BY EMILY JONES / VARSITY NEWS STAFF WRITER
2018 marks a special year for Detroit Mercy’s student-run literary journal, [sic].
This year is the 25th anniversary of the annual publication, a literary mash that contains short stories, poems, drawings, photographs and more.
Never limited to one genre and covering myriad topics and feelings, [sic] is a literary Frankenstein (in a good way).
Its goal?
To give Detroit Mercy students an opportunity to express themselves while at the same time having their works published in a legitimate journal.
English professor Dr. Rosemary Weatherston has been faculty advisor of the publication since 2000.
She has a background in creative writing and directs the Dudley Randall Publishing Center.
She said the upcoming issue is going to be a throwback, with a mix of new submissions and some of the best work from past issues.
There is a misconception on campus that only English majors may submit to the journal.
Not true.
“Contributors come from all areas of the university,” said Weatherston.
Over the years, hundreds of students have contributed to [sic].
Cal Freeman did. He is now a published poet and author.
He got his start by having his works published in [sic].
What originally drove him to write?
“In short, my parents,” he said. “But in a larger sense, I look at writing, especially poetry, as a spiritual act. I get to interact through prosody, technique and theme with my favorite poets of the past. So I guess the ghosts of past poets like Robert Lowell and Emily Dickinson inspire me, too."
Freeman advises students interested in submitting work to [sic] to read a few past issues.
“Figure out which pieces among their work fit the best stylistically,” he said. “It’s also important to submit polished pieces and to avoid the temptation of submitting your most recent work.”
He thinks it’s better to submit work “that has been read by peers and mentors and revised according to their feedback.”
“Sometimes we have a presentist relationship to our own writing and this can be counterproductive to submitting work," he said.
Antony Nedanovski, a current student, is co-editor of [sic].
What inspires him?
“My favorite music, certain events from my childhood and the mundane things that strike me as peculiar typically find their way into my writing as something of fact,” he said. “The way words can manipulate, bend, weave and conjure stories is probably the most inspiring part of it all.”
Students interested in contributing or getting involved may contact Dr. Weatherston at weatherr@udmercy.edu.
The journal is published every year in late spring, either May or June.
“We love to see all forms of creative writing, as well as visual art such as photography and drawing,” said Nedanovski. “My advice is to make yourself known. Many of you likely hold great, creative works that should be seeing the light of publication. Don’t fret, we won’t sting.”s
