ECU Literary Season kicks off with open-mic and new face for 'Originals'

ADA, Okla. - East Central University's annual literary season kicks off with the "Originals" open-mic, hosted on the first floor of the Linscheid Library, Sept. 26 at 3:30 p.m.

The open-mic will offer ECU students, faculty and the general public an opportunity to meet the editors for the upcoming 2025 edition of "Originals," learn about the submission process for students and share their own original writing and visual art pieces. The event is free and open to the public. Open-mic preference will be given to current students.

"Originals" is an annual literary journal that has been a fixture of ECU since the 1950s. The journal offers students from any department across the ECU campus an opportunity to submit their writings or artwork for potential publication.

"Originals" accepts submissions in poetry, short stories, novel chapters, song lyrics, artwork and more. Thousands of students have been featured in "Originals" over the decades.

"The Originals magazine not only becomes an annual showcase for ECU's talented writers and artists, but it also serves as an amazing historical artifact," said Dr. Mark Walling. "Since it has been published continuously since the 1950s, we can walk back in time through its pages and see how major themes and concerns and attitudes change throughout the decades."

This year's open-mic also marks the first year that Walling, who has served as the long-term faculty advisor for the literary journal, will no longer be a part of the journal's publication.

"I have been honored to serve as faculty advisor of this outstanding publication since 1996," Walling added. "I feel some sadness in letting go of my work with the editors, writers, and artists, but I am thrilled that Dr. Joshua Grasso has agreed to serve in this role. He is a great writer and a gifted teacher. He will bring tremendous knowledge, energy and enthusiasm to this endeavor."

Grasso, who has taught at ECU since 2006, has been a supporter and collector of "Originals" since he first joined the ECU family. This event will offer him the opportunity to discuss the future of the publication and introduce the newest assistant editors, current students; Destrie Cloud, Saydee Bryce and Maia Clark.

Information about submission to "Originals" will be available at the open-mic, along with copies of past editions for browsing. Previous volumes may also be accessed on the Linscheid Library website at ecuoriginals.wixsite.com/ecuoriginals.

Flyers for the 20th Annual Scissortail Festival, set for April 3-5, 2025, will also be available with information about the upcoming event.

For more information on "Originals," contact Grasso at [email protected]. For information about the ECU English Department, contact Dr. Stephen Pedersen at [email protected].

Cutline: Dr. Joshua Grasso, ECU professor and new Faculty Advisor for ECU's "Originals"

Share this post