Absolute publication open to submissions
Justin combs
Editor
editor@occc.edu
OCCC’s literary journal is currently accepting submissions for its April 2010 publication, said Clay Randolph English professor.
Randolph said the publication has been active since 1974 and has remained steady through the years.
“The Absolute is one of the traditions at OCCC,” he said.
“Since the beginning of the college, the journal has been consistently published.”
Randolph said submissions include poems, short stories, essays, black and white photos and screenplays.
There is a never a shortage of stories to fill the Absolute, he said, but other categories are coming up short.
“We seem to get plenty of writing,” Randolph said, “but, fewer and fewer drawings and photos every year.”
Lyndsie Stremlow, Arts and Humanities secretary, said she has had two poems and one short story published the past three years.
“This is a great publication,” Stremlow said. “Anyone can submit. “You don’t have to be a student here, you can be from anywhere.”
Randolph said a poem and personal essay from New York were published in last year’s edition.
Up to 200 submissions are usually received for the Absolute, he said.
Two student editors of the Absolute this year are Justin Lewis and Cynthia Praefke.
Stremlow said she served as a student editor in 2005 and the editing process helped strengthen her writing skills.
“I met my best friend there and was able to learn about the critique process,” Stremlow said.
“It’s great to meet so many talented writers that share a love for writing in all disciplines.”
A reception is held each spring for those whose work is published.
Stremlow said she was fortunate enough to be selected one year at the reception to read what she had published.
“It was a humbling experience to read a deeply personal story in front of people I work with and the president and vice president of Academic Affairs,” she said.
Randolph said the deadline for submissions is Dec. 4.
Material can be submitted to Marybeth McCauley at mmccauley@occc.edu.
For more information, contact McCauley at 405-682-1611, ext. 7405 or Randolph at 405-682-1611, ext. 7238.
