courage (9) joost vandecasteele

10.12.2020
Author text
Joost Vandecasteele courage

In these troubled times, we asked a number of authors we admire what ‘courage’ means to them. In the coming weeks, you can read their answers here, in the form of a poem, a memory, an anecdote or a more philosophical reflection.

I want to turn back the years and really reap the rewards in order to sow interest and cut off all resistance, with all my characters together refusing to calm down.

But to really be what no one ascribes to you requires courage. So I have to preserve these precious stories better, until they really explain what I am protecting myself from, the beauty of failure.

Joost Vandecasteele (1979) is a Dutch-language actor and writer of novels and scripts, based in Brussels. Recent novels are Vel, Jungle and Wraakengel.

how nice that you were able to take the time for some literature

Perhaps you were moved or outraged, challenged or inspired. The online magazine allows us to introduce you to texts you might not expect. It also allows us to commission authors and translators and to pay them a decent fee for their work.

We make sure familiar voices get heard, but we also actively search for writers who are exploring unfamiliar territory or telling stories that get less attention. We find it important to give a platform to a wide range of literary makers, to shoulder them where necessary in the writing process and to pay them properly. Because we believe that all good and innovative voices need to be heard. You can help us to achieve this balance by supporting us financially. Your support goes straight to writers and translators.

Whether big or small, each contribution helps us to make sure that the authors get heard.

Many thanks in advance!

yes, I support literary makers
10.12.2020