“A short story is something glimpsed from the corner of the eye,” said British short-story writer V.S. Pritchett. This quote seemed to be the theme of the Nov. 7 release of MATC’s literary and art magazine, the Phoenix. Hosted by faculty advisor Jason Kolodzyk in the 6th Street Cafe, the release featured readings from authors and artists whose work has been published in the Phoenix.
Various readings, some from faculty and others from students, emphasized the “short and sweet” tone of the event. One short story, dubbed “flash fiction” by English instructor and Phoenix contributor Jonathan Cardew, was only six words in length; “her one kiss tasted like betrayal.” The author of this piece stated, “Sometimes fewer words have more impact.” During a brief speech, Cardew echoed this sentiment by adding, “It’s a challenge to capture a moment in such a short space of time.”
A respectful round of applause followed each reading, showing that while the Phoenix may attract a modest following, it is nonetheless an enthusiastic one. Kolodzyk encourages students and staff to submit “written, artistic or photographic creations for publication consideration.” Contributors can choose to remain anonymous, or have their name associated with their work once published. The icing on the proverbial cake is that the MATC Foundation sponsors cash prizes for various categories of achievement for Phoenix contributors.
Visit the Phoenix website, matcphoenix.com, to learn more.