Other Virtues

Other Virtues

OTHER VIRTUES is a risograph magazine that helps mothers unlock a fuller, freer life. It is a printed periodical that asks women to document and perform traditionally-sidelined aspects of motherhood, as to be seen and celebrated. $1 from the sale of every issue is donated to Everytown for gun safety.

Other Virtues exists to normalize and appreciate real scenes of motherhood, centered on the woman and not on the child, that complicate pervasive ideas of the virtuous mother — clean, calm, self-sacrificing — by presenting “other virtues” such as disorganization, maximalism, and non-traditional femininity. The series is produced in a riso booklet format featuring photographs, illustrations, and text. BearBear publishes the series semi-annually, featuring work by Diana H. Chu in collaboration with fellow mothers + non-binary parents.

OPEN CALL:
If you identify as a mother (or non-binary parent) who wants to share glimpses into your world, please submit a maximum of 10 photos and a maximum of 1 piece of text for consideration to be published in [Other Virtues].

PHOTO PROMPTS:
Your photographs will be curated, cropped, but otherwise minimally adjusted before printing. 

  1. Messy.
    A laundry basket mid-fold, dishes in a sink, an unpacked suitcase, car chaos, hair thrown in a bun 3 days in a row, a forgotten drawer, the junk desk, the closet you throw things into when guests come over. Show what's behind the curtain. What you wouldn't normally share.

  2. Slow.
    Unharried, un-packed, nothing on the schedule. The kids are bored. You're not on a screen. No new toys. Old forgotten things. Dust. A wandering mind. Taking your time.

  3. As-is.
    What’s in your bag, purse, wallet, car. What's on your nightstand. On your bookshelf. Weeds in the garden. A scene that’s left totally uncurated that shows an assortment of stuff in space, just as it is.

  4. Nature.
    A cut stem in a vase, leaf shadows, a pond, rain. Skin on an apple. Pears in a bowl. The pumpkin patch. Leaves. Detritus. A bug trapped in snow.

  5. Feminine.
    For you, not for anyone else. What makes you feel femme — beautiful, powerful, worthy? Is it a thing, an act, a ritual, a place? Where are your mirrors? When do you steal glances of yourself?

  6. Care.
    Caring and nurturing through meal preparation, through song, through awareness, through looking. What feels like care to you? This could be self-care (a playlist, a skincare regime, a cup of tea), a drawing or quotation you return to, a stocked freezer. It could be a pace: how slow or fast you do something, how dialled, how specific.

  7. Rage.
    Where does your anger go after it surfaces? Is there some place you channel it? Are there colors, shapes, or objects you think of when you bring your rage into focus? Do you rage clean? What does release mean to you?

  8. Frivolous.
    Trinkets, whims, indulgences, splurges. These things or feelings we label as extraneous, as beyond what’s “responsible”, do they bring you joy? What is small but makes you smile anyway? Are there things you do when no one is around to make you feel good? What makes you, without caring for someone else, simply, happy?

WRITING PROMPTS:
Please send 500 words maximum. No poems. Answer any of these questions:

  • When do you feel your most attractive?

  • What are things you admire about how other moms present themselves?

  • What is the best compliment you’ve ever received?

  • Is there any “mom gear” or “kid gear” that you’ve refused to purchase and why?

  • Complete this sentence: “Despite being a mom, I still choose to… because…”

  • When you are feeling low, how do you perk yourself up?

  • When you’re feeling feisty, how do you express yourself?

  • If there’s one thing someone could magically do for you right now, what would it be?

  • What’s the longest you go without bathing?

  • In what ways are you rebelling against the idea of traditional motherhood?

  • What’s a whimsical, weird, fun little quirk about you?

  • What do you do in order to feel “presentable”?

  • What have you let go of recently? Why did you let it go? What kept you holding on?

  • How has your style changed as a mom?

  • Describe what you chose to wear today, how you did your makeup/hair today, and why?

  • With whom do you talk about “mom” stuff?

  • With whom do you talk about “woman” stuff?

  • With whom do you talk about “money” stuff?

  • How do you stay on top of things?

  • Do you consider yourself strong?

  • Describe a childhood memory that you would relive for a day.

ALSO SEEKING:
Have an idea that doesn't fit into these prompts? Think of [Other Virtues] as a momthology for mothers living "real" life. It's meant to be friend-to-friend style, like chatting with your best pal on their couch with the kettle on, swapping memories, suggestions, confessions. [Other Virtues] is a safe, conspiratorial, positive space. We are also seeking real stories, anecdotes, as-seen-in, or first-person perspective pieces of text. Research-based, product or media reviews, travel diaries, city guides, gift guides, favorite recipes, and similar lifestyle texts will be considered. Relevant illustrations or comics will be considered.

ROLLING DEADLINE:
Email your photographs (and text) to heybearbear@gmail.com. If the images are too large, please send files through WeTransfer or a Google Drive link. Include in your email how you want to be credited. e.g. Diana Chu or Diana H. Chu or Diana C.

THANK YOU
I know it takes time, thought, and care to reflect. I see you. The most important thing is that you send something in, share your voice, and get in print. It shouldn't be perfect. That's the whole point, mama.

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