What is a Literary Journal?
When scheduling my classes for Spring 2021, I had no idea what a literary journal was. My advisor (who, coincidentally, also used to work for Tributaries) suggested Professor Brian Brodeur’s course, ENG-W 280: Literary Editing and Publishing. As a lover of literature, I was intrigued; not only did the class fulfill my degree requirements, but it sounded interesting. I enrolled, unsure what to expect. I could not have predicted how this course would change my life.
Combing through the syllabus on day one, I discovered that a large portion of our grade was based on reviewing submissions to the school’s literary journal, Tributaries. A literary journal was a form of media that I’d never heard of before. When I saw that I would have to read and analyze poetry for the class, I was less than thrilled. But I was pleasantly surprised—not only did reading submissions transform my disposition towards poetry from dread to delight, but it gave me knowledge and appreciation for the literary publishing industry. Working with Professor Brodeur, who is also the Faculty Advisor for our journal (though this semester, Professor Tanya Perkins is stepping in), made me realize that editing is my dream career path.
So what is a literary journal?
As I entered into this course full of experts, I was embarrassed to admit that I didn’t know what a literary journal was or what it did. Professor Brodeur and the staff humored my ignorance. A literary journal is a publication designed to foster an appreciation for creative works. They generally accept creative arts in a few forms:
- Fiction
- Creative Nonfiction
- Poetry
- Visual Arts
- Essays/Criticism
- Interviews
The list varies, but there truly is something for every humanitarian. In fact, you’ve probably heard of a few prominent journals, even if you didn’t know that’s what they’re called: The New Yorker, The Paris Review, The Southern Review, etc. If you’re a college student in Indiana and (like me) this is your first time hearing of this, please consider submitting to Tributaries. We are passionate about showcasing the work of young creative writers and artists. To learn more, click here.
