The annual student-produced literary magazine, The Mockingbird, is gearing up for publication this semester. Backed by the Department of Literature and Language, this year’s edition hopes to highlight marginalized voices.  

The editors for this year’s edition are graduate students from the Department of Literature and Language, Emily Wilson and Jake Lawson. Their backgrounds in English and creative writing inspired them to take on the editing position.  

Wilson describes The Mockingbird as “A way to celebrate all different creativities and outlets that people have across campus.” It features multiple genres of writing like poetry, drama, fiction and non-fiction from ETSU students across all majors. “It’s all very creative, vibrant and eclectic,” said Lawson.

Photo of The Mockingbird. (Contributed/ETSU)

This year, the call for submissions encouraged people from minority communities to submit their work, with the option to be anonymous. The response was overwhelming, “We had such a big outpouring,” said Lawson. “I feel like this may be one of the biggest Mockingbirds yet.”  

“I’m really excited to have an issue where marginalized voices are championed,” said Wilson. “It means a whole lot to people on this campus who are within those communities.”    

Wilson and Lawson hope to publish The Mockingbird by the Spring Literary Festival April 17 and 18 , using the event as a launch party. Physical copies will be distributed throughout campus and uploaded on the archive section on the Department of Literature and Language website.    

Lawson has been enjoying the process of designing and working on the publication. “I’m so proud to be a part of this whole endeavor,” said Lawson. “This has been so much more than I ever expected it to be, I’m surrounded by really great people.”    

Students wishing to submit for next year’s edition will have the chance in the fall semester. The submission page can be accessed on the Department of Literature and Language website.  

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