ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Student Media welcomes a Literary Review
There are many media outlets available for students on campus, ranging from print sources to TV and radio. But at least one is noticeably missing. After The Marquette Journal, previously a literary magazine, became a student life magazine this past year, the Marquette community no longer had a strictly literary outlet. Now that’s about to change.
The Marquette Literary Review is Marquette’s new online literary journal, designed to publish the best creative writing pieces in Marquette’s creative writing community.
It replaces the English department’s yearly contest, which was meant to showcase the best student work, but which was not very visible, said Angela Sorby, associate professor of English and faculty coordinator of the MLR. “The MLR will allow student work to be recognized but, more importantly, to be read,” she said.
While not a literary magazine in the traditional sense, the MLR is intended to serve as a small literary portal for writers at Marquette.
Jamie Bolker, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences and an intern and general editor of the MLR, has high aspirations for the budding Web site.
“I hope that the MLR can serve as outlet for Marquette students to express their creativity and receive the recognition they deserve for their work,” Bolker said.
While the MLR is not a student organization and therefore does not receive university funding, students are still welcome to submit their original fiction, poetry and essays. Because it is so closely related to the English department, other students may feel intimidated to submit their work, but creative-writing professors said they are supportive of all submissions.
“In my students’ work I look for clarity, originality, complexity and a level of technical proficiency,” visiting professor Larry Watson said. “I also look for a unique voice. I’d advise (students) not to be shy about submitting their work. Revise your story to the best of your ability, and then submit it and see what happens.”
The MLR staff agrees with Watson.
“Creative writing is growing and thriving at Marquette, and we hope the MLR will reflect this vitality,” Sorby said. “We also hope it will encourage students, not just English majors, to try a creative-writing class. These courses are fun, and they’re practical because they can help people from all walks of life think more creatively.”
The MLR is anticipated to be completed and posted in May.
Tags: creative writing, English, literary review, literature, media, review, writing
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