Literary publishers and organizers offer advice and anecdotes on success

Literary publishers and organizers offered advice and anecdotes during a discussion on “Adventures in the Literary Arts.” (Photo by Jane Blakelock)

Tips on how to start a literary magazine, become involved in the local literary community and launch a career in creative writing came out of a panel discussion at Wright State University that attracted aspiring writers.

Students, staff and faculty gathered in the Pathfinder Lounge in the Student Union on Feb. 19 to take part in “Adventures in the Literary Arts,” which featured stories of literary success from the panel of local editors, authors and organizers.

The panelists included Nathan Floom and Jason Teal, founding editors of Heavy Feather Review; Hannah Stephenson, organizer of Paging Columbus!; Fred Kirchner, organizer of Gem City Poetry Stage; and Denis Loranger, editor of Mad River Review.

They discussed their experiences in the publishing and creative writing fields, offering advice for the up-and-coming writers who filled the room. The panelists offered encouragement and guidance on how students can start their own literary magazine or become involved in the local literary community as a reader or writer.

“It’s important to see what different cities have going on as far as the literary community is concerned,” said Kyleigh Jones, a senior creative writing major. “The panelists definitely provided important information in regards to what places are doing readings and open mics in the Dayton and Columbus area.”

A question-and-answer session followed the panel discussion.

“It was nice to see my fellow students raise questions that were beneficial to all of us at Wright State,” said Jones.

The Wright State Creative Writing Program organized the event. For more information on the panel and to get in touch with the editors, authors and organizers, contact Erin Flanagan, Ph.D., associate professor of English, at (937) 775-3136 or erin.flanagan@wright.edu.