The Columbus School is launching a new literary magazine, giving students a space to showcase their creativity through fiction, poetry, and other literary forms.

Led by Art of Fiction 3 students and guided by Ms. Alyssa Jodoin, the magazine complements the school’s newspaper, The Discoverer, by focusing on artistic expression. While The Discoverer excels in journalism and real-world reporting, this new publication fulfills a long-standing goal of providing students with a platform to explore storytelling and share original works. It represents a unique opportunity for student voices to be heard through artistic literature.

“We already have The Discoverer for journalism and real-world reporting, but this magazine will give students a space to explore their creativity and share stories they might not have shared otherwise,” Antonia Velez, senior, said.

After years of discussions, students have finally taken concrete steps to bring the literary magazine to life. The project is a collaborative effort involving students in writing, editing, logistics, and even managing the magazine’s digital presence. This hands-on experience has allowed them to acquire valuable skills in both the creative and technical aspects of publishing.

“I am creating the actual website of the magazine in InDesign, and it’s very challenging,” Vélez said.

In addition to providing a creative outlet, the magazine offers students an opportunity to apply their academic experiences in a real-world context. For students like Vélez and Senior Manuela Isaza, both of whom have taken rigorous AP English courses, the magazine is an ideal opportunity to put their writing and editing skills to use.

“Being in AP Language and Composition has helped me structure my work better, revise it thoroughly, and ensure clarity and conciseness in my writing,” Isaza said.

As the magazine takes shape, students have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure its success. Their efforts include reaching out to teachers and administrators for approval, securing permissions, and organizing writing competitions to engage the student body.

“I’ve been working on logistics, making sure every team is ready for the launch, talking with teachers about writing competitions, and helping with fundraising. Seeing the magazine take shape has been really fulfilling,” Isaza said.

While the enthusiasm surrounding the magazine is palpable, it hasn’t been without its challenges. Coordinating contributions from different students, securing administrative approval, and keeping the momentum going have all required perseverance.

“The biggest challenge has been getting everyone in class to complete their tasks. There’s a lot that goes into creating a literary magazine, from working with teachers to ensuring we have all the necessary permissions,” Isaza said.

Importantly, the new literary magazine is not intended to compete with The Discoverer, but rather to complement it by offering a different kind of student expression. While The Discoverer continues to provide hard-hitting journalism and reporting, the literary magazine will give students the chance to explore creative writing in a more artistic way.

“The Discoverer is the OG publication of The Columbus School—you can never come for the crown. There’s a saying that I like: ‘The crown is heavy, you might as well leave it where it is,’ meaning no one can take our legacy,” Andrew Shainker, Director of Student Media of The Discoverer, said.

With all the groundwork in place, the literary magazine is poised for success. It promises to be an exciting addition to the school’s media landscape, offering students a platform to share their creative works while gaining practical experience in publishing.

“I hope that students can submit their stories, photography, and other creative works, making them feel they have a space where their voices can truly be heard,” said Isaza.