Worcester Journal: Giving Young Writers a Great Opportunity
Thursday, February 05, 2015
"I’ve taught writing for decades, and the one thing I disliked about the whole process was grading. The Journal allows me to work one-on-one with students with a shared aim—to produce an interesting, entertaining, moving, or instructive piece of writing that deserves to reach a general audience," said James Dempsey, editor of the Worcester Journal. "I find that young writers respond to this well, since they are being asked to produce an authentic piece of writing rather than a class assignment that may be seen only by one person, the instructor."
The Worcester Journal was funded by the Judy and Tony King Foundation. Its offices are located at Bancroft School in Worcester. The majority of submissions to the Journal have been from Central Massachusetts, but they have been receiving submissions from the Boston area and from out of state. The Journal's goal is to just find good writing, wherever it may come from.
"We work with many young writers who at first aren’t sure what they want to write for the Journal. We usually end up finding assignments for them that complement their own passions and interests," said Dempsey.
The Worcester Journal is staffed by several interns from area colleges including contributing editors Thomas Matthews and Jeremy Levine from Clark University, contributing editor Marissa Casey from Holy Cross, and copy editor John Meyer from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The interns job is to plan issues, solicit material, edit, illustrate, secure whatever permissions might be necessary for illustrations, lay out, publish, promote, and distribute the Journal.
"Teachers of writing tell me they are delighted to have such an outlet for their students, and young writers are eager to be featured. It’s also very satisfying to see that people are visiting the site increasingly and regularly. I think we offer a good read," said Dempsey. "I visit schools and colleges to speak to English classes and writing classes, as well as school newspapers and literary magazines. I also contact talented young people who may not, for one reason or another, be connected to an educational institution. Anyone with desire and talent is welcome."
Dempsey said, "I believe that everything we publish has value, and it’s difficult to compare so many different genres—memoir, journalism, reviews, narrative, fiction, verse. They won’t all be to every reader’s taste, but I think any reader will find things to enjoy in the Journal. I am certain, however, that many of the talented young people appearing in the Journal will go on to successful careers in writing."
For more information about the Worcester Journal, visit their website at theworcesterjournal.com. If interested in submitting work, contact James Dempsey at [email protected] or at 508-854-9204.
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