Image courtesy of Fabienne Josaphat/Gulf Stream Literary Magazine
Marisol Media/Staff Writer
Writers interested in following the footsteps of alumnus Dennis Lehane, author of “Shutter Island,” can learn publishing tips on Jan. 18 at a workshop organized by Gulf Stream Magazine.
Julie Marie Wade, an award-winning author and professor of creative writing at FIU, will lead the workshop, followed by a Q&A session, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Biscayne Bay Campus.
The workshop is a fundraiser for the University’s literary magazine is $25 for regular admission and $15 for students.
Gulf Stream, FIU’s only literary magazine since 1989, first in print and now exclusively online, is a national magazine and accepts submissions from everywhere in the nation.
The magazine offers FIU students a chance to volunteer for the magazine by reading prose and poetry submissions; however, FIU students cannot publish their work in the magazine, since it allows for a conflict of interest.
“Becoming published is a really mysterious process for some people,” said Wade.
Readers often see the finished product but have no idea how the writer got there, Wade said.
Wade will dedicate the workshop to advice on how to approach journals about submissions.
“It is about finding an avenue to publish without an agent and how to get your name out there,” said Wade.
She will also talk about how to deal with rejection and how to minimize rejection stress, since, in her words, “it is a part of the process.”
Veronica Suarez, graduate student of creative writing and editor-in-chief of Gulf Stream Magazine, said it is a great opportunity for those who want to make a career of creative writing just like alumni Dennis Lehane and Richard Blanco.
“The creative writing program at FIU is very well recognized and this workshop will be led by a faculty members,” said Suarez.
Suarez, a writer herself, is familiar with what writers want out of their careers.[pullquote]“Becoming published is a really mysterious process for some people,” said Wade.[/pullquote]
“The most important thing is that you want others to read what you write and this is a great opportunity to learn how to do that,” Suarez said.
Additionally, she reminded those students interested in volunteering that they can read submissions for the magazine until March 1st.
“We have over 600 submissions each semester and review each carefully,” said Suarez, who added that the magazine does not charge a reading fee, unlike other publications.
“That is why we need fundraisers, so we can keep that service for free,” said Suarez.
The magazine publishes twice a year at gulfstreamlitmag.com. Anyone interested in registering for the workshop may do so by visiting the website or by paying cash at the door.
-bbc@fiusm.com
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