OCSA’s Inkblot, a well-established, student-run literary magazine, is gearing up for its newest volume. The publication, founded in 2002 by Susan Egan (MT, ‘87) and James P. Blaylock, is published in-house and represents students across many conservatories. For decades, the publication has remained focused on giving young artists a professional forum to share their talents. OCSA Creative Writing Director Josh Wood is the current adviser for the Inkblot team.
“[Inkblot students] inspire me with their dedication to excellence, their ability to discuss complex aesthetic issues, their overall drive and talent. We engage in some high-level discussions about the quality of various artistic pieces,” said Mr. Wood.
Milana Berhe (CW, ‘24), Inkblot’s editor-in-chief and head senior editor said the goal of the magazine is to share the talents and creativity of OCSA students in a physical format.
“So family members, incoming students, and visitors know what to expect from an education in Creative Writing. Additionally, it’s a built-in publishing opportunity for practically every kind of artist at OCSA, which I don’t think many people know,” Milana said.
Inkblot frequently works alongside students in the Martin & Cynthia Howard Design & Media and Visual Arts conservatories because, although the majority of submissions to the magazine is writing, Inkblot also accepts art and musical compositions. The publication receives over 300 submissions a year and accepts approximately 15% for publication.
Jamie Jung (CW, ‘24) is an editor for the publication and said every new year brings new editors and perspectives, allowing them to make each edition of the publication unique.
“Through collaborative debate and reviewing of submissions, we are able to reach a fresh point of inspiration for the magazine. Usually the pieces will align themselves like stars and write a collective story of their own,” Jamie said.
Mr. Wood said being on this team sets a demanding schedule for students, but Inkblot editors often plan to pursue careers in writing and editing. They also serve as representatives for OCSA and the Creative Writing Conservatory at public events, interacting with current and prospective OCSA families. He said that this gives these students skills that make them well-rounded, intelligent, perceptive, and personable.
Inkblot is also an award-winning publication, winning the highest award given by The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) nearly every year since it was founded.The 2022-2023 volume of Inkblot won the REALM Superior Literary Magazine Award from the NCTE.
“As writers, unless you do something like performance poetry, work rarely gets shared, so I think it’s important to have opportunities to share your work in non-performing arts. For everyone who’s paper art isn’t seen, Inkblot is where we can elevate it,” said Milana.
Jamie said that the purpose of Inkblot is to represent and highlight the works of the student body, and the editors strive to facilitate a connection for students with their conservatory and each other. Creative Writing Conservatory students can apply at the end of the school year to become editors for the publication, and experienced artists connect with Inkblot Senior Editors to become an art adviser/editor. The deadline for OCSA students to submit work to the magazine is March 17.
Additional fun facts about Inkblot:
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Part I & Part II
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Brady Bunch
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Wes Anderson
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Buddy the Octopus, the CW mascot, was invented by Mr. Wood’s first group of student editors. The students chose the octopus because they (1) fit into small places, and this team often met in any small rooms available on campus, (2) they disappear into their surroundings, and (3) they defend themselves with ink!
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For a few years, Mr. Wood took Inkblot student editors to the largest literary convention in the country, the Association of Writers & Writing Programs Conference, to sell the magazine to attendees on the show floor.