By Ian Proano | Echo
Taylor's English department has begun the process of creating this year's "Parnassus" literary journal, the same one that has showcased the talent of students on campus for over 50 years. The journal includes poetry, prose (fiction and nonfiction) and visual art, all of which is created and submitted by students.
A team of 14 members comprise the university's long-running publication. One is head editor junior Malaina Yoder, who is new to the team this year. She has a passion for putting together pieces of art for the Taylor community to enjoy.
Yoder said, "The Echo chronicles the events of what happens and some of the opinions and feelings of what happens on campus, but 'Parnassus' gets this unique chance to chronicle the soul of what happens."
The "Parnassus" team actively searches for excellence in craft. They receive approximately 350 submissions every year but can only accept 70, so the team must choose what they publish carefully.
Currently, the "Parnassus" team is focused on marketing and advertising for the project. Their first task was to come up with a theme. They chose "skin."
Junior Camy Hanna, an editor on the team, said, "I think the idea behind (this year's theme) was to show people that skin is universal."
However, submissions don't have to keep to the theme.
Though "Parnassus" is run by students, assistant professor of English Aaron Housholder assists as the journal's faculty advisor who guides them in curating this unique collection of art. He cares deeply about the expression of truth concerning the human experience. This will be his seventh year advising the journal.
"Taylor has this beautiful opportunity for the people here to share their best selves, their creative crafted selves, and then we get to record that and keep it," Housholder said.
The team wants to use the literary journal as a space for students to publish art that is honest about the human condition, and they won't settle for anything less. The inclusion of strong language and tough subjects is acceptable as long as those elements work toward getting at the soul of a subject and don't use devices gratuitously.
Students are invited to submit their prose, poetry and visual art online to be considered for "Parnassus." The deadline is Oct. 17 at 11:59 p.m. The submission guidelines are outlined on their website: https://parnassus2017.submittable.com/submit.
