On Tuesday, May 6, Middlesex Community College debuted a new issue of the online literary magazine The Dead River Review (DRR). Organized by students in the Creative Writing and Publishing capstone course, DRR is a collection of creative work in several genres from the Middlesex community.
“I cannot stress enough how invaluable the experience of being part of the Dead River Review editorial committee has been for my writing – for my experience with editing, for working with others through the editorial process, putting together an online literary magazine, all of it,” said Will Jewel, an MCC Creative Writing student, of Chelmsford. “Professor [Tom] Laughlin helped to organize it wonderfully for all the editors, and I think that was a massive help in the process of keeping people involved, learning about how it all flows and works, and just actually doing it.”
Jewel believes the class’s editorial process was well-structured and easy to follow. While improving his writing skills, the experience also helped him better analyze his own writing, as well as that of other literary works. He also developed his collaboration abilities and a stronger appreciation for writing.
Michelle Whalen, an MCC Creative Writing student, of Wilmington, has worked in the industry for three decades. From working with deadlines to developing project management skills, editing submissions to learning different systems, she calls the process “realistic” to what students will be doing in the field.
“The experience with the Dead River Review is very lifelike and an excellent example of how things work in the real world in industries like this,” Whalen said. “I can say that with confidence because I have been in graphics, printing, marketing, and creative direction, in high-pressure deadline-driven environments, since 1992. It is a very robust and just plain awesome class. You don't have to want to be an editor, but this class covers all the possibilities available in the business of writing.”
The tenth issue of DRR, this year’s version included 39 submissions – the most ever for MCC’s literary magazine. Led by Middlesex Creative Writing Program Coordinator and Professor Tom Laughlin, the class hosted a DRR release party to celebrate. Contributors had the opportunity to present and read their work while celebrating with food and live music.
To put together DRR, students in the capstone course broke into groups of two and three to read and review each genre. Once coming back as a group, the class started editing the approved submissions, emailed acceptance and rejection letters, and began formatting the magazine. This year’s issue included poems, short fiction, creative nonfiction, screenplays, visual art and music videos. Contributions came from current MCC students, alumni and faculty members.
In addition to developing their writing and editing skills, MCC’s Creative Writing and Publishing course introduces students to the publishing industry. In class, they learn about potential careers paths from the hands-on practice with DRR, guest speakers, public readings and workshops.
“Creative Writing and Publishing is a joy to teach, and students really appreciate this capstone course in the Creative Writing Program,” Laughlin said. “I’m proud of these students who worked hard through the complete publishing process of soliciting submissions from the whole MCC community, communicating professionally with creative writers and artists, making thoughtful and careful editorial decisions, designing and creating each individual page of this online magazine, and helping to organize a release party and reading to celebrate this issue’s authors, artists, and musicians and the richness of their work in this great new issue!”