Submit now, it’s not too late!
“The Mockingbird,” ETSU’s student arts and literary magazine, is currently accepting submissions for its 45th issue. Published yearly, “The Mockingbird” showcases written works such as poetry, drama and non-fiction as well as photography, printmaking and other visual and functional art media.
This year, Kara Russell has been named editor over written submissions by ETSU’s Department of Literature.
Russell is a graduate student at ETSU, pursuing her Masters of Art in English as well as a certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). She has accumulated experience writing for and editing her undergraduate school paper at Earlham College in Indiana. She takes her new role in assembling “The Mockingbird” seriously.
“I feel that it’s a privilege to have access to peoples’ writing and efforts…I want people to know that each submission will be given its due and read with respect. Even if it doesn’t make it into the journal, it will be considered and evaluated to honor the work that went into it,” Russell said.
As the editor, Russell has an important role in making decisions; however, each submission is read “blindly” by a committee. She has offered some keen advice regarding the artistic gateways that can elicit potential for student writers.
“Be open to whatever presents itself, or suggests itself, as worthy of writing. Identify themes… Writing, free-writing and just letting things float around can be very daunting, so it helps if you have a sense of a purpose with your writing,” Russell said.
Whether you’re working in poetry or prose, you may be onto something that could really touch the minds or hearts of readers for years to come.
“The reader should realize that the author is speaking some sort of truth…It doesn’t necessarily have to be truth in a factual sense but something that has some sort of impetus for existence,” said Russell
ETSU students consider this: If your writing contains a sense of purpose, either in a personal or public convention, you may be on the cusp of making an important contribution to our school and community. The only thing that’s stopping you is yourself. Make your submissions to “The Mockingbird” by Nov. 6. on paper by 4:30 p.m. or electronically by 11:59 p.m. More information can be found online.
