April 24, 2008

Party planned to celebrate new look of 'Grassroots'

by Andrea Hahn

CARBONDALE, Ill. — "Grassroots," the undergraduate literary magazine of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, is fatter and the people who made it that way are having a party to celebrate.

"Grassroots" has been around for years, but this year the student editorial committee is trying something new. They've consolidated the magazine into a once-a-year publication and are including more visual art. The result, this year, is 180 pages featuring more than twice as many poets, prose writers and visual artists.

The party, which is also an open mic opportunity, is from 7 to 9 p.m. on April 30 in the Faner Hall courtyard (second floor). If it rains, it will be in the Humanities Lounge in Faner Hall. There will be free appetizers, soft drinks, desserts and door prizes. Winners of the Open Mic Reading win free gifts. It is not necessary to participate in the open mic readings to attend the party – everyone is welcome.

"Grassroots" accepts submissions from SIUC undergraduate students only. The editorial board sponsors the annual Devil's Kitchen Fall Literary Festival, an event that brings newly published as well as established poets and prose writers to campus for several days of readings and discussion about the art of creating literature. For more information, visit www.siu.edu/~grassroots/.