I feel immense pride to to be a part of Columbia College Chicago’s Creative Writing Department. New students like myself are welcomed into the community right away and we are instantly given the opportunity to engage in the many endeavors of Columbia’s literary scene. One of the areas where I participate is as an assistant editor for Punctuate. A Nonfiction Magazine. In this capacity I am one of a handful of individuals who decide whether or not a piece is a good fit for our magazine.

Punctuate. was recently named-checked by Poets and Writers as one of nine new “need to read” literary magazines. This past Thursday night, Punctuate. staff gathered with students, other members of the Columbia community, and supporters of fine literature from the broader population. We met in celebration of the launch of the first print issue of the magazine. Everyone in attendance received a free copy. On, that new magazine smell!

The event took place in the 3rd floor reading room of Columbia’s library. The focal point of the room a podium dramatically set before a series of east-facing windows. These windows looks down onto Chicago’s colossal lakefront open space, Grant Park. Just beyond this is Lake Michigan. What a spot for a party!

To the right of the podium was a huge enlargement of the cover of Punctuate. Featuring a stark black-and-white photograph of an abandoned billboard by Christopher Schneberger, the cover instantly sets the tone of Punctuate’s mission: to publish complex, provocative, and unique nonfiction writing. The magazine itself has a textured matte-finish cover and ninety-eight pages all types of nonfiction writing augmented by crisp photography. There’s even an unexpected glossy insert in the middle, an illustrated essay by Ander Monson called Monster Manual.

Several nearby tables were covered with refreshments and snacks. Excited people congregated around these, discussing the differences between the print iteration and the online version of the magazine. The consensus seemed to be that one experiences the two versions somewhat differently due to the nature of the mediums, but both editions represent all that’s good about literary magazines – living literature that is here and now, and can be engaged with.”

Also present for the celebration were Punctate’s book review editor T. Clutch Fleischmann and Ian Morris, the managing editor. Morris laid to rest any trepidations I had about submitting my own work, given my status as both an assistant editor on the magazine and a student. “You’re too hung up on that,” he said. “It doesn’t matter where you’re coming from. We want good work. Don’t exclude yourself.”

The formal part of the evening commenced with prepared statements and extemporized remarks from the editors of Punctuate. Following this was a group of readings by Punctuate. contributors and graduate student staff and included Tyrell Collins, Isabelle Davis, Sadaf Ferdowski, and Todd Summar. These readings were personal essays, poignant and brave.

After the readings and some closing remarks, I caught up with Garnett Kilberg Cohen who, along with Re’Lynn Hansen, is editor of the magazine.

“One of the things I’m most happy about is that, as with Columbia Poetry Review, Punctuate. strives to give student writers the opportunity to publish their work within the same pages as established industry giants,” said Garnett. “It’s emerging work and established work. Experimental and traditional. All side by side.”

With these words, Garnett reminded me that I am in a truly unique place, embedded in the literary world at Columbia College Chicago.

Be sure to check out Punctuate. either online or the beautiful print edition. And, hey, they’re looking for submissions.