Leela Shamash: Empowering Queer and Trans Writers with Ophelia House – A Literary Haven for Sadgirls
Tell us about your venture/work!
Ophelia House is a network for queer and trans sadgirl writers on the cutting edge of literature. We empower our community members by providing space and resources to support their writing processes. We believe the sadgirl condition is a response to oppression, writing is the opposite of suicide, and our stories have the power to change the world. We host a daily online writing club and a podcast.
How long have you been working on your venture? Why did you decide to work on something impact related?
I was longing for something like Ophelia House and found that it was missing from the world. As an aspiring writer struggling to survive in New York, I needed support for my writing practice. I also wanted a place to call my literary home with aesthetics and politics that resonate with me. Like writing the book you need to read, I decided to create the space I need to live.
How did you find out you wanted to take an entrepreneurial path? What was the first fundamental shift that happened to you as an early impact entrepreneur?
Growing up in Montreal, I was immersed in the local literary scene and surrounded by queer feminist witches, which is where my heart is. That said, I wanted to experience the world beyond my comfort zone and discover the literary landscapes of New York and beyond. I realized that to do so, I would need to lean in to my inner girlboss and learn new ways of navigating the economic system. The first fundamental shift I experienced was a process of allowing myself to desire success. This made it possible for me to go after it, for myself and my community.
What do you enjoy most about being an impact entrepreneur? What are the main challenges?
I love knowing that my success is connected to the empowerment of others. The main challenge I have encountered so far in stepping into the impact space is actually overcoming my internalized fear of cancelation. When sharing my feminist views and trying to serve my community of queer and trans people, I sometimes worry about accidentally hurting people and / or being vilified. I’m open to feedback, reflection, and repair, and I don’t want to let fear stop us. I know I have positive intentions, and I believe in our mission. This invites a process of learning resilience and perseverance, staying in my integrity, and trusting that trying to change the world for the better is worth the challenge.
What advice do you have for early-stage impact entrepreneurs about using their time and relationships to prepare for this kind of career? What would you tell to your younger self?
I would encourage you to educate yourself using the resources available to you for free through the internet and the public library. Remain connected to your roots and real relationships, and stay true to your interests and passions. They are what makes your story powerful. To my younger self, I would say to enjoy your experience and soak it all up. This is your life, and life is about love and magic. Living in late capitalism means we must interface with the system in some way, whether that’s resisting it, working to change it, trying to do good within it, trying to use its tools in service of something better, or some combination of all of the above. I hope Ophelia House will help us connect with the reality of a better world, where economic and social oppression are not the structure of our culture.
Anything else you would like to add? Feel free to paste any additional Questions + Answers that will help us tell your story.
Ophelia House has launched a Kickstarter selling zines and merch. Here is the link to support us : https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/opheliahouse/ophelia-house