Club Corner

Black Rock & Sage

Editor-in-Chief: Steven Hall

Prose Editor: Brandon Hall

Poetry Editor: Scott Holman

Advisor: Susan Goslee

Members: 12

Category: Academic

Meetings: Class is held on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. each spring semester

Mission: To learn and practice literary editing techniques while allowing non-member students of artistic inclinations to share their talents in a new way

Contact Info: Visit www.isu.edu/blackrock or email brs@isu.edu

"These are the artists on campus," said Steven Hall, editor-in-chief of Black Rock & Sage, as he described the role the literary journal leads on campus.

The journal is an institutional memory, serving as a record of the creative voice of Idaho State University students.

"[Black Rock & Sage] fosters collegiality among creative departments across campus," said Brandon Hall, this year's prose editor.

Unusual in many regards, Black Rock & Sage doubles as a course as well as a club. Each year, students interested in literary editing collaborate on projects, publishing the university's single student-only creative arts journal of the same name.

While the class Literary Magazine Production (ENGL 4409/5509) is only taught during the spring semester, the club aspect picks up the slack during the fall semester.

Club activities keep members in touch and the wheels turning. Senior editor officers are elected each year and each student enrolled in the class becomes an assistant editor.

Throughout the course of the semester, students learn and develop their editing skills in an academic setting and then apply them to real works as submissions arrive for entry.

In addition to the behind-the-scenes experience, students also receive publication credit for their involvement and the opportunity to build their portfolio.

Hall admits that the nontraditional classroom setting and the reward of seeing his efforts take on tangible form first attracted him to the club.

Students interested in joining the Black Rock & Sage team should talk to their advisors about registering for Literary Magazine Production after meeting course prerequisites. Individuals who would like to be involved without enrolling in the course will not receive editor titles but may still help with event planning and other aspects of the yearly publication.

Students do not have to be part of the club to be part of the production. The journal seeks creative art, music and literary works including fiction, prose, poetry and short stories.

The 2012 issue of Black Rock & Sage will be published towards the end of April, accompanied by a public launch party. The launch party will feature guest performances, art displays and readings by some of this year's contributing authors.

Entries may be submitted via email by Tuesday, Feb. 14. Exact submission guidelines and more information can be found online at www.isu.edu/blackrock.