Joining one or more of Elizabethtown College’s student-run clubs and organizations is an excellent way to break out of your shell and meet new people with similar interests. One of the many long-standing academic organizations is Fine Print, Etown’s literary magazine.
Each year in the spring semester, the organization publishes a printed anthology of original work in four categories: poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction and visual art. Students edit the selected pieces and design the magazine’s layout. Previous issues can be found on display by the English Department offices in the Wenger Center for the Humanities, or online through JayScholar.
This year, the magazine has two Editors-in-Chief: third-year English professional writing major Kaitlyn Gilmore and fourth-year English professional writing major Natalie Meyer. Their staff advisor is Associate Professor of English Dr. Tara Moore.
Within the organization, there are several positions, including section editors, board editors, layout designers, proofreaders and a social media manager. Despite the specialization, students of all majors and disciplines are welcome to join, submit their creative work or both.
There are only a handful of returning members, so Gilmore encourages students to attend the Fine Print interest meeting, doubling as a launch party for last year’s issue, to celebrate Etown’s creativity and see if they’d like to participate this year.
The event is being held Sept. 17, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Jay Lounge. There will be some light refreshments and copies of the 2023-2024 issue available to take, as well as information about the available positions and a timeline for the upcoming year.
According to Gilmore, members can expect some reworked aspects from previous years, such as changes to the editing process and additional positions for students who may not have any prior editing experience.
Additionally, members of Fine Print likely won’t see a heavy time commitment until the spring semester.
“We meet about once a month or so in the fall but a lot more in the spring because that’s when we’re actually making the magazine,” Gilmore said.
Gilmore has been a part of the magazine as long as she’s been at Etown.
“I wanted to join the club because I love creative writing and love reading others’ work,” she said. “Helping others publish their work, even in a small magazine, is so fun, and I love getting to help them achieve that.”
Previously, Gilmore has been a Proofreader and a Board Editor for poetry. She said there have been some occasional “editing mishaps,” and it can be challenging to have to “go through and double or triple check every piece for any mistakes.” Even still, Gilmore has found Fine Print to have a positive impact, explaining that she loves sharing fellow students’ work with the rest of the campus community.
Fine Print will begin accepting submissions for publication beginning in November.
“We are always welcoming to people to submit if you would like to,” Gilmore said.
To receive updates about submission links and deadlines, email fineprint@etown.edu or follow the organization on Instagram, @fineprint_etown.
