Literary Magazine members have been working on this year’s book during the pandemic. Despite far fewer submissions, the magazine will still be published with a variety of student stories, art pieces, poems, and more.

The club has met almost every Wednesday since August to read, discuss, and edit submissions for the magazine. While initially done over Zoom, they have been meeting in person since March.

“Surprisingly, COVID hasn’t impacted the production of the books this year as badly as last year,” said Aubrie Gilling, Editor in Chief. “Last year, everything had to be remote. Now, we get to sit together and collaborate on the design, so it’s more like a traditional year.”

Submissions to lit mag have not only been fewer than usual, but the topics were very different, due mostly to the effects of the pandemic and quarantining.

“We noticed a change from previous years,” said Lori Hart, adviser. “There were no travel shots, for example, and most of the work was darker. Students were obviously affected by the isolation during the pandemic.”

As a result, this year’s theme focuses on these changes, and work will be organized like a journal, with hand-written drafts and sketches.

“We wanted to create a more intimate experience for the reader to reflect the challenges this past year have created for all of us,” said Gilling.

Lit mag has changed since its inception in 2002. Originally a photo-copied booklet, the magazine has grown into a full-blown publication. Each copy is printed on a high quality printing press and professionally bound.

“I think more people know about our club now; we have new members this year that are all passionate about the publication and eager to contribute,” said Mia Milinovich, one

of two literature editors.
The magazine has regularly

won the top awards in the country over the past ten years, including the Crown award from Columbia Scholastic Press, and the Pacemaker award from the National Scholastic Press.

“I believe we are the only high school in Arizona who regularly wins one or both of these awards,” said Hart.

Members spend the first semester culling through submissions, critiquing and voting on which pieces will get in.

“We use a specific criteria when critiquing,” said Milinovich, “Everything is scored anonymously so we can avoid submissions being accepted solely because we like them.”

This year’s magazine is now available for pre-sale. For more information, find the club page on the school website, or follow them on Instagram @ cshslitmag.