Scribendi 2015 has been named a finalist for the ACP Pacemaker! People outside of the publishing industry might think this means we have cardiovascular deficiencies, which is far from the truth. Indeed, our joyful, healthy hearts are racing with pride and excitement over our magazine’s big accomplishment. The Pacemaker is considered the most prestigious national accolade from the Associated Collegiate Press, deemed (unofficially) the “Pulitzer prize of journalism.” Conceptions Southwest, whose editor and staff have roots in Scribendi, was also named a finalist. These finalist achievements are significant accomplishments not only for the publications, involved staffs, and submitters, but also for our University as a whole. We’ll leave it to the executive director of ACP Diane Mitsu Klos to describe the weight of the award.
“College news organizations and students that win Pacemaker Awards or Best of Show honors set the tempo for quality scholastic journalism and media nationwide,” said Klos in a 2013 press release from ACP.
Our critical literary selection, keen copyediting, and creative typesetting are “setting the tempo” for literary magazines around the nation, and that’s a big deal. This year, we are striving to keep the tempo lively and fresh. We know that every choice we make represents our college, our school, and our region. To all you submitters: Think about the meaning of being published in a national-award-winning magazine. We are working to honor your work, so be sure to submit!
In being named one of five 2015 finalists, Scribendi reconfirms its spot in the Pacemaker legacy. The award has been given annually since 1927 to the top national high school and college publications, including newspapers, yearbooks, and magazines. Scribendi won the award in 2006 and 2013. With the 2015 finalist status (and – hopefully – a win!), Scribendi is one step closer to joining the ACP Hall of Fame. To be inducted, literary magazines must win ten Pacemakers or earn 15 total wins plus nominations.
When Scribendi won its 2013 Pacemaker, we won alongside Tusk from California State University, Fullerton, Periphery from Drake University, and The Yale Literary Magazine from Yale. Again we are up against worthy competitors. Scribendi and Conceptions Southwest are two of five finalists; the others are Catch, from Knox College, The Bridge, from Bridgewater State University, and The Dulcimer from Mercer University. Catch claims to be the oldest literary magazine in the country, with a history of publishing spanning more than 100 years. The Bridge boasts 11 Gold Circle Awards from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and an ACP Pacemaker. This is The Dulcimer’s third consecutive year as a Pacemaker finalist – a consistent record of excellence. Each of these four-year literary magazines feature high-quality design and critical art and literature selection. We’re all working for the same goal: to give undergraduate writers and artists a platform for publication. Winners will be announced at the ACP/CMA National College Media Convention in Austin, Texas on November 2 – keep your fingers crossed!
If you’re interested in joining the Scribendi legacy, come to our publication fair on September 24 from 10:30-1:00 in the SUB. With less than a month (!!) until our submission deadline, now is the time to explore your on-campus options for publication opportunities. Our friends Best Student Essays and Conceptions Southwest will be joining us. Meet and mingle with staff members, flip through past issues of our magazines, ask your questions about submitting, and enjoy a free Otter Pop. To get your creative juices flowing, we will be facilitating a free “DIY Redacted Poetry” activity. Hope to see you there!