Stylus Guest Column
I was introduced to a friend of a friend this semester. He was a business major who, upon hearing what my major was, snorted at me and said, “English major? Oh, so you’re an arts and crafts major?” Let’s face it. Respect for the arts and humanities is dying, and it’s been dying for a long time.
As the world and this campus turn toward the sciences, business, law and all things corporate, there are very few organizations on the campus dedicated to the prosperity of the arts, dedicated to a pair of roomy jeans and a faded T-shirt instead of a lab coat or a crisp power suit. Stylus, which is celebrating its 21st year of publication this year, is one that has survived the test of time. I am the editor in chief of Stylus, this university’s literary magazine. We are an organization that exists and thrives on two things: the creative talent and passion of university students. The magazine is a creative talent that has been garnered through the Jiménez-Porter Writers’ House, an on-campus living-learning program. Through Stylus, students are free to get their prose, poetry and art pieces published. Our first deadline for submission is Dec. 15.
Don’t get me wrong. I respect the science, math and business majors who take precedence on this campus and in the world. I only hope to remind everyone that the arts deserve some respect and attention, too. As more financially lucrative areas of study rise to the forefront, avenues for writers and artists in college to get their names out are becoming smaller and smaller. Stylus offers an easy way to enter the publication world, and if you’re interested in working in publishing, the Stylus team is a great group to get involved with. We have poetry, art and prose boards that help decide what gets published, not to mention layout and design groups that design the magazine every year.
For those of you who want to pursue a career in the creative arts, whether through writing novels or short stories, crafting poems or painting, Stylus is an avenue for you to express your talents and get yourself published as an undergraduate. Now, while you’re still in school, is a great time to get a publication under your belt. That way, when you submit your writing to other publications in the future, they will be more willing to publish your work in the future.
The need to look for a job to pay back your student loans and get the hell out of your parents’ house will take precedence once you graduate. Creative writing will take a backseat. For now, you’re still a student, still living in a community that encourages you to learn and explore your talents. When you graduate, that bubble will burst. The best time to get yourself published is now, when you still have the time.
Stylus exists solely to showcase this university’s students. Don’t graduate without taking advantage of the opportunity, and let us show off your talent before you graduate. Submit your creative work at www.styluslit.org/submit.html by Dec. 15.
Maya Motayne is a senior English major and editor in chief of Stylus. She can be reached at mayamotayne@gmail.com.
