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Ivory Tower
ivory@umn.edu
612-625-6566
ivory@umn.edu
612-625-6566
Ivory Tower
Updates
Poetry Workshop and Teaser Release Party Next Tuesday!
Ivory Tower fans! Join your fellow fanatics for the ultimate night o' literary fun on December 1st at 5:30pm in Coffman 303. Acclaimed poet and professor Michael Dennis Browne will be leading a poetry workshop from 5:30-6:30pm, so come prepared to write something new, and bring a few pieces you've already written to discuss with Ivory Tower editors!
November 23rd, 2009
Afterwards, stick around for the Ivory Tower 2009 Teaser release party, complete with pizza, cupcakes, raffles for free tickets around town, and spoken word performances! Contact ivory@umn.edu with any questions.I Have A Confession To Make...
You know how with reality television on every show of every season there is at least one big confession that some cast member makes, and it's generally something that any normal person wouldn't admit on national television? Well, sorry, my confession is not as juicy, but I have one nonetheless. At the beginning of this school year I did not count myself among the ranks of non-fiction fans. As the semester has progressed though I have found myself more and more intrigued by the unwieldy beast. To be brief, I have developed an addiction to non-fiction--it could almost be a song name.
I am not quite sure how the addiction started, but I definitely feel that it has something to do with being a part of the Ivory Tower staff and really making an effort to connect myself with all that Ivory Tower is, part of that being non-fiction.
I have always been skeptical of non-fiction; I thought it was a dull collection of dust pressed into a page with no character or feeling, but that was a naïve assumption. It takes a lot of character and feeling for a writer or reader to delve into non-fiction. Though I have discovered it is a creature that's definition cannot be concretely decided upon, there is an overwhelming amount of honesty to be gained in reading non-fiction. Reading more non-fiction this year, like On Death and Dying by Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, has taught me a lot about myself, others, and society that I do not feel I could have learned as fully from fiction, poetry, or visual art.
Reading more non-fiction has also motivated me to pick up my pen and write more. Write about me, my thoughts, the people I know. It sounds narcissistic, I know, but lets be honest, we are very egocentric beings, we should embrace it and use it to connect with others. I am not the only person at the University of Minnesota whose parents are divorced, my friend is not the only person on the brink of graduation wondering what's next?, my mom is not the only middle-aged woman going through a midlife crisis, that kid in my poli sci class is not the only person pushing their opinions, you are not the only person wondering how that sesame seed bun got in the middle of the road.
My newly developed addiction has made me enthused for the workshop Thursday with Julie Schumacher (the free pizza helps too!). I plan on using the workshop to brainstorm some ideas for non-fiction pieces of my own, and also to connect with other peers interested in non-fiction. I hope to see you there. Write, workshop, submit, share. I promise you'll be all the better for it.
Erin Flannery
November 18th, 2009
Managing EditorNo time to snooze when there's free pizza to be had
Dear Friends,
So for all you procrastinators staring blankly at the computer screen, this is your verbal kick in the arse. What do I mean, starting off with an accusatory statement like that? I mean, what did you do wrong?
Nothing. You've sat back, watched the deadline for submissions approach steadily, and you have not at all felt panicked or nudged into submitting your madly brilliant work. You have watched the Facebook invite for our super-awesome Fiction Workshop expire without attending, which is unforgivable when said event had TONS of free pizza. And candy. Come on, you must be a dedicated procrastinator if you pass up free eats.
Well, this is your alarm clock, ringing incessantly, and I will not let you put me on snooze, my friend. NOW is the time to email that itching-to-be read poem or short story to us, press "print" to see that insightful nonfiction essay emerge from the depths of your printer, get off your stale chair and move your literary-fiending limbs over to our nonfiction workshop this Thursday. Even if you're not what you think of as a "nonfiction" writer, come, indulge us, make friends and schmooze. Any writing is good exercise, and especially the kind of writing you let sit, gathering dust, in your writing toolbox. All you nonfiction writers out there, you have even LESS of an excuse, so show your numbers - we want to see your genius!!
Stop accumulating dust - become active in your literary community - whether that mean religiously following our Facebook group (join it, y'all, if only because it looks cool on your profile), coming to our events to share your work and get feedback from us, to submitting as much as early as possible, giving us tips on upcoming literary events in the Twin Cities community, or just talking about us to your friends - show support, be active in your community. We're not asking for money, we're just asking for permission to showcase your talent. We exist solely for the purpose of getting YOUR work out there. So please, submit, email us with suggestions, come to our events, let us represent you.
Plus, how many times can I reiterate the free 'za?? For real. Let's do this. No day but today, right?
Thanks for moving your arse,
November 18th, 2009
Melissa, Co-Editor-in-ChiefA Word From Our Web Editor...
Dear Custodians of Art and Literature,
If you made it to Dislocate's book and poetry reading Wednesday, you are well aware that Professor Michael Dennis Brown is retiring. When he took the podium that night and declaimed his poems, they came like a sweeping wind, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of loss. His upcoming collection is dedicated to his students, so thank him while he's here. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.
We are hosting a Non-Fiction writing workshop November 19th at 5:30 in Nolte, and we would love to see you there! Bring your work, improve your writing, and keep the blood of literature pumping through campus. There will be pizza! Also, remember that the submission deadline is drawing near, so don't put off writing, drawing, or whatever you do that we love. You may get your professional start at the Ivory Tower. Yes, you could be the next Garrison Keillor!
Hope to see you soon!
Agnes Rzepecki
November 17th, 2009
Web-EditorTime Flies When You're an Ivory Staffer!
Hello All,
The Fiction Workshop behind us and pockets full of submissions must mean the end is near for this semester. But don't fret, at the Ivory Tower we are always sure to wear cargo pants (we look good!) making certain we've got room for your impressive submissions.
Missed the fiction workshop? No fear! We're excited to announce our Non-Fiction Workshop on November 19th. Join us for free food and drinks alongside amazing guidance and inspiration in Nolte 140 at 5:30 pm. It's gunna be a great time! Bring your non-fiction works to discuss with our non-fiction editors and your questions for our staff. Once you've perfected your non-fiction piece submit it to the Ivory Tower!
The staff has been working hard (for you!) on our Teaser - set to hit campus on December 1st. Look forward to procrastinating and not paying attention in class with our little 8 page mini-journal. We've included the best from Ivory Tower past issues, dating back to the 1960s. Not to mention the comedic attempts of the ever-so-talented Ivory Tower staff. We have had so much fun putting it together and I honestly can't wait to have it printed! Sooner then I know it the actual journal will be printed!With that I say goodbye for now Blog-World. Till our paths cross again!
Rachelle Kuehne
November 11th, 2009
Co-Editor In Chief
