Meet Madison Foster | Editor-in-Chief of Carolina Muse

We had the good fortune of connecting with Madison Foster and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Madison, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
After graduating from college in 2020, publishing opportunities, and really any job opportunities, were scarce due to the pandemic. I’d spent my whole life preparing for a career in publishing, but if I wanted to get there that year, I knew I needed to pave my own way. I’d worked on a number of literary & art magazines across North Carolina and had passion for and experience with each stage of the process. There were aspects of each publication that I enjoyed, but there were also elements that I felt I would’ve changed if I’d been fully in charge. Creating Carolina Muse Literary & Arts Magazine allowed me to implement all of my ideas and create a space to amplify artists of all types who are based in the Carolinas.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a writer & musician, but the art I am most proud of is my multimedia arts magazine, Carolina Muse Literary & Arts Magazine. The magazine is unique from other creative publications because it highlights dance & music in addition to traditionally published poetry, visual art, and short stories. I created Carolina Muse in 2020, a challenging time in the world, and a challenging feat to accomplish when there weren’t any other publications that modeled exactly what I wanted to create. The start-up process required lots of research, trial & error, and support from my mentors & loved ones. I learned technical skills, like how to design a website to host a multimedia magazine, and soft skills like perseverance. I’d like the world to know that Carolina Muse is committed to uplifting and upholding the integrity of their creative work of all types.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I was born & raised in Greenville, South Carolina, a city in which I have returned to recently after many years residing in North Carolina. Since I am a nature lover, one of our first stops would be Paris Mountain for a hike! Conestee Nature Preserve is also a favorite nature escape of mine. I would also take them to West Greenville to enjoy some art galleries, local shops, and great drinks & small bites at Bar Margaret. Of course, no trip to Greenville is complete without a trip downtown to Falls Park! I enjoy picking up food to-go from one of downtown Greenville’s incredible restaurants and having a picnic in the park by the waterfall. You can walk it out down the Swamp Rabbit Trail afterwards! My favorite spot to eat in GVL is Kitchen Sync, and honorable mention for Brickstreet Cafe’s sweet potato cake and the Swamp Rabbit Cafe’s stecca bread. Lastly, there is always some sort of live music or show happening in town to enjoy!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many I can thank whose mentorship, support, and listening ears have helped me bring the magazine to life. Since the beginning, my family & friends have been unwavering in their encouragement and support, many of them volunteering their time to help me at events and purchasing everything I have sold over the years. As far as helping develop my skills in the literary magazine space, I’d like to thank Carlos Steward at The Black Mountain Press and my professors & mentors at Elon University. Lastly, I’d like to thank the wonderful team I’ve had at Carolina Muse over the years. I couldn’t run this publication without you!

Website: www.carolina-muse.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/carolina.muse

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/carolina-muse-literary-arts-magazine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolina.muse.arts/

Youtube: https://vimeo.com/carolinamuse

Image Credits
Fifth Sun Productions