To shine a spotlight on local literary magazines, Kill Your Darlings is showcasing the work of exciting publishers across the country. In this latest instalment, meet Paraphase Journal, a new print publication based in Melbourne and the Northern Rivers NSW. We chat with founder and editor, Kasumi Borczyk, who shares a story from the latest issue.
Why did you start Paraphase?
Equal parts contempt and admiration.
If you could sum up the journal in five words, how would you describe it?
I would prefer not to.
What kind of writing do you publish?
This question poses an existential problem for our magazine because I try to publish anything that resists whatever summary or description is being made by the editor that is trying to sell it. That said, calling myself an ‘editor’ or calling what I do ‘editing’ is like a bartender calling himself a mixologist—it’s deeply shameful—possibly even fraudulent, but it does mean that I not only get to publish whatever I like but that I get to be militantly unbothered by any other criteria beyond my own personal preference.
Any exciting upcoming projects that writers or readers should know about?
I’ve just recently released the new issue and there are many incredible pieces in there. I hope to continue publishing for as long as I can afford to, but I’m also not very good at administrating these things so I’m always liable to misappopriate the funds or something…who knows!
Where can readers find you?
Our website, where you can purchase issues or find our list of stockists.
How does the piece you’ve shared today, Brian Castro’s ‘Gregorian Chant: Vidi Aquam’, represent your magazine’s ethos?
Brian Castro is one of this nation’s greatest writers. He is also an intelligent reader and a generous spirit. I can’t say how this piece represents the ethos of our magazine because in truth, they share nothing in common with one other apart from the fact that they are very well-written.
Read the story here.
