Life > December 6, 2007

By Caroline Edgeton | Staff writer

Many enjoy writing or creating artistic pieces as a hobby but do not pursue it as a major. As a way for students to submit their artistic works for public viewing, 3 to 4 Ounces, the university’s literary magazine allows any student to submit their own creative writing or studio art to be considered for publication.

3 to 4 Ounces has recently released a double issue featuring work from over 20 contributors, which spans almost 50 pages of glossy photos and gorgeously designed spreads.

The magazine publishes twice a year, once in the fall and again in the spring.

The selection process is blind, chosen by the strength of the actual work without knowledge of the artist.

3 to 4 Ounces was originally created to take the place of The Student magazine, which was the original university literary magazine.

The Student magazine went online after a long hiatus but dropped its original function of literary magazine. That’s where 3 to 4 Ounces took over.

3 to 4 Ounces began to combine poetry, prose and visual art. This semester’s recently-released issue has been a work-in-progress for the past year and half.

Last semester, senior web editor Bill Brown, worked with senior Jessica Vogel, layout editor, to create a new magazine called Notice.

This magazine was a push toward focusing on the interesting and creative things students do as opposed to the traditional poetry and visual arts featured in 3 to 4 Ounces.

For this magazine, the 3 to 4 Ounces group gathered new students to come and participate in the publication process.

The help from Notice gave rise to the new style of 3 to 4 Ounces; therefore, this new publication has a creative touch but still maintains the traditional aspects of 3 to 4 Ounces.

Overall, the group is very proud of this new issue. “I love the way this issue came out,” Vogel said. “I think it is the best one we have done so far. It couldn’t have been done without all the help we got this year from our new 3 to 4 staff.”

The magazine goes through a fairly long production process. It occurs throughout the semester and all students are allowed to submit their personal works for possible selection.

The overall feel of the issue is determined by what types of work students are giving to the magazine.

“Selections, however, can be pretty tough, so some experience in writing or art does help, but we would prefer a well-rounded group,” Vogel said.

The only people who know the actual identities of the creators of the submitted works are the poetry/prose and visual arts editors.

There is no actual “style” or “look” the staff focuses on.

“We have in the past put things in the magazine that are very traditional and some have made it in the magazine for their absurdity,” Vogel said.

Overall, the pieces that make it into the magazine depend on the style of the upcoming issue and how well each piece fits.

Like a quality playlist, you want each piece to maintain its originality but still contribute to the overall fluidity publication.

This past year, the magazine received submissions of about 30 or 40 poems, seven pieces of prose and 10 pieces of visual art.

Each piece in the new issue is creative and thought-provoking.

Congratulations are in order to all whose work was selected.

The magazine itself is very impressive and students are urged to obtain a copy.

Be sure to check out the magazine’s latest issue – you never know which of your classmates are going to be ridiculously famous for their creative talents one day.