Explore the diverse array of campus literary magazines contributing to the university's thriving literary community.
Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Boundless/Translate Iowa Project

Translate Iowa Project logo.

 

Photo of Translate Iowa Project Co-President Abigail Kloha.
Co-President: Abigail Kloha
Photo of Translate Iowa Project Co-President Sayedeh Ariana Iravani.
Co-President: Sayedeh Ariana Iravani

Translate Iowa Project: The Translate Iowa Project is a student-run organization at the University of Iowa committed to providing an outlet for voices of all backgrounds. TIP consists of a diverse group of writers, editors, and translators who share a collective love for creative work, cultural inclusivity, and linguistically open spaces. Through translation, TIP aims to present all language-specific contexts so that they are readily available and understood by everyone. They believe it is essential to portray the original and translated works as individual pieces that are valued equally and share the same intrinsic meaning. 

 

Boundless: Their spring publication Boundless is a literary magazine of student work branching anywhere from creative prose, drama, poetry, and artwork, granting the students who submit a chance to show off their writing in a professional way. As part of the Boundless editorial board, students gain experience in working on the submission, editing, and promotional techniques common to any large-scale, real world literary publication. 

 

History: TIP was started in 2016 by an undergrad, and since then, they’ve published eight issues of Boundless. They’ve also worked on translation projects with people outside of the university, like local community members and companies. 

 

Future: Because they currently receive 95% of submissions in English—requiring their translators to translate from English to another language—the Translate Iowa Project hopes to increase their language variety and receive more submissions in different languages. Additionally, they hope to become a bigger resource for students by providing information on translation jobs, job fields, study abroad, internships, and books to read. 

 

Favorite Part: 

  • Kloha: I love the diversity of studies that we have in the Translation Iowa Project. There are a fair amount of translation or creative writing majors, a variety of language majors, but also some people in the sciences (like Sayedeh) that want to do translation. It's refreshing to hear such a range of experiences, and it's also nice that we can let each other know about different activities hosted by our respective majors. Also, because of our different languages, there is such a wide range of interests and travel experiences. Conversations are always so interesting, and upperclassmen always offer great advice too underclassmen. 

  • Iravani: My favorite thing about TIP is [that] it’s not just about the publications or the magazine itself. It’s really about the people. What makes TIP so different is that we bring together members from all kinds of backgrounds, different majors, religions, cultures and even though we’re all so different, we share this one thing: a love for learning languages and translating. Honestly, I don’t think I’d have met most of these people in any other setting. For example, I’m taking chemistry classes next semester, so I’ll probably be surrounded by other science students most of the time. But in our meetings every Sunday, I get to walk into this little TIP community where we all come together, and it’s just so unique and special. I also really love how being a co-president has pushed me to grow as a leader. It’s taught me to balance being organized and professional with still bringing my personality into the role. Every year we have new translators and sometimes new exec members, which means fresh ideas and exciting possibilities for events. It’s wild to think about how much TIP can evolve, and I’m so honored to be part of it. 

 

“Danny in the Magid Center is so, so awesome for us. For example, we often have complicated typesetting because we have multiple languages in our publication—each language must have its own font and, as in the case for languages like Arabic that don't read left to right like English, some have completely unique formatting. Danny is always super helpful and patient with us—we couldn't do anything without him and his team in the Magid Center. The English department is also great, because they are our way of connecting with the artistic side of translation. Some translators that only study a foreign language/translation are scared to take risks or maybe don't read pieces as closely as they should—classes, students, and professors of the English department help us think more creatively.” – Abigail Kloha, Boundless / Translate Iowa Project

Catharsis

Catharsis magazine logo

 

Photo of Catharsis Co-Founders Lillian Giddings and Madeline Riske.
Managing Editor: Lillian Giddings (left), Editor-In-Chief: Madeline Riske (right)

What is Catharsis? Catharsis is a creative nonfiction literary magazine created by University of Iowa undergraduate students for University of Iowa undergraduate students. It aims to showcase writing that explores the human experience. They encourage the exploration of nonfiction as a genre of literature and a vessel for interpreting our reality. Catharsis believes in the power of storytelling and the catharsis it brings to writers and readers. The logo, featuring a moth, symbolizes the transformative power of writing. 

