We had such a great evening celebrating our student award-winners and enjoying a poetry reading by contest judge Jennifer Oakes! Thanks to all the students, alums, families, and friends who joined us.
Photo credit: Most of these photos were taken by IUSB New Media major and Pub Hub student, Tobi Alaofin.
Along with being a senior, Madi was the winner of the Excellence Award in Writing, First Place in Undergraduate Poety with the piece, “A Cosmic Poem for My Father” and Honorable Mention in the same category with the piece “My Mother Was Born From A Star”, Congragulations Madi!
By morgan Mckenna
A bit about yourself and your campus involvement.
My campus involvement has admittedly been very limited. I was one of the co-editors for last year’s Analecta and was one of the presenters at the URC (Undergraduate Research Conference) last April for Kelcey Ervick’s Narrative Collage class, so those were exciting experiences.
What are your post graduation plans?
Honestly, my plans after graduation are wherever the wind takes me. I intend to keep working as a tutor for the Writer’s Room on campus, and might pursue grad school within a year, most likely here at IUSB.
What advice do you have for current students?
I couldn’t settle on just one piece of advice, so pick your poison:
And some fond memory of your time at here IUSB?
Not trying to self-aggrandize, but a really special moment for me was winning the Undergraduate Poetry Award in 2022, and again this year in 2024. The 2022 poem honored my late grandmother and the ceremony that year happened to fall on what would’ve been her 79th birthday, while my winning poems this year celebrated my parents and my other grandmother who also recently passed away. Sharing those experiences with friends and family who came to support me meant a lot.
Lastly, have you had any notable professors and any favorite classes?
I was fortunate enough to have many brilliant and understanding professors. David Dodd Lee’s poetry workshops helped solidify my love and style for poetry. I also enjoyed any class with Rebecca Brittenham. Her classes were always so intriguing, especially with topics like Victorian Ghost Literature or Food in Literature. I also had Elaine Roth for the first time this semester, and she is a born academic.
Congragulations again, and best of luck to whatever comes after graduation!
Senior Jessie Jimenez is the winner of the 2024 Excellence Award in Literature and the first place winner of the Undergraduate Fiction award for her piece “The Mortician!”
by Katie Clark
Firstly, congrats on your winning submission! Have you ever submitted work to Analecta or any other forum in the past?
Thank you! This was my first Analecta submission and my first publication!
Nice! How did you choose the topic for your submission?
I’m a big fan of ghost stories and scary movies, so I was inspired to write something in that genre. I came up with the idea for “The Mortician” a couple of years ago, but it wasn’t until I took a creative writing class last year that I finished it.
What does this win mean to you?
This win means a lot to me. I really struggle with creative writing and have never considered myself a writer, but this win helped with my confidence! It also makes me think I could write more in the future.
What are some of your favorite books that inspire you?
This is the most difficult question to answer as an English major! Some of my favorite books of all time include A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, 1984 by George Orwell, Yellowface by R.F. Kuang, and Beautiful World Where Are You? by Sally Rooney.
What jobs have you had during your time here?
My entire academic career I’ve worked part-time off campus, but I’m also a PubHub editor and have worked as a tutor in the past.
What are some of your fondest memories from your time at IUSB?
I’ve enjoyed all of my classes and meeting wonderful people, both students and staff. One of my fondest memories is representing the German Club by participating in the International Food Festival this semester! We all had a great time making pretzels and experiencing other cultures. I’ve also really enjoyed being a part of the English Club this semester.
Would you like to mention some professors that have made a positive impact on you?
There are two professors I would like to thank for making a big impact on my life. First, I would like to thank Dr. Mattox for always believing in me from the beginning of my journey at IUSB and encouraging me even when I was living across the ocean. I would also like to thank Dr. He for inspiring me to pursue my PhD. Her classes are the reason I want to become an English professor.
What advice do you have for current students?
Take the time to join the many clubs we have here at IUSB! It’s a great way to meet like-minded people and decompress from your studies.
Finally, what are your plans for after graduation?
Next year, I’ll be working on getting my teaching license. From there, I plan to either teach or work as an editor while pursuing my Master’s in English Literature and eventually earn my PhD.
Amazing goals, Jessie! Congratulations on your upcoming graduation and we wish you the very best in your future endeavors!
