BYU-Idaho students let it all out in Outlet
- posted: 08 May 2007
- scrollcampus@byui.edu
BYU-Idaho’s literary journal, Outlet, provides students of all majors a medium through which they can share their own writing and artwork.
There are countless opportunities for students to expand their talents and abilities at BYU-I through genuine, real-life experience. Outlet grants this opportunity for experience to the school’s aspiring writers and artists who are able to publish their work while attending BYU-I.
Outlet began nine years ago when students collaborated to create a publication as a venue for theirs and other students’ work. Now, with the help of the university and its faculty, it has grown into an annual BYU-I tradition and even part of the English 418 curriculum.
This senior-level creative writing class is responsible for reading submissions, determining which will get published, choosing the winning pieces, editing and so forth. There is also one art student chosen each year to do the layout and design of the publication.
“It is mostly in the hands of the students,” says former director Jim Richards, a professor in the English department.
The English 418 class that reads and decides which submissions will make it into the final publication accepts writing and art submissions year-round. Then the actual book is published and distributed in the winter. This is followed by the Outlet award ceremony, where the students who are ranked as the top three pieces for each genre are awarded cash prizes.
Even though it can be hard for college students to find the time and energy it takes, students still create their own work outside of what the classroom requires. Many students at BYU-I pour out their souls and imaginations into the creation of essays, stories, poems and art, eager for opportunities to share their pieces of inspiration with those around them.
Not only is this practice of artistic expression satisfying for students, but it is also necessary for their scholarly development.
“Will we as BYU-Idaho be engaged in scholarship? Absolutely yes. We must! I want to be very clear in emphasizing that both research and artistic creation are types of scholarly activity. At BYU-Idaho we emphasize both research of various types and artistic creation of various types,” said Elder David A. Bednar, former president of BYU-I.
“At first I though Outlet would be some sort of elite thing with only really good senior writers publishing in it,” said Lindsay Leonard, a junior from Pendleton, Ore. “To my surprise, I got second place for my poem, which included an award of $75. That’s pretty nice. It doesn’t matter if you’re a senior or freshman, English major or physics major; all that matters is the quality of your work.”
Still more important than cash awards is the experience students gain from sharing something that is meaningful to them with the rest of the student body.
“I write about stuff that moves me,” said Nicholas Wheeler, a senior from Shelley, Idaho. “It’s nice that others appreciate it, too.”
Richards, an English professor, believes it is positive for students to share their work with those around them.
“It really gives them a sense of audience that the work that they are doing, whether it is creative or it’s scholarly, has someone who is going to see it, or read it, or think about it. And that’s a really satisfying experience for a student,” Richards said.
Outlet accepts submissions from all students. “It shows the writing talents of everyone on campus, not just people in the English Department. In the back of the book it has little bios about every writer, and there is quite the diversity, from computer geeks to drama queens, who’ve shared a bit of their souls,” said Taci Smith, a student poet from Sandy, Utah.
Sharing their work helps the authors and artists to reach their potential.
“Art is not just for the artist. The creations of God beautify and give variety to the earth for the enjoyment of his children. Likewise, the creations of artists and scholars can beautify and give variety to our lives and enhance our enjoyment. It is chiefly sharing work with others that brings purpose to the labor of artists and scholars,” according to the Director’s Introduction of the 2007 edition, written by Richards.
Outlet is looking for more students to shine in next year’s edition. Submission forms and guidelines are available online at www.byui.edu/English/Links/Outlet/outlet, or students can visit the English Department on the first floor of the Rigby building for more information. English major or not, Outlet is looking to publish quality work from any students that are interested. 
