What We Love arose from enacting a conversation, by bringing more voices to the table, where we are creating a home with good bones and impeccable intentions, so Aster(ix) can share writing that moves us. We revisited and have revised the Aster(ix) vision to embrace the known and unknown; the courageous and the unpredictable; the real and the unreal; to wrestle with the possible and the impossible; jaguar’s chesty roar; magic; what’s censored and omitted; love and devotion. What has come forth, through conversations and connections, reading, rereading and arguing was directed by what we love, with love as the torch bearer.

Aster(ix): What We Love compiles some of the most exciting poetry and prose by twenty one writers from all over the world: Dia Felix, Khadijah Queen, Amy Sara Carroll, Magda Kapa, Leila Christine Nadir, Laura Sims, Saudamini Deo, Saretta Morgan, Miranda Mellis, Karen An-hwei Lee, Chika Unigwe, Angela Karee, Kim Dana Kupperman, Janeil Page, Janelle Poe, Aurora Masum-Javed, Sarah Vap, Marlin M. Jenkins, Marie Ndiaye, Mahwash Shoaib and Vahni Capildeo.