Lexi Martin is a graduating senior with a general studies major and is the winner of the first place Nonfiction award for her submission of “Crumbs!”
by Katie Clark
Congrats on your winning submission! Have you ever submitted work to Analecta or any other forum in the past?
Thank you! No, this is the first time my work has been published.
What does this win mean to you?
For me, this win means that even though I have no idea what I am doing with my life after graduating, if I am doing something I am passionate about, I will succeed.
How did you choose the topic for your submission?
My dad committed suicide in September of 2023. I chose to write about his suicide because I had a lot of thoughts and feelings about his death that I was struggled to talk about with my friends and family. I never intended to submit it [and] I wrote it for myself, but when I saw that the Analecta was accepting submissions, I decided to submit it so other people could hear my story.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy going on hikes, reading, traveling, and spending time with my friends and family!
Nice! What are some of your favorite books?
My favorite books are The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan, The Good Girl’s Guide to Getting Lost by Rachel Friedman, and Becoming by Michelle Obama.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I would live in Switzerland because of all the beautiful nature and proximity to other countries!
Do you have any advice for current students?
My advice is to not compare yourselves to others! Comparison is a thief of joy. Remember to slow down, and wherever you are in life it’s exactly where you’re supposed to be.
Finally, would you like to mention a professor who has made a positive impact on you during your time here at IUSB?
Dr. Karakastanis has made a huge impact on me! She has pushed me to do better and reach for more since my freshman year. She has been so inspirational, caring, and kind to me in the past 4 years. She is an amazing professor, mentor, and person!
Congratulations again, Lexi! We wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors!
L.A. Culver (Lindsey Les) won Second Place in the Undergraduate Fiction category for her piece, “Vessels”.
by Robin Dubree
What does winning these awards mean to you?
I’m honored, I have never won any sort of award for my creative writing before. I was very excited to receive the news that I won something.
How would you describe your writing? What themes, ideas, and styles do you find recurring throughout your work?
I write a lot, whether it’s fiction, poetry, or academic writing. For poetry my style is a blend between contemporary and 19th century. I’ve always preferred the structure and music of 19th century/Victorian poetry over contemporary. So, in order to write what I wanted and remain appealing I blended the two together. For my prose I typically go for the more modern take where I try not to info dump on every page and have characters speak normally rather than go off on these strange monologues. When it comes to fiction, I don’t particularly enjoy writing contemporary and prefer [genres] like fantasy, science fiction, gothic, and horror.
What are some of your favorite authors? Do you see these authors as influencing your writing?
For poetry my favorite is Emily Dickinson. She was the one who got me writing poetry and her style is so often reflected in my own poems. For prose, it is difficult to choose just one. The two I go for most often are J.R.R. Tolkien and George R.R. Martin just because they wrote my two favorite fantasies out there. However, if I had to choose an author (or in this case a duo of authors under one name) who influences me the most, it would be James S.A. Corey. They have some of the most well written characters out there in their science fiction series The Expanse.
What is your writing process like?
I wouldn’t say I have much of a process. For my bigger projects like my science fantasy series and high fantasy series, I write outlines since they are eventually going to become books. For poetry the words just come to me. I believe I wrote my poem “Lungs” that made it into Analecta in about ten or so minutes because the words would not stop coming to me. I did not outline “Vessels”, but it was improved thanks to my three beta readers.
Can you talk about one of your pieces a little; how did this particular piece come about? What was your inspiration?
“Vessels” is a gothic/horror short story that follows around a female personification of death. I got the idea for the story after listening to the song “Oh Death” by Jen Titus. I was originally going to write a poem about a personification of death, but I figured it would make a better short story.
My job is not done, it is never done; sometimes clocking out is not an option. I work rain, shine, during hurricanes and volcanic eruptions too. There are no snow days; I am busiest when the roads are coated with ice. I am what some wish to avoid and what others seek, but it is not truly up to you whether I come or not. Fate is the plan that destroyed God and fate is my supervisor who determines when I pay you a visit. You won’t always see me, but when you do, take comfort. You will breathe easier once your vessel is emptied.
