News
Inkwell Journal
6.26.07
Inkwell Journal is a collection of poetry and prose that is published every year in the spring and fall by Manhattanville College. The journal is a product of the College’s Master of Arts in Writing (MAW) program, and features work by both emerging and established writers. MAW faculty and graduate students have been responsible for managing the journal since the first issue was published in December 1995. Inkwell accepts submissions in genres such as poetry, art, short stories, photographs, non-fiction, essays, and interviews, and also holds yearly competitions in poetry and fiction.
The journal first started as a vehicle for creative expression for Manhattanville students in the MAW program. The poetry competition was started in 1997, and as the journal gained in popularity, submissions from writers beyond Manhattanville College began to be accepted in 1999.
In 2004, Inkwell’s cover changed from black and white to color, and it also started to draw submissions from all over the United States and internationally. In 2005, the staff of Inkwell received over 4,700 submissions from the United States and 38 countries. All entries are received as blind submissions, so the editors do not know if the author is a Manhattanville student or not. The editors narrow down the submissions and choose which pieces go in the journal, and every year a different guest judge chooses the competition winners.
In 2006 a producer for the movie “Stranger than Fiction,” came across praise for Inkwell on the literary site Newpages.com. The College was contacted by the producer for permission to use an issue of the journal in the movie, and can be seen on top of a desk used by Dustin Hoffman’s character.
Inkwell hosts a gala reception every year during the alumni reunion. This year it will be Friday, September 28, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the East Library of Reid Castle. A silent auction will be held to raise money for the continued operation and improvement of Inkwell.