aAh! Magazine invites all Manchester Met students with a passion for journalism, writing, design, illustration, and photography to pitch ideas for our upcoming print issue: The REAL Issue.

This issue will explore what realness means today, especially for young people and students navigating a world dominated by digital life, social media and AI.

What does authenticity look like? Do imperfections and flaws make something – or someone – real? How do emerging technologies reshape creativity and the arts?

We are looking for submissions that dig into the theme of reality in all its forms. What matters to you? What is real and what is performed? Who is the real you, and why does it matter to show it

Submissions can include features, interviews, reviews, opinion pieces, creative prose, poetry, artwork and photography. Don’t hold back – make a statement, spark conversation, and challenge the way we see the world.

Check out our Editor’s Picks of REAL-themed prompts below to spark your ideas, and explore previous themed issues to see how past topics have been interpreted.

Writers – Register your interest

aAh! welcomes all student writers and journalists to pitch ideas and submissions to be considered for print publication. Have an idea for a feature, interview, review, opinion, listicle, how-to, profile, Q&A or creative submission? Get in touch. Pitch your ideas via email to aAh.Editor@gmail.com to be considered for publication.

Featured Artists – Register your interest

In each issue we spotlight an artist in our community. Submit up to ten “REAL” themed images – Fine artists of all practices welcome, illustrators, photographers and graphic designers. Submit your work with a brief bio and explanation of how your work relates to the theme “REAL” via email to aAh.Editor@gmail.com

Print Editorial and Design Team – Register your interest

We are looking for volunteer student editors, subeditors, proofreaders, graphic designers, illustrators, photographers, and content creators to join the aAh! print team for 25/26. Complete this short survey to register your interest and be part of our new magazine. Team members will attend weekly meetings, connect with peers, and take part in editorial, design, and production workshops.

Editor’s Picks: REAL-themed prompts to inspire your ideas:

News and Features: What are the big issues in society right now? What’s real and what is manufactured outrage and propaganda? ‘Immigration’ as a scapegoat topic for not addressing Government failures, NHS issues, etc.

Arts and Culture: AI in art, how can we know what is real and what isn’t? Why is real art important? Artists who find beauty, humour and truth in ordinary life. Para-social relationships – when is it too much?

Music: AI Music, When does music have real meaning? Unplugged, stripped back, live performances and phone-free experiences.

Fashion and Beauty: When is self-expression authentic versus performative in trends, social media, or influencer culture? What is genuinely real and what is just a filter? Embracing authenticity in aging — what does being real look like at every stage of life? Body-realness during summer: what do real bodies with ‘flaws’ look like?

Lifestyle: When does life feel real? Dichotomy of sociability and loneliness during university. What is the real struggle compared to online perfection? Working, paying rent, buying groceries, worries about the future, etc. Being real / honest with friends and family. Real, imperfect relationships. The dichotomy of how we present ourselves online and who we really are.

Community: What does real community mean today? Explore connections in real life and online spaces. How do friendships, activism or volunteering shape authentic experiences and genuine connections?

Environment: Who really cares about the planet? What are the real issues? Are they being represented accurately? Dig into performative action vs real change. Who’s making a real-world impact?

Sport: What does real representation in sport media look like? Grassroots vs elite sport. The real cost of pursuing sport – financial, physical, emotional. Technology in sport. Community sport – where do genuine connections and real belonging come from?

Food: Is fast food real food? How about supplements? Explore authenticity in what we eat, food culture and trends. Can comfort food, imperfect recipes, or cultural dishes teach us something about realness?

Literature: Which authors feel genuine and why? How does authentic writing help others feel seen? Can a fictional story feel more “real” than non-fiction? How do authors reveal truth through imagination, honesty or vulnerability?

Creative writing: Dive into our theme of ‘REAL’ in your fiction, poetry and creative writing. Explore ideas around identity, reality v perception, or the tension between real and artificial.