Excerpt from “Vessels”
Congratulations to this year’s winners of IUSB’s 2024 Student Writing Awards! Submissions were first screened by English department faculty, with final selections made by this year’s judge, Jennifer Oakes. Oakes is a poet and novelist who has won several awards for her work, including the Four Lakes Prize in Poetry (for her book The Declarable Future) and the Brittingham Prize in Poetry (for The Mouths of Grazing Things). Awards Night will take place this Thursday, April 18th, in Wiekamp Hall 1001. A reception begins at 5:30 and the awards ceremony and poetry reading by Jennifer Oakes begins at 6:00 PM. The 2024 edition of Analecta, IUSB’s student literary magazine, will also be revealed during the event.
Undergraduate Poetry
First Place: Madi Bandera, “A Cosmic Poem for My Father”
Second Place: Robin Dubree, “To Make Your Bed and Lie in It”
Third Place: Robin Dubree, “Apprehension is My Middle Name”
Honorable Mention: Madi Bandera, “My Mother Was Born From A Star”
Honorable Mention: Jacob Nava, “Humans”
Honorable Mention: Jacob Nava, “Late Fall”
Honorable Mention: JeniSue Teegarden, “Infected”
Honorable Mention: Robin Dubree, “Sand Castle, Erased by the Tide”
Undergraduate Fiction
First Place: Jessie Jimenez, “The Mortician”
Second Place: Lindsey Les (L.A. Culver), “Vessels”
Undergraduate Nonfiction
First Place: Alexis Martin, “Crumbs”
Second Place: JeniSue Teegarden, “Cows Have Teats”
Undergraduate Drama
First Place: Bobby Simons, “Bland Theft”
Graduate Poetry
First Place: Amanda Jones, “Maybe Today”
Second Place: Brooke Plummer, “A Tilted Earth”
Third Place: Babu Sarker (Fr. Pascal), “The Meaning in Nothingness”
Honorable Mention: Jo Hackett, “Big Brothers”
Graduate Fiction
First Place: Jessica Kado, “Faith No More”
Second Place: Candice Slovinski, “Self-Love”
Third Place: Babu Sarker (Fr. Pascal), “The Storyteller”
Honorable Mention: Jo Hackett, “The Bowling Story”
Graduate Nonfiction
First Place: Missy Hatfield, “Legacy: A Life in Ten Items or Less”
Second Place: Andrea Meyer, “The King”
Here is the list of winners and some photos from our wonderful celebration of award-winning students and the release of 2023 Analecta!
Undergraduate Poetry
First Place: Corbin Shelton, “Payaso”
Second Place: Fig Shafer, “South of the Sunflowers”
Third Place: Mariah Woolley, “Judas”
Honorable Mentions: Fig Shafer, “The Hell Bull” and Mariah Woolley, “Pray Mercy for the Biting Things”
Undergraduate Fiction
First Place: Kerry Garrett, “The Great Acrimonious End of MILF Wagon”
Second Place: Brooke Borkowski, “Truly Unlimited Olive Garden Breadsticks”
Third Place: Bobby Simons, “Friction and Time”
Undergraduate Nonfiction
First Place: Michelle Hover, “The Soul of a Mermaid”
Second Place: Candice Slovinski, “Surviving Depression”
Third Place: Michelle Hover, “She knew she was Different”
Graduate Poetry
First Place: Emma LePla, “burnt.”
Second Place: Jessica Kado, “these birds are not fucking around”
Third Place: Des Lord, “A Dehydrated Dream for the Suffering”
Graduate Fiction
First Place: Libby Grossman, “The Box”
Second Place: Des Lord, novel excerpt from Serpent
Graduate Non-Fiction
First Place: Teresa Hill, “To Have Roots”
Second Place: Teresa Hill, “Fall 1975: Sixth Grade”
Third Place: Des Lord, “La Petite Mort”
Honorable Mention: Jessica Kado, “The Cheeto”
Overall Excellence Award: Quinn Newell
Excellence Award in Literature: Matelyn Standiford
Excellence Award in Writing: Amanda Ross
A message from Quinn Newell this year’s editor-in-chief of Analecta! All IUSB students are eligible to submit.
Analecta, IUSB’s student-run creative arts journal, is officially open for submissions for its 53rd issue! We are open to any creative works students have to offer, but this year we’re especially interested in the strange, experimental and surreal ways art acts as an outlet for emotion and identity.
