Review Process Gives Creative Writing Students Industry Experience

 
Some creative writing students recently received real-world experience through a collaboration with a respected literary journal.
 
Students in ENG 504/G: Flash Non/Fiction Workshop reviewed submissions for SmokeLong Quarterly, a highly regarded journal in the flash writing field. Flash is a genre primarily characterized by the length of the work, typically less than 1,000 words.
 
“Alongside that overarching definition, though, is the importance of compression – of an awareness that the story needs to feel complete within that space – and attention to word choice takes it into a realm close to prose poetry,” said Abby Manzella, assistant professor of English and creative writing.
 
In an effort to provide students with hands-on experience, Manzella reached out to SmokeLong Quarterly for a potential collaboration. As the class is comprised of graduate and advanced undergraduate students, the partnership was mutually beneficial. The journal got a fresh set of eyes on their submissions, and students gained more familiarity with the flash genre.  
 
“Flash – especially flash nonfiction – is by far what I write the most of, so I always enjoy every opportunity to learn more about it and especially find more great writing to be inspired by,” said Kat Butler, a student in the class.
 
The students spent a week reading submissions. The class then collectively recommended three pieces for publication. Manzella facilitated the opportunity so her class could develop their understanding of the genre, as well as the high-caliber of the writing considered for publication.
 
“This is work that first helps them as writers to see how the attention to character, setting, story and tone all need to be just right in order to be selected. It will help them to think about the process of refining their own work for publication,” Manzella said. “They also gain professionalization that will prepare them for future internships and employment in the publishing industry.”
 
The pieces the class recommended have moved on to the next round of the selection process. Students in the class also get a group publishing credit for an interview they did in SmokeLong Quarterly regarding the project.
 
ENG 504/G is part of the Master of Arts in English program. As an online course, it includes students from all across the country. Manzella plans to offer the class again in a future semester.