Hello? Hello? HELLOOO????

Writers where are you? We desperately need your submissions. Without you we cannot exist (and I know that's a cheesy cliche line, but unlike most of the times it's used, this is actually true.) We need you to submit any poems, short stories, or artwork that you have ASAP. Yes I know the deadline isn't until April 1st, but the sooner the better!! We're on track to start reviewing pieces by mid-March. Don't make me beg (though in a way I already am.)

Now as for the class, (English 058) it's going along quite smoothly. Having reviewed and voted on our first practice packet, we're on to the second. The purpose behind the practice packets is to get the class up to speed on what makes a good poem or short piece of fiction, outside of just the content of the piece. By doing this we're prepping ourselves to read and effectively critique YOUR pieces (that you're emailing right after you finish reading this...) so that we're not overlooking any small details that would make us decide that your piece is an excellent one and worthy to be published in the magazine.

Now if you're wondering how we determine whether a piece is good enough or not, well that's simple. Each person reads, critiques and anazlyzes each piece individually, without any comparison to any other piece or any kind of bias whatsoever. Then, each student is allowed one vote for each piece. The votes are "yes" or "no". If a piece gets a seventy-five percent (75%) majority, then it is a definite answer. That is, if 75% of the class vote "yes" on a piece, it will definitely be in the yes pile. If 75% of the class vote "no", then it will definitely not be in the magazine this year. Now if we do not get a 75% majority either "yes" or "no", then it is considered a maybe. Each maybe is then discussed in class by each side (yes's and no's.) Each side is hoping to convince the others to vote their way and therefore get a 75% majority on their side. A revote is then held and usually a majority is determined. If no majority is determined still, then the piece will go back into the maybe pile to be discussed at another time. The final part is if there are too many pieces in the "yes" pile, then we'll have to raise the majority votes required to be submitted. Next would be 80% and so on until we get down to the number of submissions to be published in the magazine.

Now the only reason I posted that last bit is so that anyone submitting pieces can see that there is a rather rigorous process to determine whether your piece will be included in the magazine or not. It's not just one or two people who decide whether your piece is good or not. It's also not a bunch of students judging on how the piece's content made them feel.

SVR 2011 Has Begun

Hello everyone and welcome to the Suisun Valley Review blogspot for 2011. My name is Nick and I will be your blog "Master" for this year. My goal for this blog is to get potential students thinking about the Magazine and English 058 as a whole, to get them (and hopefully YOU) iterested in both, and to chronicle our experiences in and out of class as they relate to the 2011 edition of the magazine.

Things have gotten off to a bit of a slow start this year, nevertheless we're pushing through the obstacles and keeping on course. At the moment we're soliciting submissions for both the Quinton Duval Award and the Suisun Valley Review. Below is a jpeg of the submission poster describing what to, how to, and who can submit for each. We've also begun discussions on the overall quality and craft of poetry and short fiction. I know personally, and i'm sure others feel the same way, the discussions have helped me understand what makes a quality piece, outside of the actual content of the piece.

If there are any questions or comments about this blog, the poster, submissions, the class, or the magazine feel free to email us at suisunvalleyreview@gmail.com OR you can email me personally at klnickjames@gmail.com. We're also on Facebook, you can simply search Suisun Valley Review and on Twitter we are www.twitter.com/SVR_Editors

As a final word, I would highly reccomend getting submissions of poetry, short fiction and art in as soon as possible. Don't hesitate and don't second guess, just put it in an envelope or an email with the required information and SEND IT IN!!!! This especially applys to art if you want to be considered for the cover of the Magazine. That is one of the first aesthetic decisions we need to make, so the sooner the better!!