PSU students have opportunity to publish writing and artwork

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Portland State’s Pathos Literary Magazine is currently seeking submissions from student artists for its upcoming winter edition.

Pathos lends itself to talented PSU artists as a means of publication for their work. Students have the opportunity to submit writing and artwork for consideration for the next issue. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 8.

Pathos is a free magazine published three times a year, with fall, winter and spring editions. The publication is run by PSU students for PSU students, and accepts poetry, prose, essay and visual art submissions. About 1,500 copies of each edition are printed and distributed for free around campus.

“It’s a good place to start,” said Reid Tyler, an undergraduate English major at PSU. He had two poems accepted for publication in the fall edition of Pathos, called “Loss” and “Family.” Pathos provided his first-ever experience of being published.

“I’m glad that they’re supporting the arts by keeping students motivated. It’s tough for students to achieve publication,” Tyler said.

Pathos receives its entire budget from the Associated Students of Portland State University’s student fee committee. All PSU students help fund the magazine through their tuition incidental fees.

“The student fee committee has been really supportive of Pathos [because of] the fact that it only accepts work from PSU students,” said Judson Randall, faculty advisor for Pathos. Randall is the advisor for all publications at PSU, including the Vanguard.

The winter edition of Pathos will be the second issue under new editor-in-chief Deena Anreise. She is a writer and a graduate student studying publishing at PSU. She has a tight-knit staff consisting only of herself and two assistant editors, who are fellow graduate students.

“I took this job because I want to make [Pathos] stand out and not just be a regular magazine off the rack,” Anreise said.

Pathos has been around since 2006. With Anreise’s transition to editor-in-chief, some long-term readers are resistant and critical of changes at the publication.

“In previous issues they seemed to utilize space more efficiently,” said Samuel Nickilaus McLain-Jesperson, a PSU graduate student studying linguistics.

His piece “Glue Sniffer” and associated artwork were published in the fall edition. He was also published in a 2009 issue of Pathos.

“Getting more people involved in the design process of the magazine would probably be beneficial,” he added.

In spite of McLain-Jesperson’s concern, he said he is proud to have had his work showcased in the publication and will always pick up the newest copy.

“There’s definitely a place for Pathos and I’m really glad it exists as free art for the people,” he said.

Anreise acknowledged that flaws are nearly impossible to avoid, especially with a new endeavor. She feels that she continues to improve as she gains experience.

“Since the fall edition was my first issue, I had to take some time to gain my footing,” Anreise said. “People have to understand that I’m also a student, and I’m learning more about the craft [of publishing] as I go.”

For the upcoming edition, Anreise plans to collaborate with her assistant editors a bit more. She is also considering bringing on volunteers to help with miscellaneous tasks.

Anreise’s main focus right now is motivating more of PSU’s many talented and diverse artists to submit their work for consideration. For the fall edition, there were only about 40 submissions.

One initiative for increasing submissions is a revamped marketing effort. She will be employing radio and television spots via PSU as well as social media to help spread the word.

“This is your magazine,” Anreise said, addressing all PSU students. “I’m hoping to be overwhelmed by your submissions.”

PSU students who wish to submit a piece for consideration for the upcoming issue of Pathos can do so via email at [email protected] by Feb. 8. The magazine will be published by the end of winter term.