 

History: Giddings and Riske launched Catharsis in 2023 because they saw creative nonfiction as a growing genre on campus. They were eager to create a platform that would encourage undergraduate students to explore and express themselves through this form of writing. When they presented our vision to Danny, he was “unbelievably supportive.” 

 

Future: Currently, Catharsis includes anonymous confessions in the interior of the magazine, but because of their increase in popularity, Catharsis hopes to make a zine just for confessions in the 2025 spring semester. 

 

Favorite Part 

  • Riske: My favorite part of Catharsis is our confessions. Our anonymous confessions are short blurbs that students at the University of Iowa can use to express their truth in its rawest and briefest form. I like that our confessions eliminate the pressure that someone has to be a “writer” to be able to voice their truth. Our amazing designer, Lauren Smith, turns these confessions into works of art that we post on our Instagram. I find it incredibly compelling to look at another person’s secret and realize just how deeply interconnected we all are, often more than we realize. Dare I say, it’s cathartic! 

  • Giddings: My favorite part of Catharsis is that it brings together the diverse experiences of University of Iowa undergraduate students into a physical object. It’s so inspiring to see the talent and self-reflection that students are capable of forever cemented in the pages of a book. I also love putting our contributor’s pieces in conversation with each other and seeing some of the common themes and emotions expressed in different volumes of Catharsis.

 

Catharsis would not have been possible without the unwavering support of the English department and the Magid Center. Danny’s assistance was integral to the creation of the magazine, as he answered our many questions and encouraged us to pursue our passions. The Magid Center has been there to help us through each step of Catharsis’s creation, from helping us create our manual, putting us in contact with publishers, and kindly providing us food and supplies for our launch events.” - Giddings & Riske, Catharsis

Cave Writing

Cave Writing Mag logo

 

Photo of Cave Writing's Co-Executive Editor Margo Keller
Co-Executive Editor: Margo Keller

What is Cave Writing? Cave Writing is a literature magazine for novelists, publishing longer fiction monthly in the form of standalone chapters on their website. Cave Writing hopes to inspire novelists to keep working on their stories. The name “Cave Writing” has multiple meanings: 1. Literal cave writing is one of the first pieces of evidence of human storytelling, showing the history of writing, 2. The cave that people would come back to at night is a community space to tell stories and to find solace from whatever is happening in the world, and 3. Like real cave writings, Cave Writing receives individual chapters from a novel out-of-context. They hope to build community for novel writers and combat the belief that novel writing is a lonely event. 

 

History: In 2021, roommates Elizabeth Sloan and Kimberly D. Herbstritt came up with the idea for Cave Writing in the cave-like, pillow and blanket-filled nook underneath their dorm's high-captain bed. Both Elizabeth and Kimberly wanted to create a space solely for novelists on the campus of the University of Iowa. They found writing short stories took away time from their novels, so they decided to create a place for novelists to publish their writing and still continuously work on their longer fiction. Under the twinkle lights taped on the bottom of the bed, they decided to make Cave Writing 

 

Future: Cave Writing wants to create a podcast talking about what Cave Writing is about and helping writers through NaNoWriMo or the general writing process. They also hope to include speakers, like their published writers. Additionally, they hope to create more community-oriented events and emphasize a space for writers to come together and have fun. 

Favorite Part 

  • Keller: The niche we fill is my favorite part about our magazine. It's cool because you don't really realize how many people are working on these big novel projects and have all these ideas in their head because it takes so much effort to write a novel. It's cool to be able to talk about something I'm really passionate about when you never really get to talk about it in class. Sometimes it feels like a secret that I'm writing a novel, [but] it’s not, and it’s cool to expand upon that and create a community. 

