The past 3 issues of Summit Avenue Review. The St. Thomas literary magazine puts out an annual edition with submissions from the St. Thomas community. (Sam Larson/TommieMedia)
It is important to writers like Matthew Batt, especially in these times, to get recognition and affirmation for their work. St. Thomas literary magazine Summit Avenue Review gives a chance for that recognition and affirmation in a diverse and inclusive community.
The magazine encourages all St. Thomas community members to submit their creative work. The magazine accepted online submissions until Feb. 15 and will release its 2021 edition in early May.
“When people don’t see and feel a tangible way to share their work,” Batt, the magazine’s faculty adviser, said. “It can feel insular and isolating.”
The magazine has historically printed entries of prose, visual art and poetry. In the 2020 issue, the magazine included comics for the first time in its history, all in a physical, printed copy.
After spending so much time in isolation, Summit Avenue Review provides creators with a positive place to share their work.
“We all tend to be much more judgmental and brutal toward our own work,” senior and Summit Avenue Review editor Izzy Iliff said. “Other people will see a lot more promise and potential.”
The magazine is edited and curated by a team of student editors and displays art from the St. Thomas community. Editors anonymously review submissions for inclusion in the magazine.
“It encompasses both visual and written material from St. Thomas faculty, staff, students and the surrounding community,” Iliff said.
All student poetry and prose entries were automatically entered into the Lon Otto Prize in Creative Writing, which is $500 split between two student winners: one in poetry and another in prose.
Summit Avenue Review was created by Otto, who was the faculty adviser for 34 years until he retired. Otto taught in the English department and is professor emeritus of English.
“After I took over, we decided to create a creative writing prize in his honor,” Batt said.
In the St. Thomas community, Batt said the magazine has received submissions from organizations such as the Diversity Activities Board and the Open Mic Club, as well as the theology and philosophy departments.
“We get a nice mix of submissions,” Batt said.
The magazine releases one issue a year. Issues can be found in the Summit Review Lounge in the John Roach Center.
Publication is slated for April with the release in early May.
Sam Larson can be reached at lars4378@stthomas.edu.