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Show Westminster's literary magazine 'Ellipsis' debuts J.P. Dancing Bear and Madeleine Mysko conclude annual Poetry Series Sara Herrmann StaffWriter Thousands of literary pieces are submitted to Ellipsis, Westminsters literary magazine, every year. On average, less than 50 are selected for publishing. The highly selective magazine has been a part of Westminster history since 1966 and has enjoyed continued success this year. On April 18, Ellipsis staff revealed the magazine after a year of hard work. The debut came in conjunction with the 2007-0- 8 Anne Newman Sutton Weeks Poetry Series. The series runs throughout the academic year and features visiting authors who present their poetry. At the Ellipsis unveiling, two visiting authors and judges of Ellipsis, J.P. Dancing Bear and Madeleine Mysko, read from their new books. The pair also selected pieces from Ellipsis to be read. "The fastest way to make your first million is by writing poetry." Emily Alaniz Natasha Saje, adviser of Ellipsis and professor of English, said that magazine submissions come from all over the country. She also said that 20 submissions included this year came from countries outside the U.S. Works submitted include poetry, fiction and creative n. The magazine also accepts digitally submitted artwork, such as paintings, drawings and photos. Book reviews and literary criticism are not accepted. People of all ages and nationalities submit pieces, yet only a select few are chosen. It is a very selective magazine, Saje said. After reading more than 2,000 submissions, the staff selected 44 poems and five works of fiction. Ellipsis also published 3 pieces of artwork. There is no limit on how many pieces are submitted by an individual. Rewards for published authors or artists are $10 per piece. The Academy of American Poets also awards students for their writing. The Ann Newman Sutton Endowment of $450,000 pays for the Poetry Series, and the endowment also goes toward the Academy non-fictio- of American Poets Student Award. A $100 allotment of the endowment is awarded to a student from Westminster. Last years winner was Emily Alaniz. down to their favorites, Alaniz said. The editor-in-chi- ef makes the final cut of what is put in the magazine. All selections are made during fall semester. Dur- Alaniz, an English major, wrote the poem Ladybug last spring and won the Academy of American Poets Student Award and $100 prize, along with publication in Ellipsis. Alaniz is now an Ellipsis staff member and still enjoys writing. Its just something I do for fun, Alaniz said, then joked. The fastest way to make your first million is by writing poetry. She plans on being on the staff until she graduates. I enjoyed it, she said. According to Alaniz, after submissions are received they are read and rated by editors. The editors then share the selections with the rest of the staff so everyone can talk and debate about the pieces. The editors whittle it ing spring semester, the staff sends out rejection letters and prepares for another issue of the magazine. Its just nice to see the final product, Alaniz said. Her favorite part is reading the first submissions and finding work that is publishable. "The magazine is getting better every year." Natasha Saje Alaniz and Saje both said that Ellipsis does not receive many Westminster student submissions, but that it is still interesting to read pieces from other parts of the county. Alaniz said that so many people on campus still do not even know about the literary magazine. Saje said that there are two important objectives to One is to give Westminster College stuEllipsis. dents professional experiences in literary editing, she said. Saje continued and said, To give the college liternational exposure by producing a high-quali- ty ary magazine. Saje is also very proud of submissions because they are sometimes later published in a book. The magazine is getting better every year, Saje said. According to Saje, Ellipsis advertises in two ways. The advertisements can either be viewed online at www.poems. com or via Writers Chronicle, which is read by more than 30,000 teachers and students of creative writing. As part of the Poetry Series this year, visiting professor Nance Van Winckel taught writing classes at Westminster. Van Winckel also taught a free community workshop which both students and members of the community were eligible to apply for. The Ellipsis class is offered every year. There is no set number for the amount of students, Saje said. The class is open to all students, said Saje. The class is one credit, but students without an available credit are welcomed as well. Anyone interested in the Ellipsis class, submission or the magazine in general may talk with u, at Saje. She can be reached through 6. or by phone at ail nsajewest-minstercollege.ed- 832-237- 3 APRIL 22, 2008 |