  • Capito: From a younger age, I was involved in this community of novelists who were working to write books and get books published, [which] was really empowering to me as a writer. [It’s] really sad that [other] communities are maybe not as deeply tapped into or created within communities of writers. So, my favorite part is beginning to play a role, to share the magic of that experience with other writers who are maybe only now finding people who are also writing novels and getting to share about this incredible passion that we're all working on and working towards. I think it's something that's really magical to create that community and to play a role in it.

 

“The Magid Center is like a blessing because I can't imagine being a student org without Danny—being able to speak to someone directly with pretty easy access. There’s so many student organizations [that] it's really hard to get the funding, the information, or just assistance you need. So, the Magid Center is just great to be like a community specific for the lit mags on campus. And also, I'd like to thank all the professors that let me stand there awkwardly and talk about Cave Writing before class starts.” – Margo Keller, Cave Writing

earthwords: the undergraduate literary review

Earthwords mag logo

 

Photo of earthwords Executive Editor Sophia Considine.
Executive Editor: Sophia Considine
Photo of earthwords Managing Editor Elana Walters.
Managing Editor: Elana Walters

What is earthwords? earthwords: the undergraduate literary review showcases the best literary and artistic endeavors of students attending the University of Iowa in an annual magazine. Their publication provides its staff with the experience of producing a literary magazine in real-time by ethically reading, selecting, and supporting the work and authors found in every issue. The earthwords team is committed to broadening its accessibility, empowering our community, and promoting equity and justice for underrepresented voices. Although the team, style, and length change every year, earthwords’s dedication to promoting the diverse array of undergraduate creative works is a constant. 

 

History: earthwords was founded in 1981 and will celebrate its 45th issue’s release in April 2025. It was “The Original University of Iowa Undergraduate Creative Arts Magazine” and is still going strong. 

 

Future: In the spring 2025 semester, earthwords will be hosting its first genre-based chapbook contest, where they will publish five chapbooks—one per genre of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, drama, and art. Additionally, the earthwords staff hopes to initiate more collaborative events between student organizations and businesses in Iowa City. 

 

Favorite Part 

  • Considine: My favorite part about earthwords is our dedication to uplifting diverse voices and perspectives while bringing the literary and artistic communities of Iowa City together. I think it’s important to emphasize the importance of all types of art and creativity because of how connected they are. An art piece can influence a poem, a poem can influence an art piece; a nonfiction piece can inspire a fictional story or a play. I love that earthwords takes a little bit of everything—of each genre, of community, of diversity—and stitches them together to become an annual publication and a caring group of people. 

  • Walters: My favorite part of being on the earthwords staff is working with some of the most talented writers and editors on campus! There’s so much history and pressure that comes with being part of the oldest lit mag on campus, but our mission of inspiring and collaborating with the larger community has really made earthwords thrive for all these years. 

 

“The Magid Center has been incredibly helpful, whether that’s with finances, magazine design, or navigating conflict, especially Danny. The English department is what keeps the content and the people coming, so I couldn’t be more grateful. Without all the wonderful professors and the encouragement to keep writing and getting involved, earthwords and all the magazines on campus wouldn’t exist.” – Sophia Considine, earthwords: the undergraduate literary review

Fools 

Fools mag logo

 

Co-Editor-In-Chiefs: Mackenzie Kanach, Te’a Ritchie

What is Fools? Fools Magazine is a semiannual print magazine and digital publication with all issues free and available to the public. Their mission is to curate an honest narrative of this little sector of the universe. Fools is collaborative, workshop-based, and committed to multidisciplinary work. In print and online, Fools Magazine stands out for its unique dedication to writers and artists alike, for the intensity of its language and design-work, and for its insistence on making the arts accessible, especially for the Iowa City community. 

 

History: Fools was founded at the University of Iowa during the summer of 2016 by Mary Mathis and a team of creatives in a backyard. Mathis later wrote in the inaugural issue, “we’ve been waiting for this magazine, and we decided to screw waiting. We made it happen.” 

