Inscape prepares for 2021 issue, opens for submissions

Inscape, William Jewell College’s literary magazine, has opened for submissions for its 2021 issue. The magazine publishes works of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, art and other creative endeavors by students at Jewell. Jenna Hultgren, editor-in-chief of Inscape, and Dr. Ruth Williams, professor of English and faculty advisor for Inscape, discussed the magazine’s plans, detailed the publication process and encouraged students to submit their art.

“Students are able to submit regardless of class, major, or level of experience. Our goal is to feature the creativity of Jewell students in a professional environment while also offering leadership positions in management and editing,” Hultgren said.

“Inscape is Jewell’s student arts magazine. Edited by [a] team of students from a variety of majors, it features creative writing as well as visual and digital art (music, video, etc.) by current Jewell students. The goal of Inscape is two-fold: 1) to serve as a platform to showcase and celebrate the creative output of Jewell students across a variety of genres to audiences both on-campus and beyond and 2) to provide an educational opportunity for student editors to develop publishing, leadership and other administrative skills,” Williams elaborated. 

During the spring semester, Inscape receives student submissions, selects which pieces to include in the magazine and uploads and releases the final product. 

Submissions to Inscape are open from Feb. 1 to 28. After the submission window, editors of Inscape will review all submissions and make selections in March. Once selections are made, the web editor will assemble the online magazine. Inscape plans to release the 2021 edition in April. With COVID-19 conditions permitting, they hope to have an in-person celebratory event after the publication.

Hultgren explained how COVID-19 has impacted Inscape as the publication historically had printed releases but is currently planning to publish the 2021 edition virtually.

“[COVID-19] has impacted Inscape in many ways. The editing team is unable to meet in person, so we communicate through texting and Zoom calls. Advertising is also difficult, as hall events in residence halls are scarce and having a table at the union is time consuming and not a promised way of promotion. We are also unable to make paper copies at this time, though that could change as we reevaluate our budget,” Hultgren said.

“[L]ast year we could not publish a paper issue companion to our web issue as we had no easy way to distribute it; instead, we offered an affordable, purchasable commemorative 2020 paper issue (which includes all of the same content as our web issue minus digital-only content) via our website. We are exploring doing the same again this year; as much as paper is wonderful, our website is a more efficient way to distribute our content to a wider audience,” Williams said.

The Inscape editorial team consists of an editor-in-chief, managing editor, a team of genre editors, a web editor and a faculty advisor, who acts as a facilitator for the editor-in-chief and managing editor. The editorial staff ensures the quality of submissions, and Hultgren explained that, although their titles are officially as editors, the staff make very few changes to the content of submissions in order to maintain the original vision.

Hultgren and Williams emphasized that Inscape is eager to receive submissions from all students who are interested.

“I’d like students to know that we really do want to see your creative work. I know there are many more writers and artists on campus than students who submit to Inscape. While it can be scary to submit your writing, art, music, or digital content, doing so gives you the chance to contribute to the artistic ‘conversation’ on this campus. Having your work considered by your peers is a wonderful thing; even if it leads to rejection, your work has been encountered by an audience, the very thing most of us creative types want if we’re honest. To that end, as all working writers and artists know, one rejection can’t stop you; so, if you’ve been rejected before, I encourage you to re-submit,” said Williams.

Hultgren reiterated Williams’ statement.

“We accept any and all submissions for evaluation. We are also switching it up this year to allow authors to remain anonymous if they please. We hope this will encourage shy authors and artists to still feel encouraged to share their creativity,” Hultgren said. 

Submissions to Inscape can be made at their website through Feb. 28. Inscape also plans to have a joint event with Art Club in the near future, so keep an eye out for their event.