Thursday, Feb 18, 2016
Students invited to submit short stories, essays and poetry to Rider's literary magazine
by Emily Hart '16
Rider’s literary journal, The Venture Literary and Art Magazine, gives all Rider students, as well as faculty and staff, the chance to have their literary and artistic works available to the public. Students are able to participate in the magazine in a number of roles on the editorial board, which allows them to experience putting together a first-rate literary journal, as well as having their own work appear in print.
Venture's new student editor, Dan Witwer '17, has plans to bring changes to the magazine for the fall 2016 issue and encourages more writers and artists to submit their original pieces. "Venture should display the entire creative student body,” he says, adding that he hopes submissions will expand to include songs, scripts, and any kind of art or creative prose in addition to the short stories and poems that are usually considered.
Rider has a long tradition of publishing a literary magazine. Its first, The Rough Rider, is home to what could be considered the first official Rider poem, “Life.” Written in 1927 by editor-in-chief Donald M. Wells, the poem is still remembered decades later and serves "as the cornerstone of creativity for aspiring poets and artists alike at our school," according to an article written by Joseph Pizza '02 on Venture's website.
Dr. Matthew Goldie, English professor and Venture’s faculty advisor, emphasizes that "freedom reigns" when it comes to submissions. "We really want it to be not just English majors," he says. Venture is interested in publishing all forms of writing, drawings, paintings, pictures, and even collages of any topic by students of every major. Its mission is "to stimulate, and perhaps elevate our thinking.” To people that are planning to submit to the magazine, Goldie advises to "avoid clichés and clichéd subjects" and to remember that "it doesn't have to rhyme."
You can read past issues of Venture by picking up a copy from the English Department office in Fine Arts 319. Submissions for the fall 2016 issue will have a deadline in mid-April. For more information, questions or submissions, email[email protected].
Finally, if you're looking to get involved in a position with Venture, please send an email to the above address that includes your major, experience and what you feel you can bring to the magazine. The current positions available include copy editor, publicist, web designer and art director.