top of page
Swallotail 1.png

The Wise Owl

Swallowtail Edition

November  2024

TWO_edited.png
Artwork: Harmeet Singh  & Rachna Singh

Editor Speak: The Swallowtail Edition - Celebrating Three Years of The Wise Owl

November 2024

As The Wise Owl reaches its third year and proudly releases its 36th edition, we reflect on the journey that has led us here—a journey marked by exploration, resilience, and the nurturing of creativity across borders. It is only fitting that this anniversary edition takes flight with the elegance and spirit of the swallowtail butterfly. Known for its beauty, grace, and journey through metamorphosis, the swallowtail represents everything we aspire for The Wise Owl to be: a vibrant space for transformation and an international canvas for voices that touch the heart and engage the mind.

In this celebratory edition, we are delighted to present interviews that honor both emerging and established creators. Longlisted for the Booker Prize, Yael van der Wouden shares insights into her novel The Safekeep, a poignant exploration of memory, love, and loss. In our art spotlight, Stephen Mead, curator of The Chroma Museum, reveals his dedication to preserving LGBTQI history through powerful, evocative art that speaks to shared identities and forgotten stories. Meanwhile, in our Talking Books segment, Susan Burch opens up about her cherita collection, Wear Plaid, a deeply personal work dedicated to her cousin Paige, whose memory shapes each poem with both sorrow and celebration.

Our Wise Owl community has grown beyond borders, and this issue reflects the best of their creative spirits. Poetry, short stories, and creative non-fiction from voices around the globe captivate and inspire, while book and film reviews guide readers through some of the most exciting releases and cinematic gems of the year. The podcast segment features recitations by our very own poets and writers, transforming words on the page into an auditory experience that echoes the human experience.

In Studio Talks, we sit down with Dr. Jas Kohli, a practicing physician and author of three novels, whose dedication to storytelling offers a glimpse into the transformative potential of words in the midst of a demanding profession. Additionally, we took The Wise Owl to the hills of Kasauli to attend the Khushwant Singh Literary Festival, where we captured the energy, wisdom, and camaraderie of fellow literary enthusiasts on film.

To our readers, contributors, and every voice that has enriched The Wise Owl, thank you for joining us in flight. Like the swallowtail, we soar, celebrate, and look forward to many more journeys together. Here's to three transformative years and to the countless stories waiting to be told.

Happy reading!

The Interview: Yael van der Wouden 

Yael van der Wouden (c) Roosmarjin Broersen.jpg

              Yael van der Wouden             Longlisted for Booker prize 2024

      

The  INTERVIEW: Stephen Mead     
              An Albany-based Artist 

Forgiveness, Healing, QF border.jpg

Forgiveness Healing
 

Stephen_Mead.jpg

               Stephen Mead       
        An Albany-based Artist

She Arrives, QF with border.jpg

She Arrives

Swallowtail 6.png

FICTION

Swallowtail 7.png

NON FICTION

Swallowtail 2.png

REVIEWS

Swallotail 9.png

Visual Arts

TALKING BOOKS

Wear Plaid cover.png

With Susan Burch

Susan Burch talks about her cherita collection Wear Plaid

More than 100 conversations With creative wizards

Screenshot 2024-06-29 at 5.35.30 PM.png
Screenshot 2024-06-29 at 5.35.42 PM.png

To enjoy conversations with creative luminaries like Roger Frappier, Raghu Rai, Audrey Magee, JR Thorp, ai Li  click the button below

Podcasts

Image by Vagaro

The Place of Reunions (poem)
Sam Hendrian

Image by Arash

The Poet (poem)
Craig Kirchner

Modern Buildings Hologram

Architecture (Part II) (Story)
Jonathan B Ferrini

Image by Christina Deravedisian

Celebration & Memories (poems)
Murali Kamma

Image by Ehud Neuhaus

In the Eye of the Storm (poem)
Arvilla Fee

Image by Mediamodifier

My Letter (Story)
Mayumi Yamamoto

Image by Piotr Chrobot

The Colur of a Working day (poem)
Sunil Sharma

Image by Christina Deravedisian

The Sum of Our Parts (poem)
Arvilla Fee

Image by Lin Dai

A Dream & A choked Heart (poems)
Amita Sanghavi

The Wise Owl Studio Talks

Our Guest: Jas Kohli

TWO Studio Talks.png

To make The Wise Owl more interactive and engaging, we have introduced The Wise Owl Studio Talks. We invite a poet/writer/artist to our Studio in Chandigarh and enjoy a quick informal chat with our Studio guest over cups of hot tea. The 3rd Edition of The Wise Owl Studio Talks features an interesting conversation with Jas Kohli, a practicing doctor and an author with three books to his credit. If you are a poet/writer/artist visiting Chandigarh, we would be happy to chat with you in our studio. For any queries email editor@thewiseowl.art

Montage

Khushwant Singh Literary Festival, Kasauli

KSLITFest.png

The Wise Owl Team visited the Khushwant Singh Literary Festival in the serene hills of Kasauli. A galaxy of writer, poets and articulate speakers made the experience delightful and extremely engaging. The Wise Owl Team put together a film on the literary festival. Here is a quick peek. 

Our Daily Segment

The Daily Verse

Our Weekly Segment

THe WEEKLY YARNS.jpg

The WEEKLY YARNS

To make The Wise Owl more dynamic, we introduced The Daily Verse & The Weekly Yarns, segments where we upload poetry all  days of the week & stories/flash fiction/anecdotes & musings on a weekly basis. We are delighted by the enthusiastic response these segments have garnered. If you would like to be a part of  The Wise Owl community, send in your submissions to editor@thewiseowl.art

The Wise Owl Publications

 (January 2023)

chapbook 1.JPG

              (January 2023)

Ides Chapbook.JPG

(March 2023)

book cover.JPG

(August 2023)

Far mountain.png

(April 2024)

Wear Plaid cover.png

(September 2024)

Magazine

Free Download of your favourite Magazine

bottom of page