To celebrate making it through the past year, scholars at the APKCFEE want to create a magazine with stories of growth, success, and takeaways from the Wilkes community. The year 2020 was filled with many challenges and experiences. How did you deal with this unique year, how did your life change for the better, and what lessons did you learn throughout the on-going COVID-19 pandemic?
During this time, many people started businesses, completed stages in their lives, made important decisions, lost jobs and sadly lost loved ones. Life changed at home, at work, and at school. Wearing a mask is just one of these changes, but the real change happened inside of us. Individuals adjusted to new ways of living because of the obstacles that 2020 threw their way. Routines and habits were altered, while new hobbies and passions were adopted to help us survive and prove our resilience as human beings.
So what exactly is this project about? It’s about sharing the stories that make you feel proud of yourself, your family, or your friends. The possibilities are endless, whether you want to share an inspiring anecdote that could help others or a simple story that could put a smile on someone’s face. The story is yours. Our job is to edit, add colors, illustrations, and publish the piece.
Here is what you need to know about this project:
Q: How will the stories be presented?
A: Stories will be featured in a digital magazine published at the university. Your name, a brief biography, and an email address will be included alongside the story. A unique illustration will accompany your story that will be created by digital design scholar Ana Perez. All participants will receive a PDF copy of their story with its personalized illustration. Your story may also be featured on the Allan P. Kirby Center’s social media accounts (@theallanpkirbycenter) on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Q: Why should I do this?
A: Here are some reasons:
Because your story matters.
Because you can be changing someone's life or perspective.
To make your voice heard.
To create a nice memory for the university.
To try something new.
To be involved in something unique.
Q: Who can participate?
A: Any person from the Wilkes University community can submit a story. This includes students, professors, faculty, or staff.
Q: Does the story have to be about me?
A: The story does not have to be about your life specifically. It can be a story about someone else who inspired you – a friend, a family member, a teacher, etc. Simply make sure you are the owner of the story, and it is not taken from other writers.
Q: Are there any restrictions?
A: The story cannot be obscene, vulgar, or negative. It cannot promote hatred or negativism. You have to be the author and owner of the piece and have the right to use the story. We will not accept anonymous submissions.
Q: Does the story have to be Wilkes-related?
A: The story does not have to be related to Wilkes University, but you are welcome to share your experience at the university if considered important.
Q: Do I need to have a major/minor in English to contribute a story?
A: No. You do not need to be a writer or have a major/minor in English to send in a story entry. You just need to have something to say and be able to write about it. For editing and proofreading, Kirsten Peters and Sara Ross, our communication scholars, will be utilized.
Q: How long does the story have to be?
A: The story must be 500 words or less.
Q: What style does the story have to be?
A: The story should be a work of nonfiction. It can be a poem, a song, etc. The options are limitless.
Q: I want to participate, but I don’t know how to start. What should I do?
A: Here are some links that could help you to find inspiration:
Q: How creative can I be?
A: Be as creative as you want while staying within the restrictions.
Q: How many stories can I submit?
A: You can submit as many stories as you want, but only one story will be published.
Q: Do I need a title for my story?
A: Your story does not have to include a title. We can work on a title that will attract attention. If you have a title that you think should be there, please do not hesitate to add it and tell us in a sentence why that should be the title.
Q: When is the last day I can submit my story?
A: The last day we will be accepting submissions is Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Q: When I will know if my story will be included in the 2020 Vision: A Year that Changed Us All collection?
A: Winners will be announced at a later date.
Q: What do I have to do when my story is chosen?
A: We will contact you. Edits will be made to the story, where you will get to approve any revisions made by our communications scholars. Title suggestions will be provided, if needed. Illustrations will be designed to coincide with your story. We encourage communication at any point throughout the editing/design process.
Q: If I have my story ready or if I have any questions, who should I contact?
A: Please include the following three email addresses in your submission: Ana.Perez@wilkes.edu; Kirsten.Peters@wilkes.edu; Sara.Ross@wilkes.edu. Please direct design questions to Ana and writing questions to Kirsten and Sara.