Horizon 

Horizon mag logo

 

Photo of Horizon's Editor-In-Chief Maddie Zell.
Editor-In-Chief: Madigan (Maddie) Zell

What is Horizon? Horizon provides undergraduate students an opportunity to publish and create an annual collaborative literary magazine. They accept all genres including but not limited to: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama, and photography. As a publication, Horizon’s mission is to explore the dichotomy of new horizons. Horizon seeks to make a place for our writers, poets, and readers to share and engage with their experiences with hope, whether it be their journey towards hope through dark times or their arrival at a place where it thrives. 

 

History: Horizon was created in 2020 in the midst of the pandemic when hope was, more often than not, a distant thought in many minds. The founders wanted to give everyone a reason to keep pushing through the tough times by providing this outlet and a space for everyone to connect in isolating times. 

 

Future: Horizon will be open for submissions in January 2025, and they will host a launch party for the new issue in late April or early May. Horizon is also open to the possibility of hosting or participating in more literary events this coming year. 

 

Favorite Part 

  • Zell: Being in conversation with our readers, writers, poets, and even staff members, I have heard many stories about how our content and theme have resonated with their personal lives and experiences on so many different levels. It is so fulfilling to know that we are helping produce and share content that truly impacts those who consume it. This year, my wonderful staff is committed to continuing our mission and creating the best edition of Horizon possible. Getting to exist in and engage with our literary community is something I am grateful for every day.

Ink Lit Mag 

Ink Lit Mag logo

 

Photo of ink lit assistant publisher Lynne Inyoue.
Assistant Publisher: Lynne Inyoue
Photo of ink lit editor-in-chief Jill Nied.
Editor-In-Chief: Jill Nied
Photo of ink lit managing editor Ollie Naber.
Managing Editor: Ollie Naber

What is Ink Lit Mag?Ink Lit is a literary magazine created by first-years for first years. Conceived, edited, designed, staffed, and promoted by residents of the Iowa Writers Living-Learning Community, Ink is open to submissions by all first-year University of Iowa students (regardless of major/area of study) as well as alumni of the IWLLC. Apart from the Assistant Publisher and Alumni Editor, every staff member is a first-year student seeking publishing experience. In learning about what it takes to run a publication, Ink Lit’s staff members get to lift up the voices of their fellow first-years and create a space for budding writers to share their talents with the community. The magazine is published biannually, and reading periods run during the beginning weeks of both the fall and spring semesters. 

 

History: Ink Lit Mag was founded in 2011 by a group of first-year students from the Iowa Writer’s LLC. At the time, there was only one lit mag on campus, and these students realized there was a lack of publishing opportunities for undergrads—first-years in particular. To address this gap, Ink was founded with the help of literary magazine publisher, Daniel Khalastchi, to provide a space for new voices and help first-years get involved. - Inyoue 

 

Future: In the future, Ink wants to expand their presence in the community and organize more events. They will be hosting a poetry slam soon, hoping to focus on giving first-year students more opportunities to get themselves and their works out into the world in ways other than just the magazine. 

 

Favorite Part 

  • Inyoue: My favorite part is watching everyone grow with the magazine! Last year, when I was a freshman, I remember being so nervous to move to Iowa. But once I joined Ink (and got comfortable with my classes and friends), I became much more confident. Now, as an upperclassman, it's been an honor to get to know our staff and watch them adjust. 

  • Nied: My favorite part of this experience so far has been reading all the amazing submissions we received. The talent at this University is truly incredible, and we had such a difficult time selecting the final pieces. It’s really exciting to see this much talent coming from students who have only just arrived at the University, and I can’t wait to see what they all will be producing further into the future! 

  • Nader: What I love about Ink Lit is the opportunity it gave me to dive head first into managing a highly-talented and dedicated staff. I used to run my high school newspaper’s newsroom, and while I loved that, this has been a completely new experience in the best way possible. Every interaction I have with our staff members teaches me something new, and I’m incredibly grateful for their willingness to listen and learn alongside me. I can definitely see myself using the skills I gain here in my future endeavors. 

