Interview with Our Imaginative Founder, Jade

Papers: We know that you were born and raised in NYC, which is also the birthplace of Papers Publishing, at what stage of your life did you realize you wanted to be a writer and wanted to create a space for other writers to grow?

Jade: There was something special that drew me to writing as a child. I’m not sure what it was, but I loved the idea of creating my own reality. I grew up very poor, but as I get older I realize it wasn’t because my family lacked the resources, it was because they weren’t prepared to parent—which is okay. I think many people believe that parenting resembles something very particular, but no, parenting could look like nothing. I often joke and say that I am the result of a child who raised herself, and I am. Back to the writing, since I spent so much time alone as a kid, not really connecting with my peers or my family, I read a lot of books as a result. Books have a really special power of making you feel like you’re not as alone, and I thought to myself, I really love this feeling that I’m getting and not only that—I admire this. That’s when I began to write small stories and give them to my teachers as gifts. It was, and still is, a great way for me to feel connected to myself and to others.

The idea of creating a shared space came to me later on. When I was in high school, me and this person, Yanni (who now models for Fenty—completely unrelated but very cool), started a poetry club. It was one of the first times I felt like I had a group where we enjoyed each other, had fun, and formed a truly judgement free space where people can write, but also, people can be their authentic self. When I was in college, I primarily studied Writing & Literature, where I had to take a literary critiquing course. That course gave me the same feeling I had in high school, where I felt I was in a room with writers, readers, and thinkers who genuinely loved the art-form. Fast forwarding a couple of years later, I knew I wanted to create a similar space, and specifically wanted to introduce writers who may not get the opportunity otherwise.

Papers: We’re sure those early years were crucial to your writing journey and your personal story. Segwaying into that, we notice that you identify as a fiction novelist, where do you gain your inspiration for creating characters, settings, and plots?

Jade: I used to do this thing where I would walk around and write down everything I saw. This is also a method that many therapists use to ground their patients—those who suffer from anxiety disorders, or something similar. You look at something and you write down all the details about it, or make a mental note. In example, I see an abandoned bike. It’s a pink bike, with aluminum-like frills on the handlebar, training wheels, flat front white tire, seat hiked up past its limit, leaning against a once grey fence, turning from rust. To answer your question, that is where I get my inspiration. The things around me, the people around me, life and small stories engraved into an object. I’ve had to do this so many times because of my anxious mind, and luckily it has helped me with my writing and to also appreciate subtle beauty.

Papers: You seem to have a pretty introspective view when it comes to understanding your work. Often when describing your writing style, you mention you write for women in dehumanizing categories. Can you explain what that means, and how you use your writing as your outspoken outlet?

Jade: Women are painted as being so muted in literature. It’s definitely changing because you have more women speaking openly about what it means to be femme, or how to describe a female character without over-sexualizing her. I was just thinking about the main character from my recent novel today, and I was thinking about how I never revealed her sexual orientation, and how it’s never a conversation in the book. Not to give too much away, but the character finds herself in intimate relationships with several people, not just the main love interest. I never felt the need to open a dialogue about her sexuality because I deemed it as unnecessary. I think it would be unfair to the writing and to her overall character development to pigeonhole her to one thing, she is complex just as I am.

I use that example because as I mentioned above, women are muted. We’re the damsels, we’re the carers, we’re the strong-independent, we’re the sluts—and that form of label-generating is dehumanizing. We’re lacerating the overall identity of someone, and placing them into who we want them to be; women are a collage of spectacular things. I’m also not saying that women aren’t the above, we definitely are all of those things, but it is unfair to take our identities away from us, and often time the characters I write in my novels are going against just that. In my first novel, the lead character was a fierce lover, but she was also timid when it came love. The main character from my second novel idolizes her black parents, but wants nothing more than the acceptance of her white peers. All in all, my writing is meant for these conversations, and is also my way of going against the stigma.

Papers: We’re all about that! Can you tell us what encouraged you to start Papers Publishing, and how has it changed the way you view the writing world?

Jade: Now, to be fair, the kind of writing I adore is way different than the writing that is popular. I love experimental fiction and anything that fits into that mold, and to be honest, I found myself in search of writers within that criteria when I first started Papers. I was lucky enough to have two team members join who subconsciously pushed me out of that. They were able to broaden the way I saw writing, and the way I viewed other people’s work. I started to really appreciate genres that I wouldn’t necessarily gravitate towards, but it’s one of the greatest lessons I’ve gained since working closely with them.

I started Papers Publishing as a home for any writer who needed one because writing in itself is a lonesome activity. I wanted the writers who submit to feel welcomed and appreciated. Our editors also provide feedback to many of the submissions we unfortunately have to decline, and that in itself has been well received by the community. I know that even when I submit, after a few rejections, it starts to have you question your confidence. Is this something I should be doing? Am I valued? Should I quit writing altogether? It’s hard, and I wanted others to know that they have a place at Papers Publishing. I was fortunate enough to speak with a fellow creative who we just got brought on to our team, and they mentioned how everyone needs a place to start, and I’m thankful that Papers Publishing is that place.

Papers: Lastly, how do you see Papers Publishing evolving, and what are some words of encouragement that you can give to writers who are just starting out?

Jade: I’m honestly overwhelmed by the support we’ve received so far. We have such a wonderful following, and everyone who I’ve spoken to has welcomed Papers into their lives with open arms. I can’t necessarily determine what our future holds, but I know that I’m excited as hell to see where it takes me and everyone else. We all work really hard, and we all really just love writing and love the community.

For any writers who feel discouraged or feel alone, you’re not. There are more people like you than you think. If you feel like you don’t have a home, a collective, a friendship—you have all of that and more at Papers Publishing.