary and t'ART ONLINE. Everyone is so talented—I just say immerse yourself in poetry as much as possible!

Finally, since we’re Marmalade Lit, do you have a favorite bread, pastry, or jam?

Such a fun question! I enjoy gluten free toast with apricot jam.