Dear Readers & Supporters of Inklings,
We hope you are doing well amid this turbulent and rapidly changing time. Due to the spread of COVID-19, Eastern University has moved classes online and had asked students to leave the campus unless there were extenuating circumstances preventing them from doing so. There are more detailed updates available from Eastern University available here.
This year, we have made the decision to open submissions up to all undergraduate students. We realize, though, that this demographic is one of the most impacted during this time due to displacement and many other factors. Therefore, we have decided to extend the deadline for submissions to April 5th 11:59PM (EST).
Being an undergraduate student myself, I have personally seen the impact of COVID-19 on my school and my peers. I have been struggling mentally with adjusting to this new reality, but I can only imagine what it is like for students who have been displaced from their safe spaces on campus into what may be uncertain and unpredictable circumstances. My thoughts are with these students who are vulnerable and struggling. It is why we are doing what we can at Inklings to accommodate students, not only at Eastern, but at large.
We are also a publication that is staffed by undergraduate students that relied on tech provided to us through our university. During this time, we will not be able to access our computer with our layout software and our normal printer. Due to this (as well as other factors), we will not be able to produce a print edition of Inklings this year. We will, however, continue to work remotely to produce a digital edition of Inklings that our readers will still be able to enjoy.
We understand that this may be frustrating to submitters who are accepted. For this year’s issue, we will publish all pieces online as normal, but we will also include them in next year’s print edition. We will do everything we can to make sure your words are printed in some capacity. I am continuing to discuss this further with the Managing Editor, Erin, and I will update this post as things become more clear and we develop a stronger plan.
Although we can not meet together in person like we normally do, Inklings staff will still be reading, editing, and accepting submissions. We will be communicating regularly through Zoom and email. We humbly ask to give us patience during this time, as we are also undergraduate students who are trying to adjust. Please bear with us. We will send out responses as soon as we are able. We are hoping to get responses out by mid-April. Again, I will continue to update this post as we navigate this.
Lastly, We are still accepting submissions. You can submit on our submission guidelines page as normal. Now more than ever, we want to hear what you have to say and express. We want to help you and support you. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us via our contact form or directly through our email at inkings@eastern.edu.
I hope that everyone stays safe and is kind to themselves at this time. I am here for you. Inklings is here for you. We will get through this.
With care & love,
Nicole Markert, Editor-in-Chief
Inklings Literary Magazine 