Concordia students have the opportunity to submit works of literature or art to The Aerie, the CUI journal of creative writing and art, for publication. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 3.

Submitting to The Aerie is a process that is highly individualized and beneficial for those involved in the creative process. Kristen Schmidt, faculty advisor for the literary side of The Aerie, said, “Student graphic designers and editors are involved in every aspect of the production from the call for submissions, to the selection of creative work, to the design of the journal. They collaborate to produce a high-quality, literary and arts journal that they are then able to cite on resumes and submit in portfolios as evidence of their creative work, journalistic prowess, capabilities in project leadership and service to the university. Students whose work is selected for publication enjoy many of those same benefits.” 

Jessica Danger, Professor of English, said, “Any student that submits to The Aerie, whether they are accepted for publication or not, gains the experience of submitting to a literary journal. The process of publication as a professional writer can be daunting, and starting in places where you have a community base helps provide a safe landing ground in that experience.” She also added, “The Aerie helps students leave their career at Concordia with a documented publication. This can help you apply to grad school, start a writing resume, or just add to your general ‘street cred’ or brag [to] home to your parents.”

Seth Skogerboe, an editor for The Aerie, said, “You have a chance for your art to be seen, heard, or read all around Concordia’s campus. Before that, though, you have an even greater opportunity -- to have that same work read and worked over by a handful of students and a couple of professors who care just as much about excellent art as you do.” Schmidt said, “Each submission is read ‘blind.’” She added that “Writers and artists are notified about the status of their submission [in the] spring semester, and The Aerie is published in April.”

There are great reasons to read The Aerie even if one does not submit work for that edition. Schmidt said, “Readers find it interesting to see what the Concordia community is doing creatively and especially enjoy seeing the work of people they know. In addition, we connect with creative work through our intellect, feelings, imagination and experience. The image, or poem, or story, may sit on the page for us to view and analyze, but each of us will be moved by it, connect with it, and experience it based on what we bring to it.” Rachel Soo, faculty advisor for the visual arts side of The Aerie, added, “We hope that those who read the publication will find inspiration and take some downtime to relax and check out work from students, alumni, faculty and staff.”

Schmidt added, “The Aerie is published online and can be found on both the English Department and graphic design websites. It’s also published in hard copy for distribution to the Concordia community and its supporters.”

Danger added, “The Aerie is also open to submissions from alums, faculty and staff! Also, you don't need to ‘be a writer’ to submit something. Just try it! See what happens.”

Skogerboe said, “The Aerie is a phenomenal forum for saying things that matter in a way that can be heard by many. Come raise your voice with us.” Soo added, “As a designer and artist myself, I understand that it can be intimidating to share your creative work with others. Participating in the open call is an excellent opportunity to experience the submission process, share your work, and be considered for publication.” Schmidt said, “I’d like to encourage everyone to submit something to The Aerie! We’re all most critical of our own work, but there’s nothing to lose and everything to gain by sending creative work to The Aerie for consideration.”

Soo said, “Working collaboratively with Prof. Kristen Schmidt is rewarding; each year, we strive to make the journal better than the year before.” Schmidt said, “Prof. Rachel Soo, Chair of the Art Department, and I share the work of advising for The Aerie and that collaboration is extremely rewarding. We both enjoy working with the student editors and graphic designers, as well as the student review panels, to produce The Aerie.”

Submissions for literature can include drama, short fiction, creative nonfiction, and/or poetry while submissions for art can include studio and/or digital art. All literary submissions should be submitted to concordia.aerie.lit@gmail.com while all art submissions should be submitted to concordia.aerie.art@gmail.com. For more information, including faculty contact emails, visit https://www.cui.edu/academicprograms/undergraduate/english-writing-modern-languages/aerie.

 

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