The University of Washington Tacoma's Unveils Tahoma West Literary and Arts Magazine

Aspiring Ernest Hemingways and Pablo Picassos on campus at the University of Washington Tacoma now have an award winning publication in which they can showcase their work.

The Tahoma West Literary and Arts Magazine, located in the Mattress Factory building, publishes writings and artwork from students as well as faculty members. The submission deadline for their upcoming issue is December 15.

In its relatively short history, The Tahoma West has proven itself to be a beacon for college writers and artists who yearn to get their work in front of an audience. Among the awards bestowed upon the Tahoma West are The Association of Writers and Writing programs - one for best layout and design and another for best content.

"I really like the Tahoma West and I know many of my students contribute to it and have had positive experiences," said Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences director Bill Kuntz.

Submissions do go through a thorough editing process. First, they are judged on content and relevance by everyone in the office. If they pass this step, they are forwarded to the appropriate genre editors.

The Tahoma West contains a vast cornucopia of artistic talent pulled from students and faculty who are used to writing a lot. For fiction writers and poets, it's a paradise. The Tahoma West covers most all genres, including horror and comedy as well as song lyrics and "one liners." Just make sure it is under 3000 words.

When it comes to variety, the same is true for non fiction work as well. Students that believe they wrote a masterpiece for an academic essay, or wrote a hilarious piece of satire on a blog or even a detailed account of a personal experience, could find their work in the Tahoma West if it passes the rigorous editing process. The same 3000 word limit applies.

Currently, the University of Washington Library has a display honoring the magazine with the message to attract more talent. UWT Library Technician Lead Cecil Brower has been a regular reader of the magazine for some time. "I think the talent level is realy good," said Brower, who went on to say he hopes that more student involvement will create a wider diversity of artwork displayed in the magazine. "Hopefully we'll see more than just landscape art."

For those who are more visually motivated, The Tahoma West welcomes most forms of visual artwork from paintings to pottery as long as a quality color photograph of the piece is presented along with a Xerox copy

If a student wants to be more than a hobbyist and is seeking a career in publishing, those the Tahoma West is also hiring for talented and dedicated content editors and production specialists. Applicants are encouraged to come to their office in the Mattress factory to apply.

There is a submissions drop box outside their office in room M 150. The Tahoma West also accepts submissions through e-mail to tahomaw@u.washington.edu.