Inscape – William Jewell College’s artistic magazine that publishes poetry, fiction, non-fiction and art from Jewell students – released its 2021 edition on April 23, honoring several contributors later that night at the Celebration of Honors.

Four contributing writers and artists received Student Publication Awards this year: Michaela Esau for Inscape Poem of the Year; Jenna Hultgren for Inscape Fiction of the Year; James Hobbs for Inscape Creative Nonfiction of the Year and Kenton Fox-Horst for Inscape Fine Art of the Year. 

Three poems by Esau, junior Oxbridge literature and theory and communications major, were published in the new edition of Inscape: ”The Ninnescah River,” “Paper Crane People” and “Laid Plans.” She emphasized the importance of being in nature and drawing on personal experiences as inspiration for these poems.

“I just love being in nature and I write whatever words that come to mind,” Esau said. “I think it’s easier to write in nature. ‘The Ninnescah River’ was about the time I spent in summer camp and my experience of growing up in church. I think that’s a big part of my life and that was something I reflected on in the poem. ‘Paper Crane People’ is just kind of about how to be a good person. It’s just a combination of different experiences.”

The 2021 issue of Inscape featured many of Jewell’s artistically-inclined students including Esau, Faith Harris, Krista Halstead, Kenton Horst-Fox, Savannah Hawley, Jenna Hultgren, Sequoia Crissman, Erin Gray, James Hobbs, Thom Hennelly and Isabel Warden. 

Although the magazine will not be printed this year, the new issue can be found on Inscape’s website and a physical copy can be purchased for $7.88.

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.

Inscape, William Jewell College’s literary magazine, is published every spring and features student submissions. Although the magazine’s team has experienced several changes for the 2020 fall semester, they are still working diligently to prepare for the spring 2021 publication.

Jenna Hultgren, sophomore English and psychological science major and editor-in-chief of Inscape, explained the selection process for the pieces featured in Inscape.

“Students can submit poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, digital art, photography, visual art, music, theatre piece or any kind of creative work. The editors go through a selection process, and the pieces that make it through end up published in the final product,” said Hultgren.

Hultgren also emphasized that anyone of any skill level can submit pieces to Inscape, adding that not only is it a way to share creative work but also looks attractive on future applications and resumes.

“We would like the Jewell community to know that anyone can submit creative works to us. We accept any and all creative pieces. We’re always in need of more submissions, and it looks great on your resume to have been published somewhere!” said Hultgren.

While preparing for the spring publication, the Inscape team is working through a number of challenges this year due to COVID-19 and recent staff changes.

“Due to COVID-19, we no longer have the budget to continue with our paper copies, so everything will be online. Most of our editing staff graduated last year, so Cameron White – our current fiction editor and last year’s editor-in-chief – and I are the only returning members from last year’s staff,” stated Hultgren.

Despite the significant changes to the staff, Hultgren is enthusiastic and looking forward to seeing how the publication goes with the new team that has been assembled.

The Inscape team consists of Hultgren; Managing Editor Savannah Hawley, senior French and Oxbridge literature and theory major; Poetry Genre Editor Sydney Bass, senior English and Spanish major; Fiction Genre Editor Cameron White, senior English major; Creative Non-fiction Genre Editor Hannah Koehler, senior English and psychological science major; and Art Genre Editor Isabel Warden, sophomore public relations major. 

The Inscape team is still looking for a web editor who will manage the website, publish the final product and will also have a say in the progression of Inscape. If interested in the position or wanting to submit a piece for print consideration, email Hultgren at hultgrenj.19@william.jewell.edu.

For many currently self-isolating at home, art has been a wonderful – and some would say necessary – comfort during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of this week, there is more local art to enjoy. Inscape, William Jewell College’s literary magazine, announced its 2020 release via Moodle April 22. The student-run literary magazine typically hosts an annual release party to celebrate the work of its student creators and editors. However, due to the current shelter-in-place order and closure of Jewell’s campus, festivities surrounding the print release were cancelled. Readers can view the online publication of 30 different pieces by student creators by visiting Inscape’s website. As well, those wanting a physical copy of the magazine can purchase one by visiting the purchase tab of the site.