Parnassus may be the name of an impressive mountain in Greece, but it is also the name of Taylor University’s equally impressive undergraduate literary journal. 61 years after its first publication, the newest edition was released for all students to read.
This long-running journal’s mission, as can be seen in each copy of Parnassus, is to “curate truth and beauty by publishing our community’s creative work.”
To do this, according to Abigail Franklin, senior English major and Parnassus Editor in Chief, students will submit their works ranging from poetry to paintings. These submissions are then voted on blindly by the Parnassus staff.
“I think it’s one of the best ways that everyone on campus gets to come together under one umbrella,” Franklin said.
To make such an impressive collection that has existed for such a long time, the process to publish starts early. The process of creating a new Parnassus edition begins in August so the journal can be printed in April. The staff team made up of students in ENG 300: Literary Editing & Publishing work hard to put Parnassus together all year.
One of the main difficulties in publishing Parnassus comes in determining which works make it into the journal.
“It can be hard at times because some of the works are really great and deserve to be in the journal,” said Katherine Bodkin, junior and Parnassus staff member. “But then sometimes there are other works that we come across that are even more deserving.”
Every piece in Parnassus is written by students and reviewed by students. Each year, Parnassus releases advertisements for students to submit. Finally, a theme is selected — this year’s theme was Prismatica.
Dr. Aaron Housholder, English professor and faculty advisor for Parnassus, said, “This year's [theme]... is probably my favorite of the 12 issues I've directed because of the style and design and content. It's a masterpiece.”
One journal from each year of Parnassus is then collected and stored in the university’s archives for future generations to look back on the incredible work done by prior students.
“We strive to collect and preserve whatever our students are creating in this moment at Taylor, in part to celebrate those creations and in part to preserve those voices and visions for posterity,” Housholder said.
Parnassus is currently being distributed on the second floor of Reade next to Dr. Housholder’s office. It is highly recommended that as many students as possible try and grab a copy of this year’s Parnassus edition.
“It’s part of our duty as literary citizens to encourage young authors and young artists in supporting their work and enjoying it,” Bodkin said.
If you have an interest in publishing your own work in next year’s edition of Parnassus, keep a look out next year for open submissions. If not, then grab a copy and support the hard work that was put in to create an incredible journal.
