mnemotope magazine

Publishing is a brilliant industry that allows for the sharing of knowledge and stories. However, it also separates readers from writers and dictates one 'proper', 'literary' form through which stories should be shared. But storytelling is innate - people are born storytellers.

In September 2023, as our final project at the Design Academy Eindhoven, we designed a platform within publishing that has no restrictions on grammar, language, or form, and seeks to amplify the stories that traditional literature often overlooks. Our open calls accept handwritten notes, voice memos we transcribe, screenshots of text messages, essays, poetry, and stories in whatever form they come to us, from all over the world.

We use bold, considered design to show that these stories are worth hearing. Our magazine feels warm and accessible to contributors, yet professional and visually interesting enough for bookstores. We use analog techniques in our graphic design to strike a balance between being approachable and innovative. Our communication is authentic and personable at every touchpoint - from open call posters to marketing, like stickers we've put around cities and beermats left in bars. To reach beyond social media algorithms, we email open calls to library reading and writing groups worldwide. For each issue, we also create a small, limited-edition gift for contributors - an opportunity to extend the world of the magazine and welcome them with the care and warmth so crucial to the project.

To date, we’ve published six editions featuring over 250 people from more than 70 towns in 22 countries across four continents. Most contributors had never been published before. Submissions have grown by 572%, and we’ve hosted over 1,000 attendees at live events in our first year. mnemotope is now stocked in 35+ bookstores globally.

The stories we have access to shape our perspectives, showing us things we’ve never imagined and reflecting parts of ourselves we thought we’d never see. Knowing we can tell our stories and be heard is equally impactful; it strengthens our voices and connects us to others.

mnemotope seeks to push the boundaries of literature because we know that what’s beyond them is vital - when we include a broader range of voices and stories in publishing, we see the world, and each other, in more nuanced, vibrant, complicated and wonderful ways.