NE literary magazine now available

By mario montalvo/ne news editor

The NE literary magazine, Under the Clock Tower, is now available for purchase in the English department, and the search for next year’s talent has begun.The annual publication features the winning works of the spring and fall writing competitions as well as some runners-up and work selected by English faculty.

“Students submit their writing, and we publish the best work we can find,” said English associate professor Rebecca Balcarcel. “And we have some pretty talented students, so we have some good work.”

The magazine also features artwork created by NE students selected by the art department.

“We have a lot of talented students in the arts, in general, on our campus, so this gives a chance for them to be recognized and celebrated,” Balcarcel said.

Students who wish to submit their poems, stories or essays for the Spring Writing Competition can visit https://sites.google.com/site/undertheclocktower/home to upload their works. In addition to cash prizes, the top submissions will be considered for publication in next year’s journal. Deadline for submission is Nov. 15.

NE psychology major Lynette Sharp first heard about the magazine from her English instructor Mina Thompson.

Sharp, who has always considered herself a bookworm, said this was the first essay she has written. She began exploring writing after taking Thompson’s class.

In her essay, “The Family Unit,” Sharp, now 43, writes about her suicide attempt as a teenager. She admits the piece is emotional and a little hard to read.

“I was pretty messed up when I was 16,” she said. “But I’m not that person anymore, so it doesn’t bother me for people to read it.”

Thinking of changing her major to writing, Sharp said she is trying her hand at writing fiction. She has an idea for a book, which she has already started work on.

“It definitely is fiction,” she said. “I won’t say more than that because I’m keeping it close to me.”

Under The Clock Tower is $10. To purchase, speak with administrative assistant Kristi Toler in the NE English department at 817-515-6406 or in NFAC 3226A.