Steel Jackdaw and the curious case of ideas as entities
Sometimes thoughts transform into an intoxicating urge to do something good in the world. Beware! This article may inspire you to start a creative project that makes a difference
My idea ruminated in early 2019, in a conversation with two poet friends, during a planning session for the Gloucestershire Poetry Society. I playfully said that I’d like to have a magazine of my own, one day. That idea passed as quickly as it left my mouth, but little did I know that it was lying dormant, waiting for an opportunity to resurface.
That chance came during the summer of lockdown. To those of you that have read Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, you will be familiar with the theory that ideas are living entities searching for hosts to be realised, and that hosts need to be primed in order to bring them into reality. It’s a fantastical notion that has its roots in an ancient Greek understanding of genius. That people aren’t geniuses. They possess a genius: an attendant inner spirit.
During my confinement, the collective sense of worry was palpable. A nation under lockdown at the mercy of an invisible threat. Our collective wings had been clipped. The feeling of overwhelm and restriction could have been destructive, but instead, that dormant idea sparked into action. I remembered that fleeting comment and smiled to myself, and I thought ‘why can’t I start my own magazine... isn’t this the perfect time to spread some positivity?’ And so began the story of my possession, and it was named Steel Jackdaw.
I had no idea how to run a magazine, just the will to make something good. That good intention was enough to throw caution to the wind. The more the idea took root, the easier I could dismiss barriers. What I did have was a long-standing career as a freelance graphic designer, my love for the arts, and a passion for poetry. I began to search for creative content on social media and reached out to creatives whose work resonated with me. I invited them to contribute to my new arts magazine, and, to my delight, many of them said yes.
The first issue seems such a long time ago, but I can remember the joy of collating the content, designing the edition and letting it fly into the world. I discovered poetry, in late 2016, when a friend invited me to join a new poetry group in Gloucester, and I jumped at the chance. Or was I pushed? That idea created a romance with words that has guided me to some great achievements. It’s a gift that keeps giving too, as I completed an MA in Creative Writing with Bath Spa University, last November, and took over as Director of the Gloucestershire Poetry Society in December.
My ethos for the magazine was clear. It would inspire people to support the arts, promote positive environmental and social action, and do good by donating a percentage of sales to charity. I am passionate about protecting the environment, which has been a core value for as long as I can remember. As is my desire to create and immerse myself in the transformational power of nature. As a Gen Z child, I was outdoors more than I was inside, before the distractions of the digital age. Most of my childhood was spent playing and exploring my external surroundings. I loved to draw and disappear into daydreams, study nature and imagine worlds of fantasy. I also discovered a passion for photography that remains with me today. I was able to look through the lens and capture the wonders of the world. This was my ticket to roam my local neighbourhood in search of oddity and beauty, and further into the wilderness of the Staffordshire countryside, no more than a few miles, in any direction, from my parent’s home. This love of juxtaposition was the reason for naming the magazine Steel Jackdaw.
On reflection, I had the tools for storytelling from an early age. I can see that Steel Jackdaw is a lens that highlights creative talent and sparks inspiration in people to imagine and do something positive. It is also part of me, the part that is romantic, idealistic, curious and compassionate, that wants to help the world.
At the time of writing this, I’m curating edition ten and the passion is just as strong as it was for the launch edition. I am constantly inspired by the contributors and their work. Each has a unique story and gifts to share, and I am humbled to publish them. It’s important to me that the magazine is a platform that publishes new talent, alongside established practitioners. I am still the curator, designer, editor and promoter, but I have my sights on establishing ‘SJ’ as a leading art and literature publication. I also have a wonderful family of creatives and readers that share my vision.
Steel Jackdaw is a quarterly digital publication, available as an eBook, for sustainability reasons. Later this year, editions will be available via print on demand. The cover art for each edition is commissioned to further support artists. It has a perpetual submission model, with four selection windows, and is open to all forms of creative expression, whether you are a novice or expert. So please send in your work for consideration.
I feel blessed to have been given the chance to have a positive impact. So thank you ‘Idea’ for choosing me to spread the power of creativity as a force for good. It’s turned out that we are a perfect partnership. If you have a seed of an idea that’s tickling your imagination, my advice is to water it, let it flourish and see where it takes you. It may just change your life!
Writing Prompt
Go outside. Find a green space. Get down on your knees and look at the world from ground level. Imagine you are tiny. What do you see?
Jason Conway lives in Stroud, Gloucestershire and is the Director of the Gloucestershire Poetry Society and founder of Steel Jackdaw magazine. He is published in Poetry Undressed, The Blue Nib, Poetry Bus, The Poetry Village, Impspired, Wildfire Words and Dreich. He has an MA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University.
www.thegloucestershirepoetrysociety.co.uk
Instagram @jasonleeconway
Facebook @thedaydreamacademy
Twitter @daydreamacademy
