Students who enjoy creative writing and the arts can look forward to submitting their works in the winter edition of Display magazine, a student publication that features the talented voices and imagination of the Grand Rapids Community College campus.
Display has been publishing since 1964, and for those who are interested, there is an online archive exhibiting old issues. The purpose of the magazine is to encourage students to not only be creative but also give them an opportunity to publish their work for a wider audience.
“By students, for students,” Lillian Youngquist, an editor of the magazine, stated in an email. She has been involved with the magazine since winter 2024.
Students can submit up to a maximum of five poetry and two prose pieces for each edition.
“Submissions are chosen based on a few variables: number of submissions total, number of submissions per student, diversity of content (poetry, prose, essays, scripts, etc – we like to have a bit of everything!), and whether the editors feel it is a good fit for the magazine,” Youngquist shared.
If a student happens to submit the maximum number of works, “The editors will vote on which piece is best and include maybe one or two of those works.”
“We review the submissions in one large document and are not allowed to see the names of the authors – this is to prevent bias,” stated Youngquist. “We leave commentary on the pieces and discuss them at our next meeting, and vote Yes, No, or Maybe.”
She noted that editors are free to submit their own work, but cannot vote for themselves.
Youngquist stated, “There are a few limitations based on word count and content, but as editors, if we need to make changes to a piece, we will email students to ask for permission.”
Additionally, for those who like to show rather than tell, the magazine does accept art and photography submissions.
The art department has a hand in how the magazine is formatted, as well as approval of the art pieces. “They usually try to match the art to the writing. It’s pretty neat,” Youngquist shared.
While students may be disappointed that their work was not chosen, Youngquist stated, “The good news is, if we didn’t publish a piece the first time it’s submitted, you’re welcome to submit it again!”
Youngquist acknowledged the integrity of the student’s authority and explained that professor Patrick Prominski, the advisor of the publication, can weigh in on a final decision. “He tries to avoid this as much as possible… to leave the magazine mostly student-run,” Youngquist said.
Thus, final editing and publishing decisions are made by the students.
Students have a few options on how to get involved, including submitting their own work, becoming an editor, or attending reading events, which typically occur every semester.
Youngquist described the events as “a low-stakes and fun way to share your work and meet the team behind Display. Students are also welcome to simply sit, observe, and grab some of the food while they’re at it.”
Youngquist shared, “I became an editor by simply coming to an event, reading some of my poetry, and talking with editors. I asked if I could come to the next meeting and Professor Prominski said I could email him for more information.”
The next Reading event will occur on Tuesday Mar. 9 from 4-5 p.m. The event will take place at the Tutoring and Learning Center.
The magazine publishes every semester. For upcoming editions, the submission deadline for the winter semester is March 20. For the fall edition, students have until Nov. 13.
“I’m very grateful to be able to share my writing with other students,” shared Youngquist, who has gotten some of her own works published, including “Maraschino,” a piece of flash fiction and a poem, among others. She stated she will have more works published in the upcoming issue. “I hope I can inspire others to share as well!”
Youngquist encouraged other students to submit their own works and stated, “It could be anything. A poem, a song, an essay they’re particularly proud of, a script, a review, a short story, a play, an excerpt from something they’re writing, anything.”
Display is hosting a reception Feb. 12 from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Collins Art Gallery on the fourth floor of RJF 430. Those who attend can receive the fall 2024 edition as well as light refreshments.
Editor’s note: This article was updated to correct the Reading event date and time. The Collegiate apologizes for this error.