Analecta accepts poetry, short fiction, memoir, and creative non-fiction. Don’t consider yourself much of a writer? Analecta also wants to see your paintings, collage, photography, digital art, and comics! If you’ve made something cool that you’re proud of, we want to see it!
All accepted submissions appear in our yearly print of the Analecta published in the Spring, as well as being entered into the English department’s Annual Student Writing Awards.
For details on how to submit to Analecta, click here: https://iusbenglish.wordpress.com/analecta/
“I’m really interested in exploring the weird, messy, complicated parts of emotion and identity. Art is a visceral outlet for so many people, a way to try to articulate and make sense of things (both positive and negative) that inherently DON’T make sense.”
– Quinn Newell
Interviewed by The Deadline
Analecta is IUSB’s award-winning student journal of creative writing and art. It is published annually in April and free to IUSB students. Learn more about how and when to submit your work for publication in Analecta here.
Why did you apply to be the editor of Analecta?
After working as co-editor on last year’s Analecta with Bryce Delaney Walls, I just got really excited to try my hand at being the actual editor. It was so amazing getting to put together a real book of all that amazing art! I’m a senior this year, so I felt like this was my last chance to really get involved in projects like these! Working on Analecta is so inspiring because it feels like I get to give back and celebrate all the insanely talented students at IUSB!
What are you most excited about when you think of editing Analecta this year?
Obviously, I’m so excited to see all the different art that people send in this year – be it poetry, fiction, painting, collage, photography, etc. – but I’m also really excited for the actual process of putting together a book. I love thinking about the design aspects and what order to put the pieces in to make things flow. I love being able to look at a wide variety of pieces and find ways in which they interact with each other.
What kind of background experience do you have with writing and editing?
I’ve been around writing (my own and my peers’) pretty much my whole life. I’ve been writing stories and poetry since I was a kid, and loved it so much that I ended up majoring in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. My biggest project so far has definitely been last year’s Analecta. Getting to see the inner-workings and the processes of editing a journal was such a great experience, and I will definitely be taking what I learned from last year into the 2023 Analecta.
What are some works that influence you as a writer or editor?
I’m really inspired by journals that do weird stuff. Magazines that are excited to break the mold or break these ideas about what art is “supposed” to be. I think there can be a lot of ideas surrounding art – “poetry should sound like this; photography should follow these rules” – and journals that rebel against that idea by uplifting artists trying out new, weird stuff are really interesting and inspiring to me. Lately I’ve really been into Taco Bell Quarterly and Dead Skunk Mag, in particular. I’ll also definitely be looking at past Analectas for inspiration! With 52 Analectas published, I’m definitely interested in looking at how previous editors designed their editions.
What ideas do you have for the 2023 Analecta?
So much of what one year’s Analecta becomes is shaped by the submissions of the students! I’m really interested in exploring the weird, messy, complicated parts of emotion and identity. Art is a visceral outlet for so many people, a way to try to articulate and make sense of things (both positive and negative) that inherently DON’T make sense. With the pandemic these past few years, and now feeling like we might finally be getting somewhere close to normal again, those aspects of ourselves are back in full force after feeling distant from others for so long. I’d love to showcase that side of the experiences of the student body with the 2023 Analecta.
As the editor, what do you want students considering submitting their work to Analecta to know?
You’ve got nothing to lose! I know a lot of people who are hesitant to submit to campus literary journals because they’re intimidated or worried they won’t get it. And it IS scary putting yourself and your work out there, but it’s also so exciting! Analecta is a great way to get introduced to getting your work published, because the worst that can happen is your piece doesn’t get chosen that year, and then next year comes around, and you submit new stuff and try again. And nothing beats seeing your work in a physical book, getting to share it with the people you love and go “hey, look, I’m in this!” Making and sharing art is so important for developing artists. So take the chance.
What a fabulous event last night! It was our first in-person Student Writing Awards in two years. We were finally able to host the poet William Stobb and hear him read from his amazing book, YOU ARE STILL ALIVE. And we celebrated the release of the 2022 Analecta and our award-winning students, and even got to see some of our awesome alums! Here are some photos from the night.
The Deadline 