The Fall Line Review Seeks Editors and Staff for the 2024-2025 Year and the 2025 Edition

The Fall Line Review seeks Reading Staff and two Editorial Staff: a Content/Managing Editor, and a Layout/Assistant/Art Editor for the 2024-2025 academic year. The duties of each editor include: soliciting submissions; publicizing the submission deadline; working with reading staff to review, select, and edit submissions per university guidelines; announcing the arrival of the magazine; working on the look/layout of the magazine, working with the printers; organizing events to publicize the magazine and showcase work from the magazine; and helping to distribute the magazines across our campuses.

• The Content/Managing Editor should have strong English and grammar skills, strong creative writing ability in fiction. poetry, and/or creative nonfiction, a dedication to literature, a willingness to work with faculty advisors, a commitment to deadlines, leadership skills, and (preferably) an A in a college level creative writing class.  Candidates whose work has been in the magazine are given an advantage, college-level creative writing classes and prior experience working with a student publication at the high school or college level (including FLR itself) are a plus. 
  • This editor is responsible for
    • soliciting creative writing submissions
    • making the final decisions on what submissions go in the magazine
    • communicating with and leading the Reading Staff
    • maintaining an organizational system for submissions
    • working with the Layout Editor
    • helping select the cover design (in agreement with the Layout Editor)
    • reviewing and correcting proofs
    • distributing publicity for the magazine
    • sending out acceptance and rejection emails
    • taking a leading role in the production meeting, the release party, and any FLR sponsored events
    • advertising on social media
    • distributing the magazines
    • adhering to deadlines
  • ​Those applying for Content Editor should submit a cover letter including name, contact info, and student ID number indicating the editorship that the student is applying for (you may apply for both) and briefly outlining the student’s best qualifications. The student should also include a creative writing sample of three to fifteen pages. Any graphic artwork, photographs, or other art pieces are a plus. 
  • The Content Editor has the option of taking the English Student Editor Internship Course in the spring for three credit hours.  It is conducted online and through correspondence or informal meetings with the faculty advisor, and the bulk of the internship involves work that the editor will be doing for the magazine anyway, so it is a great way to round out a student's schedule if they need an extra upper level English class. 
  • If a student has applied for the Content Editor position but doesn’t get it, he or she may be asked to join the Reading Staff. 
• The Layout/Art Editor should have some background in graphic design and an interest in working with Adobe InDesign or llustrator (experience with these programs is preferred but not required as long as the student is willing to self-educate). 
  • This editor is responsible for
    • soliciting art and photographic submissions
    • helping to choose (along with the Content Editor) the visual contributions that go inside the magazine
    • laying out the magazine
    • helping create or helping select the cover design (in agreement with the Content Editor)
    • reviewing and correcting proofs
    • producing and publishing all publicity for the magazine
    • working with the printers on prices and deadlines
    • picking up proofs from the printers
    • picking up the published magazines from the printers or arranging delivery
    • maintaining The Fall Line Review web site
    • distributing the magazines
    • adhering to all deadlines. 
  • Those applying for the Layout Editor position should submit a cover letter including name, contact info, and student ID number; indicating the editorship that the student is applying for (you may apply for both); and briefly outlining the student’s best qualifications.  The applicant should also submit a portfolio of graphic work.
  • The Layout Editor has the option of taking the English Student Editor Internship Course in the spring for three credit hours.  It is conducted online and through correspondence or informal meetings with the faculty advisor, and the bulk of the internship involves work that the editor will be doing for the magazine anyway, so it is a great way to round out a student's schedule if they need an extra upper level English class. 
  • Applicants to this position with creative writing backgrounds who do not get the position may be asked to join the Reading Staff.
• Reading Staff.  To apply for the reading staff, send an email to the advisor at [email protected] expressing your interest and include name, contact info, and student ID number and any relevant (literature/creative writing) background information: major, clubs, interests, publications, etc., as well as at least three pages of a creative writing sample. Preference will be given to students who have received an A in a creative writing class, though this is not a requirement.  Work on the Reading Staff is a great first step to learning about the magazine and to obtaining an editor's position in subsequent years.  
• If necessary, additional staff such as a fiction or poetry editor may be chosen from the reading staff. 

Requirements for all staff include a 2.5 GPA and enrollment in at least 3 credit hours for fall and spring semesters.  Students who plan to graduate in the fall may not be considered.  These are all unpaid positions, but they give loads of experience, and they look great on a resume!

For more information, contact advisor Dr. Kelly Whiddon ([email protected]).  Please send applications to [email protected] by Friday, August 23, 2024