Capital University student organizations offer a variety of media forms. The WXCU Radio, The Chimes Newspaper, CapTV, and one not often discussed, ReCap Magazine.
ReCap is a student-run annual magazine publisher that shares submissions of poetry, prose, photography and visual arts.
This year the submission deadline was held back due to a lack of submissions. Editor-in-Chief Alexandra Kerr sat down to discuss the struggles and highlights of running a student magazine.
Kerr explained the biggest struggle the past semester has been reviving the hype after being away due to COVID-19. Finding students who are eager to add on the extra work has proven to be difficult.
Many students have a feeling of being sluggish or overwhelmed, which makes more work less appealing. Typically submissions are roughly around 60-70 however, this year there were 50 which is below the average mark.
This semester, organizational affairs were rushed for media exposure and reaching out to departments, which furthered the desire for an extension.
The staff reaches out to English departments and in the future hope to work more with Humanities. They are also looking to receive more submissions from the visual arts.
Kerr explained they want more exposure and familiarity to grow. While many of us may not have realized we may have seen a copy or two of the magazine. “There’s hidden gems lying around campus in lounge areas.” Such areas include the CMC (headquarters), Blackmore Library, as well as lobbies of the Ruff Learning Center and Student Union.
A tactic the ReCap team is using for increased engagement is events. Each year ReCap hosts an open mic night.
During Open Mic Night, students are able to present original or already published poetry or present their works of art.
This year a free critique event discussed why selections were accepted. The event helps to show students who weren’t published in the magazine what they can improve upon.
The process of selection and editing takes around four months. Once students submit their work, editors make their decisions over winter break.
After winter break, the process begins of meticulously aligning each of the works in a way that won’t disrupt its original nature which can prove to be difficult.
Finally, the final product will be published sometime in the spring.
The 2021 edition is in the works; however, students will have the opportunity to submit next year.
A piece of advice for interested students from Alexandra Kerr, “Don’t be afraid to submit your work!”
