Update: The deadline for submissions has been extended to Friday Feb. 15.
Have you ever dreamed of having your creative work published? You have the perfect opportunity with Writers Magazine. The magazine, published yearly by the English Department, gives UP students the chance to see their visual and written pieces in print. The deadline to submit work for this year’s publication is Feb. 8.
Writers Magazine is a student-run annual publication. Its two editors, senior secondary education and English double major Kristine Foo and senior English major Emily Nelson, work with an editorial staff to select student works that best represent UP. The magazine was first published in 1977, and this will be the magazine’s 43rd edition.
Students can submit up to three written and three visual works for the magazine. The written pieces are limited to 2,000 words and can include poetry, short stories, plays or proses. Visual works can include anything from photography to paintings to comics or cartoons. These will also be considered for the magazine cover. All submissions can be sent to up.writersmag@gmail.com.
When all the works are submitted, the senior editors along with their team of five other editors evaluate each submission independently and then come together to choose the pieces that will be published. To avoid bias, submissions are anonymous during the evaluation process.
In terms of what the editors are looking for, Foo said that they just want to see the creative minds of UP students. Foo believes that Writers Magazine gives students a new way to express their thoughts and ideas.
“It’s really important to give a space for students to be empowered,” Foo said. “To have their voices heard in a different, more unique way.”
Although the magazine is published by the English department, students of all majors are encouraged to submit their creative work.
“We like to see things from all the different fields,” Foo said. “It’s supposed to represent UP, and not just one department of UP. It’s a place for all of us to shine.”
After its publication, the team will organize a release party during which they will read all of the published pieces and hand out free copies. For those unable to attend the party, the English Department will hold on to available copies.
The 2019 Writers Magazine will be published in April close to Founder's Day, but there is no official release date yet. Meanwhile, you can find last year’s edition here.
Foo encourages all students who love creating art to submit their works. She believes that it’s a great opportunity, especially for students who aren’t typically involved on campus.
“It’s a way to get involved especially for people who aren’t normally involved for other school activities or are typically introverted and don’t necessarily participate in the traditional way,” Foo said. “They find a place through writers to feel like they are a part of something.”
Anush Hakobyan is a reporter for The Beacon. She can be reached at hakobyan21@up.edu.
