For 19th year, TU’s ‘Grub Street’ earns national accolades
Columbia Scholastic Press Association honors literary magazine, work by nine contributors
By Rebecca Kirkman on May 12, 2022
TU literary and arts magazine “Grub Street,” volume 70 has earned its 19th consecutive award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA).
The magazine’s 2022 recognition includes a Gold Crown Award for the publication overall and nine individual Gold Circle Awards for work within the publication. The volume received All-Columbian Honors, an indication of a near-perfect score, in two of three judging categories with a total score of 967 out of 1,000 points.
“Grub Street” is one of four nationwide Gold Crown Award winners in the print literary magazine category. It is one of 24 collegiate publications to earn gold recognition out of 817 from across the country. Gold Crown Award entries are judged on their excellence in design, photography, concept, coverage and writing.
An international student press association created in 1925 and operated by Columbia University, the CSPA’s annual competitions honor excellence in student publishing.
Volume 70 of “Grub Street” was released in spring 2021. Seven TU students and two outside contributors were recognized in categories ranging from poetry and essays to cover design and portfolio illustration.
on
Gracie Jordan ’23, an English and dance performance major, served as one of the volume’s editors-in-chief during the 2020–21 academic year.
“Getting to champion artists’ work and bring together an entire magazine showcasing that work—and all the staff’s hard work—was incredible,” Jordan says. “Receiving a Gold Crown from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association is such an honor.”
She is especially proud of the editorial team’s celebration of diverse voices.
“Our staff put every foot forward in making the magazine as diverse, inclusive and welcoming as we could, and I believe this effort sets us apart,” Jordan says. “The fact that we get to print a physical literary magazine in a world of magazines shifting completely online is a miracle. To hold an accumulation of art in your hands and read it like a paperback book is so special to me and our readers.”
Designing volume 70 provided graphic design major Joshua Smidt ’22 the opportunity to work on a large-scale, print design project.
“It was a lot of hard work,” says Smidt, who placed second in cover design with artist Deandra Lee. “I feel blessed to win the Gold Crown, especially for the hard work I put into it day-in and day-out.”
The introduction to the world of literary magazines also impacted students’ professional goals.
“I had never participated in something so passionate and creative in this manner before, and it has shifted where I want to go in the future,” Jordan says. “The skills I developed helped further my knowledge and led me to an internship at Mason Jar Press and recent publications with online journals.”
And for English and psychology major Esther Goldberg ’22, whose essay in volume 70 won second place and who is the chief nonfiction editor for volume 71, “Grub Street” is an opportunity to gain experience in her intended field.
“I loved learning and participating in all the inner mechanisms and moving parts that go into the making of a literary magazine,” says Goldberg, who plans to pursue a career in publishing after graduate school. “This role provided me with hands-on experience in my chosen field and fostered my passion for editorial work.”
Begun in 1952, “Grub Street” is run by undergraduate students enrolled in Editing the Literary Magazine, a course taught by English assistant professor Jeannie Vanasco. The magazine is funded by the Office of the Provost with additional support from the College of Liberal Arts and the Department of English.
Find the most recent issue of “Grub Street” at locations throughout the Liberal Arts building and online.
TU “Grub Street” Gold Circle Award Winners
- Briseyda Barrientos-Ariza, “Quichen Taybel Preeyers Kitchen Table Prayers,” certificate of merit, open (free form) poetry
- Grace Coughlan, “We are Only What the Yellow Street Lines Whisper Towson Full Moon Nights,” certificate of merit, open (free form) poetry
- Brianna Doyle, certificate of merit, portfolio illustration
- Alex Eikenberg, “In the Shower I Feel the Welling in My Eyes,” third place, open (free form) poetry
- Jola Naibi, “There are Things that Your Privilege will Not Let You See,” certificate of merit, essays
- Esther Rose, “Cream and Sugar,” second place, essays
- Josh Smidt (with contributing artist Deandra Lee), second place, cover design