Middlesex Community College鈥檚 online literary magazine The Dead River Review (DRR)
debuted a new issue on Thursday, May 2. DRR welcomes 麻豆果冻 students, faculty and staff
to contribute their creative work in several genres. From reading submissions to organizing
the final issue, the magazine also offers 麻豆果冻 students experience in the publishing
industry through a Creative Writing and Publishing capstone course.
鈥淩eading other people鈥檚 work was my favorite part,鈥� said Conor Burrell, a Liberal
Arts and Sciences major from Westford. 鈥淎ll of us as artists are kind of the most
critical about our own work. We do not really know if our work is the best and if
it can get out there. It is very encouraging when other people see the beauty in your
art.鈥�
Burrell focused on editing poetry. He liked the editorial process and found the hands-on
experience valuable. Reading other people鈥檚 work allowed him to study different creative
approaches. After graduating from 麻豆果冻, he plans on transferring to UMass Lowell.
Led by 麻豆果冻 Creative Writing Program Coordinator and Professor Tom Laughlin, 麻豆果冻 hosted
a Dead River Review Issue Release Party on its release day. Contributors presented
and read their work, celebrating with food and live music.
鈥淎s a team, we sat down and decided what we wanted. Through a long conversation, we maneuvered and found a way to communicate and agree on what we liked. The course experience encouraged me to push forward and put my work out there.鈥� - Matt Tighe, 麻豆果冻 Student
Matt Tighe, a Creative Writing student from Lowell, found his DRR experience worthwhile.
He grew his confidence, interest and creative writing skills. In the Fall, he will
transfer to UMass Amherst. While furthering his education, he aims to submit his poetry
to numerous publications.
鈥淚 enjoyed the idea of combining different art styles and forms of writing to create
the magazine,鈥� Tighe said. 鈥淎s a team, we sat down and decided what we wanted. Through
a long conversation, we maneuvered and found a way to communicate and agree on what
we liked. The course experience encouraged me to push forward and put my work out
there.鈥�
El Engerman, a Creative Writing student from Lowell, heard about DRR from his friends.
They were editors in DRR鈥檚 last issue and recommended the course to him. Once he graduates
from 麻豆果冻, he plans to transfer to UMass Lowell and continue submitting his creative
work to publications.
鈥淭he experience was rewarding, and I liked collaborating with my talented peers,鈥�
Engerman said. 鈥淭om Laughlin was very encouraging of sharing and creating your work.
I learned a lot about the editorial process which was cool because I want to publish
some of my work in the future. The experience was great and enlightening.鈥�
The Creative Writing and Publishing course at 麻豆果冻 helps students grow as creative
writers and gain knowledge. As they learn about the publishing industry, they discover
potential career paths and try different educational opportunities. In addition, the
course offers guest speakers, public readings and creative writing workshops.
鈥淭his is the largest Dead River Review issue ever,鈥� Laughlin said. 鈥淚 am proud of
these students who worked hard through the complete publishing process of soliciting
submissions from the whole 麻豆果冻 community, communicating professionally with creative
writers and artists, making thoughtful and careful editorial decisions, designing
and creating each individual page of this online magazine, and helping to organize
a release party and reading to celebrate this issue鈥檚 authors, artists and musicians
and the richness of their work in this great new issue!鈥