 

“I initially learned about Ink Lit when I joined the Iowa Writers Living Learning Community, a program supported by the Magid Center in conjunction with UI Housing and Dining. Being part of the IWLLC and Ink Lit has helped me to see the breadth of what the Magid Center does and the deep impacts it has on students just like me. I’m grateful to have these literary opportunities at my fingertips, and they’ve reaffirmed my conviction that the University of Iowa is the right place for me. I couldn’t be prouder to be an English and Creative Writing student at Iowa!” – Ollie Nader, Ink Lit Mag

New Moon

New Moon mag logo

 

Executive Editor: Sydney Smithgall 

Managing Editor: Dennie Addis

 

What is New Moon? New Moon Magazine is a literary journal at the University of Iowa specializing in flash fiction, flash nonfiction, and short poetry. It's released monthly and it comes in the form of just one sheet of paper, printed front and back with work from undergraduates. New Moon Magazine promotes the literary voices of undergraduates at the University of Iowa by providing the University and Iowa City community consistent, curated access to those voices. Through its accessible format, frequent publication, and presence in public spaces, New Moon aims to be a central element of how the public experiences literature in Iowa City. Through its accessibility, New Moon further aims to promote other campus literary publications and foster an enthusiastic joint-readership. New Moon also provides its staff with the experience of producing a literary magazine on an intensive schedule and adjusting to the reactions of its readership. 

 

History: New Moon Magazine was founded in 2020, and the first issue was released in March of the same year.

snapshots

snapshots mag logo

 

Executive Editor: Noelle Franzone

Executive Editor-in-Training: Olivia Bishop

Head of Outreach: Josephine Geiger-Lee

Head of Outreach-in-Training: Katie Henry

Artistic Director: Hannah Cargo

Artistic Director-in-Training: Kyleigh Call

 

What is snapshots? Snapshots is a magazine for children’s literature that publishes once per semester. They intend to involve writers, artists, educators, and anyone who wants to help in creating a magazine that is accessible to children ages 4-14. Snapshots emphasize community throughout the University and Iowa City. By working closely with the children’s hospital, they hope to make a positive impact in the community through fundraising, community service, and appreciation of the arts. 

 

History: In 2021, Josephine Geiger-Lee, Hannah Cargo, and Noelle Franzone created a plan during the week before their first semester at the University of Iowa. This was inspired by seeing the Iowa Wave, and by their hope to create something that makes people happy without an emphasis on “highbrow literature.”  

 

Future: Bishop hopes to focus on the continuing growth of Snapshots through the first transition in leadership—continuing to strengthen their values within community and spread their roots. Snapshots will honor their values and amplify their mission in the years to come. 

 

Favorite Part 

  • Franzone: Every staff meeting we have, I am met with the most positive, passionate people I have ever met at my time at Iowa, and it is so wonderful to be spending time around them and to be learning with and from them. 

  • Bishop: It’s a reminder of how important children’s literature is within the sphere of literature and in writing as a whole. Something we all connected with is how children’s literature has shaped us as humans, as readers and as writers and is why so many of us want to go into writing as a career. So, I think it’s something that needs to be a reminded passion. I love seeing people get excited when we tell them about Snapshots. 

  • Geiger-Lee: During our first year, me and Amritha were talking about how kids of color aren’t really represented in lit, and both of us identify as women of color. I think one thing I absolutely love that Amritha has done every single issue is that there are always kids of color on those pages. Being able to have these pieces of literature where you look at it and it’s like, “it is a really beautiful brown girl accompanying a poem.” I love that we get to help champion that. When I got to show them the first Snapshots, it was so cool—the first thing they asked was “Can I make a Snapshots?” and now they both want to be little writers.

