The KLIO 2022 staff is ecstatic to welcome readers — new and old — to our sixth online publication season, which will showcase the creative masterpieces produced by talented Penn State students and alumni.
Amid the ongoing pandemic that has filled people with uncertainty and unease, many in our community seek distraction through the reading and creating of artistic works. We are excited to provide an outlet of expression, comfort, and diversion for those who need and seek it during this challenging time.
We have a large staff this semester, which means we are diligently working together — using our unique skills and experiences — to maintain the established reputation and mission of KLIO while also growing and improving in many avenues.
One way we plan to expand KLIO and meet our audience’s desires is by featuring a genre that is highly popular within the Penn State community. We are happy to announce that KLIO 2022 will feature, highlight and celebrate artistic works in the science fiction and fantasy genres with a special section of our website.
Klio featured Penn State’s long-lost science fiction author William Tenn and his book — Venus is a Man’s World — during the 2021 publication period. His book is one of many science fiction works that captivate the Penn State community.
We are excited to see what inventive, imaginative, and thoughtful works Penn Staters produce in the science fiction and fantasy genres. Bring us your best depiction of dragons and wizards, as well as parallel universes and extraterrestrial lifeforms. We look forward to seeing it all.
So, if you have an eye for depicting magical worlds or a passion for writing stories about robots and mayhem, this is the perfect initiative for you to showcase your skills. We are excited to see your submissions and consider them for publication.
Although we are dedicating a special focus to science fiction and fantasy genres this semester, that does not mean other creative genres will be disregarded or valued less. We are excited to see and experience everything the Penn State community produces in all artistic mediums and genres.
As we continue incorporating our ideas and ambitions into KLIO, we plan to still stick to the roots this creative arts journal was based on and be a positive companion and complement to our sister print magazine, Kalliope, which is also being published during the spring semester this year.
With dedicated public relations and social media teams working diligently at KLIO, we are excited to provide coverage and representation of the Penn State creative arts this semester. Be sure to follow our social media pages to stay up-to-date with KLIO as we publish rolling submissions and weekly blog posts by our talented staff and guest bloggers.
To further our online presence, Klio’s 2022 social media team created a TikTok account to capture new voices across campus and showcase Penn State’s artistic works to new audiences.
Our team has a strong interest to incorporate increased multimedia creations into KLIO — from video productions to musical recordings and podcasts to photography. We strive to give readers’ multifaceted viewing experiences on KLIO that are enjoyable to all senses.
With a special interest in videography, our staff is excited to feature not only short student films, but also artist statements by a variety of creative artists at Penn State on our YouTube channel. If you’d like to share an artist statement on our channel, we’d welcome it!
We are also working to capture film reviews and provide commentary on both student and mainstream productions. So, if you are a student film maker, reach out to us with your works and film recommendations.
KLIO’s website coordination team is also working to make the website more functional and intuitive for readers to improve the overall viewing experience. Be on the lookout for positive updates on our website’s layout and offerings.
Another staff goal is to increase the diversity and representation being portrayed in our submissions and capture more voices in our publications. Our staff members are energetic to highlight students’ perspectives in blog features, podcasts, and social media posts — so please reach out to us with any ideas or proposals. We are also excited to partner with new creative arts clubs, organizations, and individuals to reach new audiences and further build KLIO’s community.
We look forward to seeing your submissions roll in through our new submission system from the end of February until midnight on Sunday, April 3. We are excited to continue sharing Penn Staters’ creativity with the KLIO community, and we hope you enjoy the new improvements we are making as much as we do.
– Julia Mertes, Editor-in-Chief
Julia Mertes is a sophomore double majoring in English and journalism. At an early age, she developed a passion for reading and writing that has carried into her college career. She is honored to serve as KLIO’s Editor-in-Chief and Co-Blog Editor during the Spring 2022 semester. Beyond her involvement with KLIO, Julia writes in-depth features and investigative articles for Penn State’s student-run newspaper, The Daily Collegian. She’s also an avid Relay For Life volunteer and actively advocates for blood donations. Julia dreams of writing and publishing her own novel one day to help others navigate life and the world around them.