Say Hello To: Destiny Lyda

 It's time for another "Say Hello To" blog piece!

Credit to Destiny Lyda 

This week I talked to a creative writing major, Destiny Lyda. Destiny is a sophomore here at Bloom. She originally started out as a secondary education major but was quickly drawn to the creative writing track. She told me that through one of her GenEd classes, Foundations of Writing, she became more interested in the English Department and what it had to offer. Destiny explained, "I had a great professor named Dr. Costanzo who talked about English and linguistics with such a passion, it sparked something in me!" She went on to tell me that she had always had a passion for writing and she had even thought about pursuing it but never thought she could. Destiny mentioned her concern to Dr. Costanzo. From there, he encouraged her to check out the other writing classes offered at Bloomsburg and see what happened. 

But what finally tipped the scales for Destiny was after going through field experience in the education major. She realized this was something she wasn't truly passionate about, so she made the decision to follow her dream of majoring in creative writing. 

The transition from one major to the other was smooth and easy. When Destiny entered the English department, her advisor Dr. Wemple helped her navigate the new major.  He added her with picking classes and gave her access to resources and emails if there was ever a question she needed answered. At the start of Fall 2020, Destiny officially became a part of the Creative Writing track here at Bloomsburg University. She told me, "Every single English class I have taken has been the best. I have learned so much and I get to write and read to my heart's content!"

Here at BU, every department strives for student success and encourages students to share their work with many organizations on and off-campus. The English department is no exception. While Destiny and  I chatted back and forth over email, I asked her what was it about the department she liked the most. She replied that organizations like Warren, the literary magazine here at Bloom, was one of those things that she was drawn to. She also commented on the opportunities that arise for amateur writers through contests put out by the English Department or organizations like Warren. 

Destiny also told me that she cannot wait for the semesters to come. She encourages those interested in literature and writing to consider a major or minor in English.  Destiny explained at the end of our communication that she can attest firsthand that English is not just books and writing.  The English Department includes degrees in professional writing or literature. These paths can open many doors for students wishing to have a career with companies and organizations as high-quality writers or publishers. When asked about what should readers take away from this interview, Destiny replied, "There is more to an English degree than you would think. If you have even a slight interest in a class or track in the department, ask! If you want to pursue that interest, the English Department can help."

Meet Our Students: Liana Amadeo

What's your name? Liana (Lee) Rosalie Amadeo
Where are you from? Central Islip, Long Island, NY
What's your major? English, Secondary Education
Minor? Literature
Year? Senior
Literary Strengths? Writing Analysis
Favorite books and/or TV shows? My favorite book is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Why did you become an English major? In 8th grade I had a really caring English teacher who pushed me to be the best I can be and showed me that I was actually good at something when I didn’t truly see any of my strengths. He is one of the many reasons I chose this profession.
Favorite class(es) ever taken? Creative Writing with Professor Koch and Literature for Young Adults with Dr. Stuart
What organizations are you a part of? Warren Literary and Art Journal, Sigma Tau Delta
Favorite subjects to write about, formally or informally? I love writing memoir pieces about my own life. I also like to write about Marvel and Transformers in my free time.
Quick, create a title for a book you’d like to write: A Marvelous Transformation
Now a title for a book about you: Little Lee
Dream job? 12th grade English teacher
Any advice for incoming freshmen or students thinking about taking more English classes? Take something that isn’t in your comfort zone. You may be surprised by how much you love the challenge.

Liana is the Managing editor of Warren Literary and Art Journal, which is currently taking submissions! Check out their social media to learn more: 

Instagram: @warrenbu49

Twitter: @warrenbu49

Email: litmag@bloomu.edu

Bad Poetry Night: Warren Literary and Art Journal

Halloween Flash Fiction Contest

Welcome (back) to BU: Activities Fair Coverage

Welcome (back) to BU: Activities Fair Coverage

Hi everybody, and welcome to Bloomsburg University. If you’re returning, welcome back! Since this is obviously the English Department blog, covering any and all things related, we’re kicking off this semester with a recap of some of the great organizations related to the English Department.

WALES (Writing and Literacy Engagement Studio) is probably the best place to get help with any kind of writing project you’ll have this semester. The yellow bookmarks this WALES rep is holding in the pic are too little to read on screen, but they list available hours in Andruss Library (Schweiker Room), Bakeless 206, and Elwell Hall (N219). Check out their full schedule at http://bloomu.edu/wales for their full hours schedule, or email them at wales@bloomu.edu for an appointment.

