What is ABSENCE?
ABSENCE — in its 18th year of publication by the student-run Penn State Greater Allegheny Press — is an annual review of the best literary and visual art produced by students, staff, faculty and alumni of Penn State Greater Allegheny. At 120+, 8.5’ x 11’ pages, each issue is published in print and also accessible online. Using a blind-review system of evaluation, the student editors seek to publish all creative forms — all literary and visual art forms — from poems, short stories, and photography (color & black/white) to essays & criticism, creative non-fiction, graphic/digital design, painting, and drawing. Around 90% of all work selected for publication is by students, and much of this is produced in the various creative-arts courses offered by the campus each semester (including courses in photography, creative writing, digital arts, painting & drawing, sculpture, and theatre). ABSENCE is published in the last week of April of each year, and is available for the first time in paper at its annual “Celebration of the Arts: A Reading & Reception,” which features the creative work of each year’s authors and artists. Acceptance for publication by the student editors is selective and competitive, holding at a rate of 20 to 25% since 2006.
Student editors have the opportunity to earn as many as 8 hours of Penn State academic credit while working to produce ABSENCE by enrolling in English 209: Journal & Magazine Practicum (offered during the Spring semester each year). For more information about course enrollment for ABSENCE, click here for details.
Yearly publication of ABSENCE is sponsored by: The Office of the Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Admissions and Enrollment Management, the Student Activity Fee, Student Affairs, and by individual faculty and staff contributions.
For questions or to request an application to become a student editor, contact the Senior Faculty Adviser & Publisher, Dr. Clifford Manlove (ctm10@psu.edu). Dr. Manlove can also be contacted with requests for print copies of recent issues.
Mission Statement
The Mission of ABSENCE, published by the student-operated Penn State Greater Allegheny Press, is annual publication of a high-quality literary and visual arts review for the PSUGA and surrounding community. The goal of ABSENCE is to provide all full- and part-time PSUGA students, faculty, staff, and alumni with a shared venue for their creative endeavors and to generate interest in the arts in the Greater Allegheny community and the Mon Valley, in particular. The publication also provides students professional opportunities to prepare for careers in editing, publishing, journalism, and graphic design while offering opportunities for students to earn Penn State credit for their editorial work. Past student editors have gone on to careers in publishing and academia.
Editorial Staff Responsibilities
- To review, evaluate, comment on, and score ALL submissions received during the Fall and Spring submission periods in accordance with the instructions provided by the Publisher (these will be posted on Google Docs). These reviews & evaluations for all works must be submitted via Google Docs to the senior faculty adviser using the assigned forms by or before the announced deadlines.
- To respond quickly to emails using PSU email from all faculty/staff advisers, the Editor-in-Chief, or other editorial colleagues. Since we must rely a great deal on email, ALL Editorial Staff & Advisers must check email each day during the work week and at least once during the weekends.
- To regularly attend Editorial Staff meetings each week (Wednesdays from 6-7:45 pm in the Spring) and to check in with both faculty/staff advisers and the Editor-in-Chief when a meeting is missed.Regular attendance is an important part of the ENGL 209 grade evaluation.
- To vote on/debate the following issues:
- Whether to Accept or Reject each of the works submitted for consideration during both the Fall & Spring submission periods
- Chancellor’s Prizes & other awards
- Selections for the cover slots & for color printing
- Formation of the Table of Contents (TOC), and any contests sponsored by the Review
- To assist the faculty/staff advisers and the Editor-in-Chief with the following issues & Work Groups as requested (see descriptions below):
- PR & advertising for the Review
- Fundraising
- Copy-editing
- Correspondence with authors/artists at all stages of the submission, production, and publication process
- Layout & design for printing
- Staffing and planning the annual “Celebration of the Arts/Reading & Reception” event, held each April