River Bluff Review accepting student submissions until Friday
The "River Bluff Review" is currently accepting submissions until Friday for publication consideration photo courtesy of "River Bluff Review"
The “River Bluff Review,” SIUE’s student literary journal, is accepting submissions until February 7.
Advanced creative writing students in English professor Valerie Vogrin’s English 494 class edit the publication. The editors are accepting poetry, prose (fiction, creative nonfiction and non-academic essays), short plays, graphic narrative, photography, drawings and photographic representations of art in other media (black and white only). Works must not have previously been published.
Vogrin said she encourages submissions even if students may feel reluctant to submit.
“I think rejection is part of the writer’s life so there’s no reason to try to avoid it,” Vogrin said. “For the students who are rejected it’s a badge of honor because they took their own work seriously. It’s a huge thrill for those students whose work is accepted.”
According to Vogrin, each year they receive approximately more than 200 literary submissions and about 100 visual art submissions. Roughly 40 literary pieces and 10 arts pieces, including the book cover art, are published.
Vogrin said each year the publication is something students and faculty are proud of.
“It’s a unique showcase for the talented student body. Something they can hold in their hands…This is kind of a launching pad for publication at a higher level,” Vogrin said.
The journal was created in 1991, existing first as an extracurricular activity, and, more recently, as the product of the literary editing course according to Vogrin.
The 18 student editors will read the submissions, made anonymous by Vogrin. Students whose work is accepted will be notified early March. A release of the publication will likely occur the final Wednesday before semester’s end where a public reading will take place.
The publication is funded by the College of Arts and Sciences and each year approximately 750 copies are printed and distributed.
For more information about submission guidelines, visit www.riverbluffreview.com.
Filed Under: English Language & Lit • General CAS Stories
