American Literary Magazine’s office has been in constant motion all semester. Facing a quickly approaching deadline, the student-led staff has been busy putting the spring issue together to be handed over to the publisher on April 3.
Often referred to as AmLit, the magazine accepts photography, art, poetry and prose submissions from both undergraduate and graduate students at American University. Earlier this semester, the staff voted in a blind review process to determine which pieces would be included in the semester’s publication.
Currently, members of the design and copy staff are working to refine the accepted works and fit them together in the final publication.
Along the way, the student staff members learn valuable professional skills, such as collaboration, communication and management.
“I like that AmLit provides a professional creative outlet for students who go to American,” said Matt Shor, assistant design editor. “It allows for students to run a magazine and express themselves and their artwork in a professional manner.”
Senior editors-in-chief Marlena Serviss and Annie Buller oversee the bi-annual production of the magazine on top of schoolwork, jobs and other responsibilities.
“It’s challenging doing this and trying to be a decent student and having an off-campus job because this in itself is like a full-time job,” said Buller. “Sometimes it’s hard to figure out when I have time for everything.”
Time management and flexibility are key, added Serviss.
“You never know what is going to be thrown at you,” she said. “Last semester, we had a major copy issue. We didn’t know that was coming, but we dealt with it. It’s hard in the moment, but you realize that you’re in charge of it and it has to get done at the end of the day.”
However, both editors-in-chief agree that the opportunities and confidence that AmLit provides to the undergraduate staff are highly valuable.
“Now I can say Look, I keep track of a staff of thirty, I deal with this huge budget, I have to plan meetings, I have to do all these things, and I’ve been doing it successfully,” said Buller. “It’s been great to know how capable I am.”
For the hard-working staff, the final publication is the ultimate reward. Planning for the final semester “release party” has already begun. There, staff members will share some of their favorite works with the campus community.
“It comes out as a really neat, beautiful, tangible piece that you get to share with other people and see people on campus with,” said Serviss. “It’s just a small thing, but you realize I did that. It’s a different feeling of accomplishment than you get with anything else.”
Reporting 2013 