KEENER by Sarah Keener

KEENER MAGAZINE

SARAH KEENER  EDITOR IN CHIEF

TO BE ANNOUNCED EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

KATHARINA DAUE

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS & ARTISTS INTRODUCTORY ISSUE OCTOBER 2014

Dear Reader,

A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR,

I began this magazine by writing a formal introduction. The thing is, that would be dishonest. I’d like to skip the formalities. I’d like to invite you in, right off the bat. You see, the goal of this magazine is to patch up those parts of your soul you’ve lost along the way. Realistically, it’s just a group of people talking about the things that they’re passionate about. A forum, in formal form.

I say to you, step out of the box.

Walk backwards.

We are told often, from a young age, that we can’t change the world. That we can’t make a difference. That we’re meant to build a life, but we’re not meant to venture outside the lines.     Polymaths do just that. They venture outside the rules. They make mistakes. They learn from them. They are the scientists, the artists, the writers, the teachers, the insatiable souls. This is for them. For me. For you. For the ones who say we’re mad. They tell us to fall in line. Play only the notes written for us. May we all find a little madness in our lives. Maybe this is will remind you that everything in the universe is connected.     A web of life.     May you learn something new, or teach something new. Tell your story. Speak out.   If you’re passionate about more than one subject, and you’re looking for a soapbox to stand upon...     This is that soapbox. Your friend,

Sarah A. Keener

What is KEENER about? This project has been a long time goal of mine, and basically, the magazine is written by polymaths for polymaths. Yo u ’ r e p r o b a b l y w o n d e r i n g . O c t o b e r i s o v e r. What is the purpose of this issue?     The first issue is just to get the engine started. I’m hoping to generate a bit of curiosity, and talented contributors. I feel like this magazine would be a good outlet for like-minded polymaths. I’m not trying to start an awakening, but I think the content in which we typically share information is limited. Writing can create change. For a long time, I’m not sure I really believed that. We’re told otherwise, every day, by actions. Words are important too, though, and we all have a voice. A voice heard in the darkness is no longer a voice, but a direction, a lighted path. It needs to be heard. You never know what change may come of that. Do I have any qualifications in mind for contributors?    Yeah. A pulse. I don’t want any zombies on board. Really. I want people who are passionate about what they are writing about or working on. I think if someone is passionate about their work, the rest falls into place. Professionals are encouraged, but not mandatory. Readers are drawn to experience, just as much as certification.    Is this a local magazine?     No. That’s the great thing about an online magazine. You can submit your work from anywhere. If you’re a polymath, and you’re interested in writing or submitting your work. Please contact me. KeenerZine@Gmail.com     It’s important to have a voice.   It’s just as important to have an outlet for that voice.

What kinds of things are we looking for?   ( N o n - F i c t i o n & F i c t i o n )     A r t w o r k .   S h o r t S t o r i e s   P h o t o g r a p h y   P o e t r y   M u s i c   A r t i c l e s

The magazine features one polymath each month. That polymath is interviewed, and his or her talents put on display. If you’re interested in becoming a feature of KEENER magazine, please contact us.

Our first issue is coming in December 2014!

What’s your passion? Each article writer is given or chooses a subject to write about comparing two or more industries to each other. Subjects are encouraged that are not well-known. Articles that are informational are encouraged. All research is left up to the writer. Maybe it’s cooking. Maybe its the fibonacci sequence in plant growth. Maybe it’s geometry. Maybe it’s dance. Whatever it is. It’s all connected.

SCIENCE?

ART?

WICKED SMART I N TE R V IE W W IT H

KATHARINA DAUE

The woman who inspired the magazine speaks up about her origin, and many talents. The mind behind the model. Katharina is not just a pretty face in front of a camera. She packs a dangerous punch! She might even surprise you with her science fiction stories about quantum mechanics.

