On Thursday, Feb. 25, the IUS Review staff held a release party to kick off their newest edition. Staff and contributors were there to read some of their work.
Melanie Smith, English junior and editor of the IUS Review, said the purpose of the magazine is to showcase students’ writing.
“[The purpose] is to spread literature and art to the campus,” Smith said.
The IUS Review features fiction, nonfiction, poetry and art in the magazine. All the contributors and staff for the IUS Review are students, and Tom O’Neal, senior lecturer in English, has been the faculty adviser for four years.
“I just really enjoy being the faculty adviser,” O’Neal said.
Smith said the IUS Review is its own organization on campus, but many editors and contributors are a part of the English Club.
O’Neal said the IUS Review is a client of the IUS Design Center and receives a new graphic design student each year to help put the magazine together. The new student will take on the project for credit toward their degree. O’Neal said the IUS Review is part of the IUS Design Center.
“We really appreciate that service,” O’Neal said.
The IUS Review is funded by Student Activity Fees. O’Neal said it cost less than $3,000 for 600 copies. Richard’s Printery in Louisville prints the magazine.
The release party started with O’Neal and Smith thanking many people, like the student body for the funding, and the contributors for all their hard work and great material.
“The content is top-touch,” O’Neal said, during his speech.
Ben Traughber, psychology sophomore, read two of his poems, “iPod Guy” and “Neon Girls.”
Traughber said he likes the IUS Review because you don’t have to be an English major to submit your writing and provides students with a way to be heard.
O’Neal said the IUS Review has been coming out since the mid-1970s. The IUS Review comes out once a year. Submissions for the magazine are usually received in the spring and early fall. Smith said some of the editors read over the submissions during the summer and then come back in the fall to review and vote on them. A unanimous decision is preferred, but, if not reached, then the majority will win.
Staff Writer
aafrench@imail.iu.edu