OTC’s new literary magazine to feature students, staff

By Steve Koehler

Ozarks Technical Community College’s students and staff will soon have a new outlet to showcase their creative writing skills.

The college’s first literary magazine, Launch, will be published both in print and online with stories, poetry and other forms of art submitted by students, faculty, staff and some invited creative artists from outside the college.

“The English department has been wanting to begin a literary magazine for several semesters.  Karen Foresee had the background and experience with another magazine so she took the lead on the project and really helped make it happen,” said Richard Turner, chair of the English department.

Foresee, who teaches writing part-time at OTC, said there are a large number of community colleges that publish literary magazines and she was glad to see OTC add its name to the list.

“The magazine is in the beginning process. It’s not just focusing on short works but poetry and artwork, too,” she said.

“It puts the college in a recognized group of community colleges that offer creative arts in addition to the academic studies. For students, it gives them a chance to go beyond just getting a grade. It means they’re going to see something they’ve done be published.”

Submissions to the magazine can be made through March 12 but that deadline maybe extended, Foresee said. Submissions can be sent to launch@otc.edu. Publication is set for May.

Turner, Foresee and Mike Pulley, another English instructor, will select the items to be published.

The magazine will be printed on campus, Foresee said, with other funding coming from donations.

Turner said he is excited at the prospect of bringing a literary magazine to the college and show the work of staff and students alike.

“There’s excellent writing being done by OTC students and they deserve a venue to showcase their work.  This is something we feel will grow and grow each year,” he said.

Steve Koehler is coordinator of publications at Ozarks Technical Community College. Contact him at koehlers@otc.edu.