When Clarkston alumni Amanda Nichols needed advice on how to start a college literary journal, she knew just where to turn ? fellow alum Lindsay Tigue.
‘Lindsay Tigue runs the Red Cedar Review at the Michigan State University,? Nichols said.
The review is a student-run journal, which showcases fiction and non-fiction writing and art.
‘They’re really cool ? there was nothing like them at the University of Michigan,? Nichols said.
She launched a journal at the university, Oleander Review, in October.
She sent e-mails around the country to attract entries.
‘We targeted colleges with good creative writing departments,? Nichols said.
She and a staff of about 40 received 150 submissions in four genres, poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and artwork.
‘That was a lot to read,? she said. ‘But it was a great start.?
They are still in the process of narrowing the selections to about 25 entries.
Tigue, 2003 graduate of Clarkston High School, helped revive Red Cedar Review at Michigan State.
‘I was looking for something like this ? my roommate knew someone who knew about it,? she said.
The literary journal includes fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, edited and produced by students.
‘I was interested in getting into publishing,? Tigue said.
She appealed to fellow students and alumni for entries and support.
‘I designed a brochure for alumni. I sent it all over,? she said.
Pieces for publication are selected through a judging process. Readers in each genre check each submission and vote ‘yes,? ‘no,? or ‘maybe.? Three ‘no? votes mean an early cut. Then they have meetings to whittle them down to about a dozen in each genre.
Tigue was an active student writer at Clarkston High School.
‘I’ve always been interested in creative writing,? she said.
The literary journals are an important way of getting good work published, she said.
‘They showcase good writing,? she said. ‘So much doesn’t get published.?
Recently graduated, Tigue is heading to Chicago on an internship with Independence Publishers Group. She will work in marketing and sales.
Nichols is set to graduate at the end of the summer. Plans after include a trip to Florence, Italy, to study renaissance art, then a job search for something in publishing.
‘I’ll play it by ear,? she said.
The literary journals are sold in university and local bookstores.
For information and online ordering of the Oleander Review, check www.umich.edu/~olndrrvw.
For subscriptions and information for Red Cedar Review, check www.msupress.msu.edu/journals/rcr.