what is labaatan?

“There are writers who write for fame. And there are writers who write because we need to make sense of the world we live in; writing is a way to clarify, to interpret, to reinvent. We may want our work to be recognized, but that is not the reason we write. We do not write because we must; we always have a choice. We write because language is the way we keep a hold on life. With words we experience our deepest understandings of what it means to be intimate. We communicate to connect, to know community.”

- bell hooks (remembered rapture: the writer at work)

Being a writer in today’s age can feel like a monumental task. The pandemic and subsequent recession have made finding writing jobs difficult and rendered the profession an unattainable dream for those without generational wealth.

labaatan can't fix the economy (as much as we wish we could), but we can offer a space for writers and ideas that don't make it into mainstream publications. We want all your pitches, no matter how small or local they may be. We want the drafts you thought nobody would be interested in and the flashes of inspiration you tuck away in your notes app. 

labaatan exists for the simple reason that despite the state of journalism, the next generation of writers should have a place where they can find their voice. 

meet the team

  • Haaniyah Angus

    Haaniyah Angus is a Black British culture writer and filmmaker based in Buckinghamshire.

    Her work focuses on mental health and the intersection between sociological theories, race, gender, and online culture. She has written for online publications such as DAZED, Refinery29, VICE, and PAPERMAG. She can often be found ranting about movies she both loves and loathes.

    You can follow Haaniyah on Twitter (@_haaniyah_) or Substack

  • Ariane Anindita

    Ari is an Indonesian writer, actor, and stand-up comedian currently based in Vancouver, British Columbia.

    You can usually find her galavanting around South London in the summertime, unironically enjoying the Fast and Furious franchise, and evaluating the quality of Seinfeld memes in their spare time. She is currently pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia.

    You can follow Ari on Twitter (@arianeanindita) or Substack

  • Aamina Khan

    Aamina is a Brooklyn-based culture writer with work in Teen Vogue, Vogue, The Cut, W Magazine, and more.

    She is openly a fan of HBO’s Girls and reads substacks as bedtime stories.

    You can follow Aamina on Twitter @aaminasdfghjkl

  • Ayan Artan

    Ayan Artan is Somali-British essayist and screenwriter.

    She graduated with honours with a degree in Journalism and Creative Writing from the University of Leicester and is currently finishing up her MA in Creative Writing, where she is projected to graduate with a Distinction.

    She is a known essayist and film critic, with features published everywhere from the likes of Refinery 29 and Vogue to Black Ballad, Digital Spy and The Metro.

    You can follow Ayan on Twitter @artan_ayan

  • Juliette Marie

    Juliette is a New York-based writer and teacher. She was born and raised in Queens but now resides in Brooklyn with two fish, two cats, and a hamster.

    She's currently pursuing an MFA in creative fiction at Bennington College. She’s an eclectic reader and writer fascinated by gothic, horror, and coming-of-age narratives, especially when the genres overlap.

    You can follow Juliette on Twitter (@ladyjuliettem) or Substack