Ukrainian writer Sana Dutka: I advise aspiring writers not to give up – rejection doesn’t mean your manuscript is bad

Devin Cecchetto is a Canadian singer and actress who recently released her first single from a four-song series, with each track representing a different stage of her life. The first release, “Desert Cold,” is a melancholic and nostalgic song with a strong cinematic feel. The song reflects on a period in Devin’s life when she was living in Los Angeles. As the artist herself described it, she felt caught somewhere between “everything around me is so bright and there’s so much going on” and a deep sense of loneliness. Devin spoke to our founder, Asya Radko, about that period of her life, the songwriting process, and her own artistic vision.

AJ Ingson is an American artist and craftsperson working in the fields of digital illustration and woodworking. One of the key aspects of their artistic practice is embracing mistakes and experimentation. When something needs to be changed in his illustrations or projects, they see it as an opportunity — the process of solving problems brings them half of the enjoyment because it allows them to refine their skills and improve their craft. One of their current projects explores genetics and the idea of inheritance through the lens of craftsmanship. They is fascinated by the idea that they can be both similar to their parents and, at the same time, not completely either one of them. AJ Ingson shared with us about the beginning of their creative journey, his current projects, and the values that guide them as an artist.

Sonny McCartney is a photographer who hopes that what he creates will live longer than he does. He describes his journey as passionate. From an early love of graphic design to music photography and eventually opening his own studio in his hometown of Liverpool, every step of Sonny’s 18-year career holds deep personal significance for him. When Sonny was younger, he moved to London because Liverpool did not yet have a photography studio like the one he would later go on to create himself. He believes that the role of a photographer should not cross ethical boundaries and feels that, unfortunately, paparazzi culture has cast a shadow over the profession as a whole. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to his own principles. One of Sonny’s most powerful projects is Don’t Mind Me, which explores mental health and documents the real-life experiences of people who have faced it. Through this work, he both filmed and photographed participants, creating an honest and deeply human record of their stories. Sonny spoke with Asya Radko, founder of Drive Music Media, about his project Don’t Mind Me, his work supporting artists after amputation and people with disabilities, the creation of his own studio, and what exists beyond the frame of his camera.

Angelina Spilnyk is a writer who believes that stories should not be simple. For her, literature is an opportunity to reveal new perspectives, challenge familiar ideas, and invite readers into a world where every layer hides another meaning. She is drawn to complexity, symbolism, and questions that rarely have straightforward answers.Whether writing about memory, migration, war, technology, or identity, Spilnyk explores the connections between personal experience and the broader forces shaping our lives. Her work ranges from therapeutic fiction and poetry to speculative narratives that examine humanity's future and the societies we build.Her stories have appeared in several Ukrainian anthologies, including Light Between the Lines, Beyond Yourself, and Prose of a New Era. Alongside her shorter works, she is currently developing her epic poem Peccata Mundi and her debut novel Steppe Stork.About her literary journey, the challenges facing contemporary Ukrainian writers, the stories closest to her heart, and the mission she carries as an author, Angelina Spilnyk spoke with Drive Music Media.

Danyil Shpudeiko is a Ukrainian poet, songwriter, and co-founder of the band “Tonkyi Marsh” — a project that emerged not from a calculated career plan, but from a need to transform thoughts, social tension, and personal freedom into music. Having spent most of his conscious life in sports before unexpectedly stepping into the music industry, Danik never considered himself a traditional musician. For him, music became a channel for poetry, reflection, and honest conversations about society, politics, inner conflict, and identity. Together with his bandmates, he built “Tonkyi Marsh” as a space where lyrics matter more than trends and where songs are meant not simply to entertain, but to provoke thought and emotional response. Danik shared with Drive Music Media the story behind the band’s creation, the philosophy of their music, the meanings hidden inside the mini-album Painted Souls, the challenges of creating art during wartime in Ukraine, and why freedom remains the defining word of his art.