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Camosun celebrates writing, imagery with newest literary journal

Beside the Point launch event Monday at college to feature readings by contributors
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The image “Freedom to Exist,” is among a number of photographs used to illustrate the theme of “power” that runs throughout Camosun College’s 2019 literary journal, Beside the Point . Photo by Lee Ingram

Students from Camosun College’s School of Arts and Science have joined forces for the relaunch of the creative writing department’s literary journal, Beside the Point.

The finished product will be showcased, along with the 20 contributing writers and six photographers in a public launch event Monday (April 8, 5 to 6:30 p.m.) in Room 100 of the Fisher Building at the college’s Lansdowne Campus.

Cover for the new Camosun College literary journal, Beside the Point, being launched this week after being produced by creative writing and photography students at the college. Image by Chelsea Vignola

Ten contributors will read from their works, while the images of three of the photographers will also be on display.

Given “Power” as a theme to work with, current students and alumni submitted pieces using a range of writing styles from creative non-fiction to fantasy and science fiction, literary fiction, horror, poetry and more. Each deals with the uses of power from the more light to the dark, from fictional superheros or real-life heroes, to the misuse of power by corrupt leaders, to individual domination and other abuses.

Students in instructor Jodi Lundgren’s Editing and Publishing applied learning course (Creative Writing 159) created an assessment criteria for the submissions, made the selections, edited them and laid out the magazine. They worked together with Camosun photography students to create an engaging format that Lundgren hopes readers will find appealing.

”I’m particularly excited about the visual narrative in the journal,” she says. “It brings it more to life and you’re turning the page to find out what happens next. The print version makes the storytelling more visceral.”

She was somewhat surprised to hear the enthusiasm with which the current group of students lobbied to create a strong print version of the journal, as opposed to something that would find most of its audience online.

“It seems print is making a revival,” Lundgren adds.

Each new class has a new editor and takes its own editorial stance for the magazine. The art used for the previous edition was graphic illustrations, given that many in the class were part of Camosun’s Comic and Graphic Novel program.

The photography students, drawing on the same theme of “power” as the writers, submitted artwork that illustrated power in various forms. The images run from Lee Ingram’s stark image of clenched fists, a coconut interrupting the flow of the tide and a voyeuristic view into an apartment window, to Chelsea Vignola’s “cyanotope” negative cover image, entitled “A Force to Be Reckoned With,” of a young woman coming into her own autonomy.

A small run of hard copies, 125, has been printed and will be available for a cost of $12. Since the previous edition sold out quickly, Lundgren hopes enough will remain after the launch to have some copies for sale in the college bookstore.

A Facebook event page has been set up for Monday’s launch, where you can indicate your attendance. Light refreshments will be available. Camosun College is at 3100 Foul Bay Rd., and parking for the event can be found in the campus’ south lot off Lansdowne Road.



editor@mondaymag.com

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Photographer Leigh Nicole Leal’s “The Lady” is among multiple images illustrating power that are interspersed through the new Camosun College literary journal, Beside the Point , being launched this week. Photo by Leigh Nicole Leal