Features Reporter
Many famous writers seem to appear out of nowhere. They publish one great book that gets them wildly famous, but these writers have to start somewhere. The CMU Literary Review is one of the many places writers can start their publishing career.
On Thursday, the Literary Review held a reading to honor the authors, poets and artists that were published this year.
“Although it is a little nerve-racking to read in front of a large group, the English department is small and the students are relatively close knit, so it’s actually a comfortable and safe environment,” writer Chelsea Jurgens said. “We have all had classes together and read or critiqued each other’s work before, so it’s easy to share because you know you have everyone’s support.”
The Review is a great place for student writers to submit to because the magazine is not as competitive, or as selective as most professional magazines. Instead, the Review caters to students by publishing student work.
“The publishing credits are very important to our writing careers,” editor of the Review, Heather Portenier, said.
Being published in the Review helps students to get other publications to look at their works more seriously.
“It’s just an opportunity. It’s also nice to see your name in print,” poet Suzanne Bronson said.
Due to the small group of writers at CMU, some of the writers help one another with their work. The writer gives their piece to a friend, who reads it and then gives feedback. Sometimes this process happens as a class, but other times it happens outside of class.
“It’s great to hear other writers read their work, especially if it’s something you have read in workshop or as a friend,” Jurgens said. “It’s always wonderful to hear new voices, different styles and genres, and get to experience a piece or author you may already know in an entirely new way.”
Not only is the magazine geared toward student publications, but it is also run by students with the help of a facility advisor.
“You get to see the other side, the selection process,” Portenier said. “As an editor, you’re looking at the piece and you’re picking it apart, comparing it to other things you’ve read, making a decision, is it good enough to publish? Then I go back to my own work and say, ‘Wow, I can see why they didn’t choose that.’ It’s nice having both the publishing perspective and the writer perspective.”
Next year, Jurgens is set to take over the editor position with assistant editor Sarah Cooper.
“I hope that while everyone has some down time this summer that they will be writing and thinking about submissions for next year’s issue,” Jurgens said. “We are hoping to create a bold issue and really looking for writing and art of all types, and from all genres and majors, particularly anything that has strong voice and intention. Heather and Tim created a fantastic issue this year, and Sarah and I are hoping to follow it with another strong publication. We look forward to reading what CMU is writing.”
jkirk@mavs.coloradomesa.edu
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