Warren, the campus Literary and Art journal, just had their 70^th anniversary last year of the journal existing on campus (under various names). They’re holding their initial meeting Thursday, August 29, in Bakeless, so be sure to swing by and hear about all the cool things they’re doing this semester. These lovely ladies are showing the most recent edition of the journal, which is completely student-published, and also completely free, so ask them for any extras they may have lying around. Check out their website: http://warrenliteraryjournal.wordpress.com/

NCTE stands for the National Council of Teachers of English, and they “amplify the voice of educators through personal connection, collaboration, and a shared mission to improve the teaching and learning of English and language arts at all levels” (http://www2.ncte.org/). Check them out if you’re on the Secondary Ed English track.

The Voice, the campus newspaper, prints every Thursday and is always looking for new “voices” in their sections. Check them out online at http://buvoice.com/, especially if you're a writer looking for something to talk about.

Other pics and tables from the fair:

Table Top Gaming club, representing;

The Anime and Manga club was doing really well;

The Sci Fi club, having a blast (and apparently learning the ukulele);

Active Minds in health and wellness was so busy I could barely get a picture;

The LGBTQA table had FREE pride flags!

The Women’s Resource Center, perfectly posing;

And the whole fair!

Here's to the start of a great semester.

Warren Website

The Warren website now has the micro-essay and mini poetry winners posted on their website!  You can find them under the "contests" tab on their site.  They are also now featuring a blog section, where you can find updates on the journal, contests, featured works, and all things Warren-related. 

If you are interested in checking out their site, the link is here, but we now have a permalink on the side of this blog under "Affiliated Groups."  Please check them out and give them your support!

Warren Contests Winners

The winners of the Warren micro-essay and mini-poetry contests have been announced!

The Poetry contest winners are:

1st: Nerves by Hannah Everett

2nd: Rose-Colored Glasses by Geara Catania

3rd: Landmine by Julia Miller

Honorable mention: Sin by Katelyn McGuire



Two Micro-essay winners tied for first place!

Middle of the Night Panic Attacks: Cause Rarely Identifiable by Morgan Mickavicz

and

Hunger by Sarah Goulet


All the winners should be posted on the Warren's website in the next few weeks.  Please check it out, and congratulations to all winners!

Narrow's Open Mic and Micro Contest Announcements

Warren Contests and Open Mic

As a reminder to all students interested in entering short contests, the deadline is coming up for the micro essay contest this Friday, November 2nd.  A micro essay is a one-page essay that can fall under any subject and style.  The Brevity Magazine has some excellent examples of these essays, which you can view here.

For your submissions, you are allowed to enter 1 (one) essay of any genre, as long as it falls under the word count (one page, single-spaced, font size 12.  The essay should be submitted as a Word (.doc or .docx) to litmag@bloomu.edu under the header "Full name/Title/Microcontest."  Don't place your name anywhere on the document.

There is a mini poetry contest sponsored by the Warren as well.  You may submit up to two poems of any genre.

Additionally, The Warren will be hosting an open mic on Monday, November 12th. Winners will be announced at the Narrow open mic held at 6:30 p.m., Monday, November 12, in room 004 Student Services Center (the small auditorium downstairs). The open mic is open to all students would like to read a poem or short prose piece, but you need to have entered the contest.

The Warren Literary Journal Website

The Warren Literary Journal is proud to announce that as of this semester, there is now a website for students to explore!

Check it out at:
https://warrenliteraryjournal.wordpress.com/.

Every spring semester, the Warren features writers and artists from Bloomsburg University.  The committee, from editorial work to graphic design, is completely student-run, and students from all disciplines are free to submit entries in photography, graphic and print art, creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry.  The journal also features the winners of university-sponsored contests such as the Fuller Fiction Award, the Peters Award for Creative Nonfiction, the Baillie Award for the Literary Essay, and the Savage Poetry Award.

Interested in learning more about entering your own work or reading last year's edition?  On their new website you may download the pdf copy, read the submission guidelines, and check up on upcoming deadlines.

Furthermore, the Warren is holding several contests this semester.  There will be:

• a micro essay contest starting Monday, October 1st
• a mini-poem contest starting Friday, November 2nd

Please check out the contest guidelines here!