By Shea Rattan
The Shinnery Review isn’t just for writers and artists anymore. Beginning this year, musicians can get in on the act, too.
Formerly known as the Pickwicker, the Shinnery Review is an annual student-produced magazine that showcases literary works, such as essays, short stories of fiction and nonfiction and other kinds of prose.
In recent years, the magazine has also published more artistic works, including photos, drawings and song lyrics. This year, however, the Shinnery is also accepting audio works. Spoken poetry, monologues and songs can all be submitted and will be on a CD included with the magazine.
Mary Hardegree, senior English major from Abilene and co-editor of the Shinnery, said the staff didn’t want just poetry in the magazine.
“We wanted to branch out,” Hardegree said.
Editor in chief Lydia Melby, senior English major from San Antonio, said its goal is simply to “provide ACU students an outlet for creative work.” She said many students are hesitant to submit works to larger publications, and this is a more comfortable way for them to express themselves.
The Shinnery accepts submissions from any undergraduate or graduate student, including non-English majors.
“Students can go and view the work of their peers and feel inspired,” Melby said.
Students are finding having a published work looks good on a resume, in addition to creating a sense of pride, said co-editor Tanner Hadfield, junior English major from Abilene.
“It just feels good to get something published,” Hadfield said. “It’s great to be able to say, ‘I’m a published author.'”
To spread awareness and gain more funding, the Shinnery will sponsor an event to bring an author to campus to share some of his or her works and discuss what it’s like to be a professional author.
“We get a lot of musical talent to come, so we wanted to get someone different and who knows the ups and downs of writing,” Hadfield said.
The details of this event are yet to be announced. The staff also is organizing an event toward the end of the semester where this year’s issue of the Shinnery will be available to students free of charge.
Dr. Shelly Sanders, faculty sponsor and assistant professor of English, called it the Shinnery’s “coming-out party.”
The staff will host the party at the Shore Art Gallery where there will be various readings, food and fellowship.
Shinnery staff members will also set up a booth in the McGlothin Campus Center and distribute the publication to students during finals week, Melby said. If students are unable to pick up a copy in the Campus Center, they can contact the editors – e-mail addresses are available at www.acu.edu/students/shinnery – or send an e-mail request to shinnery@acu.edu.