What first inspired you to start modeling? “I love being in front of the camera; becoming other characters, dressing up, creativity. I own lots of costume-y clothing. I have studied acting, and modeling seems to go handin-hand with it. My first shoot was pin-up. I had three outfits I was doing and while in the dressing room I acted in front of the mirror with a stilted 50s-movie voice. My photographer must have wondered just what I was doing in there.” Yo u ’ r e t h e f i r s t c o v e r m o d e l f o r KEENER. How did you feel when you got the news? “Ecstatic and honored!” Yo u ’ l l b e w r i t i n g f o r t h e m a g a z i n e as well. What sort of things do you like to write? “I would like to write a bit about modern mysteries and strange phenomena, which I am a big fan of, too. Foremost I write science fiction and fantasy, and would love to explore the stars a bit.”

As a contributor to the magazine, you are a known polymath. What are some other things that you do? Anything unexpected? “I am a writer. It's another way I like to explore and create different worlds and characters. I got published when I was sixteen for one of my poems. I took a break from writing for awhile, even while getting my English degree at UF, but now I am back to following my childhood passion. I am getting a short story published soon. Also, I'm writing on a science fiction book. I like to know things, explore the unknown and impossible. I love languages, mythology, history, and other cultures. I'm a hardcore science fiction fan and love space science. I think I might have more books on space science and multiple worlds theories than actual fiction. I've studied Martial Arts, which you wouldn't think because I'm so little. I also have a passion for video games and making music (playing the piano). I have done translation and voice-over for a few infomercials for the German company smartFiber, one of which ran on 3sat. If it involves any type of creativity, I love it.” Do you see yourself acting or modeling in five years? If so, what kind

of character would you most like to play? Do you have a ‘stage name’ when working? “I see myself doing both, but hopefully stepping more into the acting field. I like entertaining. I like people's reactions. I tend to either like to make people laugh or to play more seductive, charismatic people. Evil is more fun, but good can be interesting if there is a lot of willpower and some faulty traits. I don't have a pseudonym. I always get asked if my name is my real name, which it is, so I keep it for the fun. The funny thing is that in Germany my name seems like any other.” Yo u l i v e i n S a r a s o t a , b u t y o u ’ r e n o t originally from. Can you tell us about your hometown?     “I was born in Berlin, Germany, shortly before the wall fell. I still speak German; it's my first language. Whenever I go back to Germany, I feel this emotional difference that's deeper than just the buildings or the fact that there's a lot of history in that town for me and my family. The last time I was there I visited the remains of the Berlin Wall and I couldn't believe that East Berlin just stood there open to me, no wall in between. I was shocked to see a tram running into West Berlin from the East. I'm German by birth and heritage but I would like to say I'm also Germarican, since I've lived here for awhile.”

Villains are often just misunders t o o d . Wo u l d y o u s a y t h a t a b o u t your ‘wicked’ witch? What is she really like? “My witch is multi-faceted. She's a noble creature, and sinister in a way that she knows she has unlimited powers, and she's seductive. But she's also curious, because she wants to know what it's like to live in a human world work in the day, go out at night, drive a car, or whatever. You know, things she doesn't get to do. The drive-a-car thing would be a problem for everyone else if she got road rage in a traffic jam.” Playing the dark side of magic this month. Who do you side with more in stories, the villains or heroes? “It really depends on the story and the hero/anti-hero. I think a good hero and a good villain can be much alike they have both good and evil traits. I like the characters that have intellect and charisma, and who aren't perfect. Of course being very interesting doesn't hurt, either. My favorite characters are the ones that turn around at the end and surprise you in a good way.”

Witches in Ger many are dark and s i n i s t e r. W h a t w a s i t l i k e p o s i n g a s one for October? “Whenever I had a hiccup as a child my mother used to tell me to think of three evil witches and it will go away. Witches have a stigma or being horrible and causing bad omen, which I think stems from the type of fairy tales told in Germany that aren't as glamorous as many of the ones told here (think Disney). Playing one, though, was more different than I thought. I loved exploring the sinister, mysterious side of someone with dark powers. I guess you shouldn't judge someone before you walk a mile in their witch-shoes.”