Venus Magazine

Venus mag logo

 

photo of venus mag executive editor Grace Westergaard
Co-Founder / Executive Editor: Grace Westergaard
photo of venus mag creative director Kylie Henderson
Co-Founder / Creative Director: Kylie Henderson

What is Venus? Venus is an undergraduate magazine dedicated to publishing fiction and poetry of the romance genre. They believe that all writers should be uplifted and feel safe to share their stories in our publication, regardless of gender, sexuality, or background. Venus will consider any genre as long as the piece has elements of romance within it. 

 

History: Venus is the newest literary magazine on campus—fall 2024 is their first semester being an organization. Westergaard and Henderson worked with the Magid Center over the summer to create a strong mission statement and prepare to launch during the fall semester. Venus was started because they noticed a lack of appreciation for romance writing and writers across campus. 

 

Future: Venus Magazine’s first issue will be released in December. They hope to host events in the future (they have some in the works!) and collaborate more with other magazines. The main goal expressed by the co-founders is to see Venus as an established magazine on the University of Iowa campus. 

 

Favorite Part 

  • Westergaard: My favorite part of Venus is the community aspect of it! I am so grateful to be able to be involved in an organization that is dedicated to romance writing. We just hired our 2024-2025 staff, and I could not be happier with how wonderful our group is already. 

  • Henderson: My favorite part of Venus is being able to see the campus response to us. I was not expecting the joy and excitement from other English majors (and non-English majors, but romance readers) on campus. Having the privilege to not only be a part of Venus's creation, but to be a part of the campus's excitement over having a romance magazine and bringing representation to a genre that has long been deemed "not academic enough" has been overwhelming, but in all the best ways.

 

“If it wasn't for the Magid Center and Daniel Khalastchi, we wouldn't have known how to start Venus. We are extremely grateful for the support and help they have given us along the way.” – Grace Westergaard, Venus

Wilder Things Magazine

Wilder Things mag logo

 

Editor-In-Chief: Tatum Cuttell 

Editor-In-Chief Assistant: Lauren “Ren” Kern 

Marketing Director: Josephine Geiger-Lee

Managing and Production Director: Braja Servin

Managing and Production Director Assistant: Janessa Wilson

Treasurer: Myah Bauman

 

What is Wilder Things? Wilder Things Magazine is an undergraduate literary magazine dedicated to upholding speculative work. First coined by Margaret Atwood, the term "speculative fiction" refers generally to hypothetical works made beyond the limits of humanity and its current conditions. While it is an expansive genre, the “subgenres” Wilder Things has collected and publicized are mythos, horror, romance, historical, sci-fi, fantasy, comedy, and magical realism. It centers itself around combating elitism in the academic literary canon and publishes intercollegiate work from around the world. 

 

History: Wilder Things Magazine was founded in 2020 on the Writers LLC floor in Stanley by a group of students who felt there wasn’t a place for their speculative work on campus. Since then, they’ve released 8 volumes and are currently working on the ninth this semester (fall 2024). 

 

Future: In the future, Wilder Things Magazine is planning to integrate an online store into their website, expand their influence throughout the literary community, and spearhead the creation of a literary-specific purple/white twist graduation cord. 

 

Favorite Part 

  • Tatum: Our staff is a hardworking bunch who are also so funny and creative. It’s amazing getting to know everyone and I’m excited for the world to get to see their hard work. 

 

“Having the support of the Magid Center gives us the chance to continue publishing speculative fiction, we appreciate them and the continued support of the English majors at Iowa and abroad.” – Tatum Cuttell, Wilder Things Magazine

Zealous

Zealous mag logo

 

Editor-In-Chief: Abby Wedemeyer 

 

What is Zealous? Zealous is the University of Iowa’s first and only lifestyle and culture magazine. Zealous is dedicated to making an impact through art, fashion, storytelling, photography, and all forms of creativity. They strive to provide an inclusive creative outlet by giving students interested in the magazine industry a place to publish creative work related to arts, culture, entertainment, style, social justice, and all things Gen Z. Alongside posting content online, Zealous publishes a printed magazine each semester for the Iowa City community to read and enjoy. 

 

History: Zealous was founded in 2024, and its first issue was released in the spring of 2024 titled, “nostalgia.”