By Angeliki Thomas, Contributing Writer
Saint Leo University’s Sandhill Review literary magazine is undergoing a transformation as the new editor-in-chief, Dr. Anne Barngrover, is developing a new space for the magazine in the form of an online literary journal, creating an expanded range of contributors, and selecting a new theme for its upcoming issue.
The new editor-in-chief, Barngrover, is an associate professor of English and creative writing and program director of the Master of Arts in Creative Writing at Saint Leo. While honoring the work of the previous editor-in-chief of 14 years, associate professor of English and creative writing Gianna Russo, Barngrover is fully committed to building upon the literary magazine’s solid foundation.
“I want to continue to uphold the kind of pride and joy that she created with this journal and the community around the journal,” Barngrover said.
With this goal in mind, Barngrover has been focused on developing new strategies to preserve the heart of the magazine while enhancing its accessibility and prestige.
To expand the magazine’s usability and popularity in the literary community, the Sandhill Review will be launching an online literary journal at Sandhillreview.com. This online journal will feature easy access to previous publications to preserve the magazine’s creative history, and the platform will become the home of Sandhill’s new publications. The online platform will allow direct submissions through the site.
Barngrover will begin sourcing work from prominent Florida writers in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry while continuing to feature Saint Leo students and other members of the university and community.
“It will be a place where writers can easily access the publication and share their work through online and social media platforms,” Barngrover said.
Several existing traditions and opportunities will remain, including the Crack the Spine Party, which is an event held at Saint Leo University that celebrates the publication of the latest issue and all the writers that contributed to its creation.
Contributions from writers outside Saint Leo, and internships for undergraduate students and graduate students in the university’s Master’s in Creative Writing program will additionally remain a part of Sandhill Review’s opportunities.
Student and contributor Emma Garrett, who is an English major and a senior at Saint Leo, shared her optimism for the upcoming changes to the Sandhill Review and its potential impact for Saint Leo students.
“This low-risk resource available that is not gatekept is an opportunity for everyone; you don’t have to worry so much,” said Garrett. “You can get your experience with Sandhill Review and it can guide you and help you when you submit to other places.”
Russo is thankful that Barngrover will be continuing the magazine’s mission to be a resource of inclusivity for Saint Leo students and endorsed the magazine’s move to an online platform for the literary community.
“It’s a very diverse community of writers that have been published in the Sandhill Review, and students have the opportunity to be published next to very, very well-established writers,” said Russo.
Russo is an ardent supporter of Barngrover’s ambitions to publicize the magazine to writers outside of the university setting so that the Sandhill Review will have its very own space to grow and reach new audiences. Russo showed full support for Barngrover in her endeavors to continue elevating the magazine.
“It’s been a joy, and it’s been an honor, a total honor,” stated Russo.
Considering this period of restructuring for the Sandhill Review, Barngrover has chosen the theme of this upcoming issue to be creation. The theme of creation represents the evolution of the magazine into an online journal as well as a general statement towards the practice of creating art being intrinsic in human nature.
“It is also a theme that people can interpret widely; they can take it literally or figuratively, and creation can also come at a time of stagnation or difficulty too,” stated Barngrover.
As Barngrover announced this upcoming issue theme, hoping that the Saint Leo community may begin preparing to craft their pieces for submission, she also had some words of wisdom for those who are new to submitting work for publication.
“Submitting is not a guarantee of publication; as writers, for better or for worse, get comfortable with rejection,” Barngrover urged.
As a heavily experienced writer in submitting her creative writing pieces for submission to various publications, Barngrover has acquired a refreshing outlook on submission rejections.
“Sometimes those rejections can lead to a positive,” Barngrover suggests.
She advises students to submit their work for publication regardless of their fears of rejection.
This message mirrors Barngrover’s determination to create a positive impact on the magazine and the literary community as she takes on her new role as editor-in-chief. As Sandhill Review enters this new chapter, Barngrover hopes the move online will expand the magazine’s reach while creating new opportunities for students to share their work with a broader literary community.
