The ties that entwine Temple’s literary world with its artistic community continue to strengthen as the staff of Hyphen Magazine begins publication of its fourth annual issue.
A student-run magazine built upon the ideal of providing a public forum showcasing talented writers and artists situated throughout the campus, Hyphen’s success has helped to fill the need for a literary outlet that promotes the freedom of imagination while upholding artistic integrity.
Started in the spring of 2000 through the inspiration of Jenna Osman, the magazine began as the final assignment for an undergraduate poetry class.
The original staff of 20 members produced a collaborated mass of student works fit into a single form of literature.
Their success in this project ignited the inspiration to publish a University wide magazine that would include the whole community of Temple’s creative minds.
“There are a lot of writers everywhere, especially on an urban college campus,” stated Jeff Reichman, an editor of Hyphen magazine, “This gives them an outlet to publish their work.
And it’s pretty progressive, meaning anyone can submit and anyone can be published, regardless of their major.”
No longer a classroom endeavor, Hyphen has increased thier circulation to 1500 issues per year throughout campus.
With an average of 96 pages of student works comprised in each edition, the magazine features an abundance of poetry and prose with content ranging from love and betrayal to strong convictions on political issues.
However, the staff has invested a large interest on increasing their numbers of artwork publications.
With an influx of extra funds raised by staff members, their goal to create a magazine containing a greater “visual diversity” may be within reach for the fourth upcoming issue.
Hyphen’s staff is also currently working with the faculty outreach of Tyler’s School of Art in hopes of collaborating all genres of expression, including drama and photography, into one large community.
Receiving well over 400 submissions annually from students, hungry for their works to be discovered by a large audience, Hyphen’s current staff consists of approximately 15 active members whose majors range from English to political science.
Together, they work to produce literature reflecting the Universities encouragement of a diversity of unbridled thinkers interested in creating a strong, expressive community.
“It’s about having a forum for students to publish in a very local way in their university and building a community in that way through the printed word,” stated Matthew Chambers, a Hyphen editor and contributor.
“I believe in the larger sense of a community of writing, and that’s where Hyphen steps in with other magazines, such as Fusion, put out by the English department.”
While working towards creating a joined society of artistic minds, Hyphen’s staff also lends support to the communities extending off campus.
Devoting volunteer work to local organizations such as the free library’s book store, The Book Corner, as well as Habitat for Humanity, and the Philadelphia Food Bank, the staff of Hyphen plans on continuing to extend support to the community in any small way they can.
Most importantly, though, Hyphen’s primary purpose is to provide opportunity for all students to freely express themselves in whatever form possible.
“Our goal is to represent the student population,” stated Reichman, ” not necessarily having a thematic content magazine.
Therefore, the content reflects what the students are thinking about and going through. I think it builds a degree of solidarity among the artistic community.”
If interested in submitting to Hyphen magazine, students can bring up to 7 pages of work to the Hyphen mailbox on the 10th floor of Anderson Hall with the author’s name included only on the cover sheet.
Deadline is November 5th.
Coryn Brown can be reached at MCButtaflyz@aol.com
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