2008 Woodie Awards
Suisun Valley Review Turns 25!
Juanita J. Martin
Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: News
What makes a literary magazine last 25 years? In a sea of sameness, with respect to literary magazines, Suisun Valley Review clearly stands out from the rest. The popular magazine celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Although the magazine started in spring 1981, there were two years a magazine was not produced.
The magazine was started by English professors Quinton Duval and Laurie Duesing, who wanted to start a real literary magazine which would reflect both student writings and those of the community. They wanted to offer it in a class as an interesting way to prompt students to submit their work. Students would also get the experience of soliciting and critically analyzing materials for publication. This would empower students to have their say as to the content of the magazine.
"I have always been amazed that students pick the highest quality of work," Duval said. "Many of those that contribute to the magazine are ones that we see every year. I have enjoyed being an instructor of the class."
Several writers that have graced the magazine's pages have gone on to become prolific writers with books of their own. One of those is Sharon Stever, who was one of the first student editors of the magazine in 1981. Stever is now an English professor at Solano College. Reflecting on her experience as an editor, she credited the magazine with giving her structural details in creative writing.
"As a process-oriented person, the magazine helped me to balance the showing with the telling. I was able to critically examine a creative work. The magazine class and others influenced my decision to teach English and Creative Writing. Solano changed my life. I came back to work here because I wanted to give back the same experience I received."
In 2005, Duval asked Professor Michael Wyly if he would be interested in taking over the magazine. Wyly had worked on the layout of the magazine in 2004, with respect to his computer expertise. Wyly had also worked on several other small literary magazines, such as City Dialogues Literary Journal.
The magazine was started by English professors Quinton Duval and Laurie Duesing, who wanted to start a real literary magazine which would reflect both student writings and those of the community. They wanted to offer it in a class as an interesting way to prompt students to submit their work. Students would also get the experience of soliciting and critically analyzing materials for publication. This would empower students to have their say as to the content of the magazine.
"I have always been amazed that students pick the highest quality of work," Duval said. "Many of those that contribute to the magazine are ones that we see every year. I have enjoyed being an instructor of the class."
Several writers that have graced the magazine's pages have gone on to become prolific writers with books of their own. One of those is Sharon Stever, who was one of the first student editors of the magazine in 1981. Stever is now an English professor at Solano College. Reflecting on her experience as an editor, she credited the magazine with giving her structural details in creative writing.
"As a process-oriented person, the magazine helped me to balance the showing with the telling. I was able to critically examine a creative work. The magazine class and others influenced my decision to teach English and Creative Writing. Solano changed my life. I came back to work here because I wanted to give back the same experience I received."
In 2005, Duval asked Professor Michael Wyly if he would be interested in taking over the magazine. Wyly had worked on the layout of the magazine in 2004, with respect to his computer expertise. Wyly had also worked on several other small literary magazines, such as City Dialogues Literary Journal.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Kate Farrell
posted 4/06/08 @ 8:48 PM NA
Congratulations on 25 years in print and on the effort the college has made to support the creativity of their students in a quality publication, The Tempest. (Continued…)
Karen Batchelor
posted 4/08/08 @ 3:20 AM NA
Congratulatons! Good job.
Karen Batchelor
Post a Comment