Here’s the Second Issue!

Finally, the second issue of aBeautyMag has arrived! Please forgive the fact that most all the articles here are written by me—I don’t mean to be biased, I just need writers! There’s a lot to say about the state of beauty in this world, and I know my voice doesn’t speak for all—MissRepresentation is just one organization that’s rallying women to fight against the media and fight for women’s rights and equality, and I know you have ideas too. Please share your thoughts and talent with me via abeautymag [at] gmail.com. There are plenty of sections that still need contributions, and if you have an idea for another, feel free to share. I’m more than excited to hear all of your ideas :)

Be well, and love yourself! Enjoy!

New articles:
Beauty In The US, Motivation for Change
Exercise: Martial Arts
Getting Better: Disney’s Brave: The Feminine Story Advances
Role Model #1: Sarah Kay, Spoken Word Poet and Leader
The Nutritional Benefits of Tea
Five Tips On How To Love Yourself and Others
Letter To My 19-Year-Old Self
Poetry Submissions

New Issue Soon!

I’m working on my new issue as we speak, but I’m still looking for contributing writers! Peruse the lonely sections, and email me if you’ve got an idea for something!

The Launch – A Note from the Editor

Whew! First issue out and lots of work still to be done! Though there are some truly spectacular articles up for you to read (I should know; I edited them), there are still many more begging to be written. If you see a blank page under a heading you feel passionate about or have knowledge about and become inspired to write something, send it along! Until I generate a more solid writer base, this magazine will probably have rolling submissions and an unsteady stream of issues. With your help, I can make this more of an actual magazine. See below for links to sections that actually have articles this go around – I will add to it until it fills up a little more…

I also want to encourage you to leave comments and discuss what you read. I have my idea of what beauty should be, but that doesn’t make me right! I want to hear your ideas, suggestions, and arguments – just remember to be respectful with your words. No teasing (unless it’s all in good fun). And if you have an idea for an article or something you want to share anonymously, you can e-mail Karen at abeautymag [at] gmail.com.

Also, I could not have done this magazine without the support from my friends and family. I would like to make a special call-out to this issue’s authors for their generous support and contributions. First is my mom, who continued to push me to get this published and challenged herself to write an extremely difficult article. I appreciate her support and her courage. Next is Cara Rafferty, the first of my writers to write an article for me and with such enthusiasm. Then there’s Courtney O’Brien, a friend of Cara’s who was brave enough to share her story not only with a complete stranger, but anyone else who happens upon this mag. Your support made me realize that what I was doing was actually worth doing. Thank you so much for your support and hard work. You’re helping to better how people see the world.

Links to the first articles:
Role Models
Negative Stereotype #1: The Bad-Ass Female
Why Joss Whedon is Awesome (as if you needed an example)
Re-Thinking Beauty
How to Appreciate your Girlfriends
Advice from a Mom: Finding Beauty in the Mirror
The Mirror Effect
Art Submissions: Portraits
Art Submissions: Poetry

Coming Soon!

Hello!

If you’re reading this, I’m assuming that you received an invitation to take my survey on beauty and were interested in what I was doing. If that is indeed the case, I’m glad! I’m working on my first issue at the moment and need a lot of help to make this happen fast. If you happen to know anyone (or happen to be) an expert in body image, nutrition, health, psychology, etc., please let me know by leaving a comment below with contact info. Or, if you have an idea for an article, leave that below as well.

Since you’re here, I’ll also let you know that I plan to have a section for art in each issue. For the first issue, I would like to have the art pertain to beauty in some way. If you are an artist, please leave your contact info below, and I will send you a personal invitation to my art competition. The art can be anything as long as it can be represented online–photographs and videos are obvious, but if you can get creative, I’m open to whatever you can throw at me! If you don’t feel comfortable leaving your contact info, check back in about a month for more information (or check with the person who sent you the invitation for the beauty survey–they’ll probably get the call for art as well). Because I am currently not funded and doing this on my free time, there is no other prize than receiving exposure : ) BUT nothing hurts on a resumé ; )