The IU Southeast Review showcases the best writers, artists, photographers and poets that the campus has to offer.
The review is a magazine that is published annually with the best submissions in short fiction, creative nonfiction, flash fiction, poetry, graphic short stories, unique studio art and book reviews.
With a submission deadline of Sept. 19, Tom O’Neal, senior lecturer in English and faculty adviser to the IU Southeast Review, is gearing up and preparing the student editors for this year’s edition of the review.
O’Neal said the review is a great opportunity for students to have their work published.
“It is difficult to get published in the publishing world, to have stories or a poem published in a magazine establishes publishing credentials,” O’Neal said.
Submissions for the IU Southeast Review are open to any IUS student. Students do not have to be an English or literature major to submit work.
O’Neal said he would like to see students from disciplines other than fine arts submit work. However, there are some works that are not accepted.
“We do not accept scholarly research writing, we only accept creative writing,” O’Neal said.
Not only is the review completely student submitted work, but it is also student produced. Even the cover for the magazine is designed by students.
“I am there to provide guidance and maintain the budget,” O’Neal said.
O’Neal also said students who are interested in becoming editors should have submitted work for the review in the past and been through the process of their work being scrutinized.
Senior editor and literature senior Jana Morgan said she agrees with O’Neal.
“It is important that all editors have gone through the entire process of submission,” Morgan said.
As student who has submitted work in the past, Morgan said it helps if an editor knows what it is like to have your work read and judged by others.
“Most people are nervous about submitting, but this is a really great opportunity for students,” Morgan said. “If your submission is published it looks fantastic on a resume or portfolio. It shows employers you can think critically and outside of the box.”
Morgan said when the works are judged, editors look for well balanced pieces that are easy to read.
“The written work must appeal to the majority, it must be interesting, have layers and speak to the reader,” Morgan said. “Well crafted pieces speak for themselves.”
Although works should be submitted electronically with student’s name, home address, phone number and e-mail address, this information is only used to contact students if their submission has been selected for publication.
All of the information is removed before the work is reviewed. All work is judged blindly, this aspect of the judging Morgan said is paramount.
Students who are interested in submitting work for the IU Southeast Review may stop by the Writing Center for submission information or send submissions directly to Jana Morgan, littleblackletters@gmail.com by Sept. 19.
If for some reason students do not have an electronic version of their work, but do have a hard copy, contact Morgan via e-mail.
By AMY STALLINGS
Staff Writer
akstalli@ius.edu
