Aotearotica

Aotearotica was a print-only literary journal that explored sex, sexuality and gender, based in Ōtautahi Christchurch (2016-2021). Highly specialised, it was developed as a way to showcase writing and conversations that were difficult to get published in mainstream media at the time.

In this presentation, Laura Borrowdale, the founding editor of Aotearotica, will discuss the conception, creation and ongoing publication of the journal as a case study for other niche journals. She is particularly interested in the ways that the community supports the development of projects such as Aotearotica, both as they emerge and as they continue. She is interested in exploring the reciprocal nature of this support, where the literary product in turn supports the growth of a community, and individuals’ emerging identities.

Also discussed will be the significance of the book as an object, particularly with the context of work about sex and sexuality. The creation of a beautiful item was of paramount importance throughout the existence of the journal, and this guided a number of editorial choices.

Despite offering something particularly attune with Aotearoa New Zealand, the journal reached a global market. The journal ultimately fell victim to its own success, and the reasons why and how will be explored.

As a case study, Aotearotica offers both a model and a warning, representing both a community need and a luxury, and I look forward to discussing these elements of the project with you.

Biography:

Laura Borrowdale is a writer, editor and teacher from Otautahi. Her first collection, ‘Sex, with animals’ was published by Dead Bird Books in 2020. Her work has been published in Sport, Turbine, Takahe, Catalyst, VICE, Pantograph Punch, The Spinoff and widely across Bauer and Fairfax media. She was the founding editor of Aotearotica, an NZ literary journal which went global. She, alongside Isla Huia and Josiah Morgan, is a founding editor of ngā pukapuka pekapeka, a small chapbook press.