Each semester, RWU’s Literary Publishing class is busy reading and selecting works from all around the area to be included within “Mount Hope.” This literary magazine is a collection of various written pieces and is published once each semester.

The magazine is curated by a small group of creative writers and Professor of Creative Writing and Editor-in-Chief Edward Delaney. In this setting, Delaney, editors and staff members put their artistic minds to work, hand selecting fiction, nonfiction, poetry and more pieces for each edition.

In the published magazine, there are typically three works of fiction and nonfiction, along with several poetry pieces. Writers from all around the area, young and old, are encouraged to put their abilities to the test and submit their written projects to the “Mount Hope” website for further critique. 

The magazine’s editors work from September until mid-March and look through a plethora of written works. The process takes about six months to perfect and the finished product ranges from 55 to 70 pages. The most important factors editors consider when selecting works include the quality of piece, diversity and unique views that can resonate with all readers. 

FIT interns also play a large role in the process. As a three-year position, the FIT internship allows students to develop skills from a hands-on perspective, which can be taken into the workplace after graduation. 

Senior Hannah Little has been a FIT intern for the literary magazine for the past three years. As her time at RWU comes to a close this spring, her spot will be open for rising sophomores. She spoke highly of being in this position.

“Reading submissions has allowed for me to learn how to write better,” Little said. 

Along with Little, the team of editors includes juniors Kieran Binney, Jillian Damiani and Megan Peters. When asked about challenges or memorable moments while working on the upcoming edition, the editors spoke about the interview process and preparing the layout in a form that worked. With these struggles, however, they have found great delight in learning from being on the team.

Damiani, who is interested in the writing side of the experience, said working on the literary magazine helped her learn more about the inner workings of publishing and what goes into creating the final product.

“It is valuable to know what goes on in the process of editing and publishing, especially when you are passionate about writing,” Damiani said.  

Binney also spoke highly of the learning opportunity.

“Thinking critically about how the pieces are working and what works for them helps a lot,” Binney said. 

The next “Mount Hope” publication will come out in March 2020. Anyone interested in reading past editions of the magazine can check out https://issuu.com/mounthopemagazine. Email Professor Delaney at [email protected] for more information on subscribing to the journal.