Visit the UWG English Department Website

Visit UWG BanWeb to Check Course Availability

<< go back

2004 Issue of the Eclectic Is Finally Here!

Can you feel it in the air? This year's issue of the Eclectic--West Georgia's art and literary magazine--is finally here. Grab yourself a copy in the English Department office or in the Eclectic office in Pafford.

Click picture to see a larger version

With the big release bash on April 14th at Blue Moon Barbecue, the wheels are definitely in motion to make this year's issue a huge success. Incoming faculty advisor Dr. Chad Davidson along with the tireless student editorial board-Stephanie Fields, Margaret Griffin, Amy Lavender, Tony Mealer, and Sean Ness-have striven throughout the year to make some exciting changes to the magazine. What's changed, you might ask? The entire magazine is revamped, that's what changed. First, all art work appears in color in this issue. No more black and white representations. Also, the Eclectic established a readers' series this year whereby nationally recognized authors will visit West Georgia in the spring to give readings from their work, talk with students about creative writing, judge the literary contest for the magazine, and help foster a sense of a writers' community right here in Carrollton.

What's this Eclectic "Readers' Series" All About?

In February, the Eclectic brought Dr. John Poch to campus to read from his new collection of poetry, deceptively entitled, Poems (Orchises Press, 2004). Poch is a recipient of the prestigious The Nation/"Discovery" Award, a Colgate University fellowship, as well as residencies at Blue Mountain, MacDowell, and Saltonstall. In addition, he is an assistant professor and director of the creative writing program at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, and poetry editor for 32 Poems Magazine, a nationally distributed journal out of Maryland. This year, Poch chose West Georgia'a own Amy Ellison for her poem, "White Pickets," as winner of the Kay Magenheimer Poetry Award. Kevin Ammons's "Superstar" picked up second prize, and Carrie Fitts's "Toxic Woman" received third prize. In addition, Poch named Bric Barker's "Red Sea Stars" and Eric Smith's "On the Steps of the Lambertikirche" as honorable mentions. You'll find all of the award winners plus so much more-including the winners from the art contest, fiction, art, and poetry by West Georgia students, and an interview with John Poch-in this year's issue. But wait, there's more.

Writers Talk about Writing in This Year's Issue of the Eclectic

Curious about what goes on behind the doors of a creative writing classroom? Have no fear. New to the Eclectic this year is a special section entitled, "Writers on Writing." Here, students of creative writing courses talk about their experiences living the writer's life. Senior Amby Johnston, for example, discusses the alluring "rebellion" inherent in the creative writing classroom. Academy student Bryan Gunter, meanwhile, takes a more philosophical approach in talking about his own creative process, and invokes Thomas P. Kasulis's notion of the "intimate bibliography." Both Drs. Davidson and Fraser hope to see this section grow into a forum in which students discuss their approaches and experiences as burgeoning writers.

Is There No End to These Eclectic Innovations?

No. Here's another: If you haven't seen our new Web page, well, then, you're missing out. Simply go to the English Department home page and click on our link, or go straight to www.westga.edu/~eclectic for more information. Are you salivating for art and literature yet? Good.

How Can I Get Involved with the Eclectic?

Interested in becoming an editor for the Eclectic? We are currently accepting applications for student editors. Drop by the English Department office and pick up an application.

--Chad Davidson