After reading Burt’s article, “The Persistence of Litmags,” I can safely proclaim that the purpose of Toyon is not about making money. As a student-run literary journal without a particularly strong online presence in today’s digital world- it’s a good start to be able to boast of subscribers at all.
So, what then is the purpose and function of Toyon? To answer this other questions must be examined first. Whom is the target audience, for a start, and how is this journal any different from the many, many others already out there? Toyon itself has a moderate history. Baring a single year, it has attained a yearly publication since its conception in 1954. The last few years have also seen many changes that have only encouraged a more inclusive readership/publication. The recent addition of spaces for audio works, multilingual pieces, spoken word, and environmental justice writing reflect Humboldt State University’s vision of diverse individuals seeking to improve our environments and the human condition (Mission, Vision, and Values; humboldt.edu). Toyon is also one of the only literary journals in print in the far North of Northern California. Nothing like being the only one around to beat out the rest of the competition. However, is this enough to make Toyon stand out? In four words, it does not matter. Or better yet, it should not matter. The purpose and function of Toyon should focus on encouraging creative writing and providing learning opportunities in literary publishing for the students at Humboldt State (home page, toyonliterarymagazine.org). In no way do I mean to express that the Toyon cannot expand and further its own interests. Already it receives global submissions and awards for outstanding pieces published have been given to members of Humboldt County along with people from out-of-state. It’s not geared exclusively for the students of Humboldt State University alone. I only wish to reiterate that as long as its growth does not come at the sacrifice of its origin then the students working on Toyon won’t feel like their energies are spent on something where they inevitably look forward to clocking-out at the end of the day versus ringing up a sense of satisfaction at what they’ve produced. Writing is both a tool to express what we cannot say and a way to speak through the ages. It is an enduring form of communication. With Toyon, we can look back and get a sense of the students and the community surrounding Humboldt State University through the written relics they have left behind. We can track its growth through a multi-dimensional society. Writing and the creative arts have always been responsible for stirring up thoughts and emotions. Toyon’s transformation into a more inclusive literary journal (submissions open to all languages for example) is as much an important social step as it can be a political one in today’s atmosphere of tensions across multiple levels of diversity. When it comes down to it, Toyon’s current run exemplifies two things: we are curious and we want to hear what you have to say. Link to Toyon Literary Magazine: www.toyonliterarymagazine.org
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About These Blog PostsWhile we work on the Toyon we must also blog about it. Sometimes it's through simple updates and sometimes we will be given specific assignments that we must answer. Archives
December 2016
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