This year’s issue of “The Scarab” may have significant differences from previous copies, with potential changes both in distribution and makeup.
“The Scarab” is a long-running print publication at OCU, publishing yearly copies of student works, with an emphasis on written prose and poetry. Poetry, short fiction, short plays and monologues written by students have typically been the most frequent submissions.
The OCU publication may be moving online in response to coronavirus concerns, and with the current submissions received, it may also have a greater focus on photography and visual art compared to previous years.
The editorial board for “The Scarab” includes student members of the OCU chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, an English honors society. This year has two co-editors in chief, Natalie Gregg and Joshua Moore, with other members of the editorial board currently being decided. Gregg, an English/education junior, said while “The Scarab” holds a standard to what is published, students of all writing levels are encouraged to submit.
“We are looking for high-quality works, things that you would be proud to see published in a book, but at the same time we’re not exclusionary,” Gregg said.
Gregg said the current submissions received include more photography and visual art than previous years. Depending on editorial decisions, this year’s copy may have a greater concentration on non-written works. However, “The Scarab” will still primarily be a writing publication.
Additionally, with the recent shift to online classes, “The Scarab” may be shifting to virtual copies for distribution. While no permanent decisions have been made yet, Gregg said they will be seriously considering publishing primarily online.
“In the past, we’ve manufactured quite a few physical copies, depending on demand and the number of submissions we’ve received, but basically, we’re considering putting more focus on the digital ends of things if that ends up being the case,” Gregg said.
However, the publishing process is still early, and Moore, an elementary education senior, said they are still in the selection process.
“Right now we’re just taking submissions and looking at them, but so far, when it actually comes to creating the printed or digital copies of ‘The Scarab’ we don’t usually get started on that until later in April,” Moore said.
Gregg said they will be attempting to print at least one copy for every student with submissions published in “The Scarab,” so they can have a physical copy of their published work. However, once again, this will be subject to future developments with the closed campus.
Students can submit their works to “The Scarab” using the email ocuscarab@yahoo.com. Students can submit short written pieces no longer than 3000 words, and can also submit photography or visual art but should be aware that “The Scarab” only prints in black and white.
Submissions require a word document or image of the submitted work, a title for the work, and the name of the writer, photographer, or artist. Students can also submit anonymously, or under pen names if they prefer. Submissions will be open until March 31, but that date may be subject to change.
Any students with questions can email “The Scarab” at their email address, contact either Gregg or Moore, or contact Terry Phelps, professor of English and faculty sponsor for “The Scarab.”
Luke Barrett is the web editor for Student Publications and the vice president of Sigma Tau Delta. He was not involved in the writing of this article.
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