Exalted Bowdoin alums Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry Wadsworth can rest assured that the literary spirit lives on at their alma mater. Featuring poetry, prose, and photographs, The Quill and Q Magazine periodicals provide students an opportunity to both express their creativity and share their opinions.
The Quill is Bowdoin’s oldest literary magazine and has been in print since 1826. According to the organization’s website, the magazine was founded to “revive Bowdoin’s literary life.” Sharing this sentiment, co-editor Monica Das ’14 said The Quill helps “establish a literary presence on campus.”
The club has grown since its early days as a creative outlet for poets. It now plays a much larger role on campus, organizing events and publishing numerous other genres and mediums.
In addition to their bi-annual publication of student submissions, The Quill also regularly publishes themed pamphlets on topics ranging from “Imaginary Friends” to “Freudian Slips.”
The magazine also organizes “Day Long Poems” in which numerous people contribute a single line to what becomes a collective original work.
“It’s like telephone, basically,” said Das. “But with poetry.”
Although The Quill is entering its 187th year in print, few other student-run publications can claim such success.
The list of now-defunct Bowdoin publications runs long with names few students may remember, including “Ritalin,” a music/culture/humor magazine; “The Disorient,” a liberal/socialist biweekly; “The Patriot,” a conservative occasional; and “Naked,” a publication focused on social criticism and literature.
Das attributes The Quill’s success to a combination of institutional encouragement, student interest and a dedicated editorial staff.
“A lot of students are interest[ed] and submit,” said Das. “And we have a pretty solid group of students who come to meetings and are dedicated to having The Quill exist.”
A periodical currently experiencing some of the struggles that haunted past publications is Q Magazine, an LGBTQ literary magazine that explores important issues involving gender identification and sexual orientation. The editors were not availible for comment.
Although the Q Magazine is generally well received, the magazine does not accept anonymous submissions. According to Aiden Reis ’14, a frequent contributor, their prohibition on anonymity limits the submission of intimate writing. The organization is currently considering changing their policy.
Though the magazine may sometimes have trouble finding contributors willing to put a name to their words, it nonetheless plays a valuable role on campus, said Reis.
“The Q is a good space for people to express themselves and to find a community of others.”
Though Q Magazine’s stated focus is LGBTQ issues, ther periodical welcomes submissions on a variety of topics.
“A lot of allies submit,” said Reis. “It’s not necessarily about being identified as LGBTQ, but it’s about getting your thoughts out there.”
In each issue, the magazine takes up a theme intended to spark dialogue among contributors and readers.
“Our most recent theme was Reinvention,” said Reis. “So people talked about their identities in terms of reinvention, or reinvention in general.”
Despite these issues, Reis said, the magazine boasts a dedicated staff intent on ensuring its survival.
Reis also offered assistance to prospective writers.
“If people are thinking about a topic and want help writing on it, I would love to help them put something together,” said Reis. “I would love people to contribute and be excited about its presence continuing on campus.”
The Quill’s next issue will circulate during finals week. Q Magazine hopes to continue publication in the spring.