By Isabella Bratton
Houghton’s student-run literary magazine, The Lantern, is distributing their first issue of the 2023 Fall semester this week – Sept. 25 to Sept. 29.
The Lantern gives Houghton students the chance to submit their artwork, short stories, and poetry to be printed. Themes from last year included: Creation, Journey, Greif, Hope and Sonnets, and Community. This issue’s theme is “Challenges.”
The process to create each issue takes a lot of time and effort.
One of The Lantern’s editors, Sophomore Lee James (‘26) states, “A lot of it isn’t very difficult; it’s more in terms of time it takes.”
James explained the process, saying that first the team decides on a theme for the issue. They send out an email asking for submissions, and wait a few weeks. After sorting through the submissions, the editors format it all into one document. The issue goes through a couple rounds of editing, and is then sent to be printed.
The role of the editors can vary as well. Some of them help run their instagram account [@h.u.lantern] such as James, who also helps with the formatting, submitting works when there are low student submissions, and coming up with ideas for the themes of the issues.
The team is also working on updating the Lantern website and Facebook page.
James explained that they take into consideration what the student body would be interested in when choosing the theme, and it can also depend on the season. Sophomore Warren Torraca (‘26), the newest member of The Lantern editing team, explained that they try not to repeat themes.
Sophomore Emma Dainty (‘26), has different roles as Head Editor. Some of these include filling out charters to be recognized as a club, submitting a print order, and dealing with budgeting and finance. She explained that her transition into the position took a lot of organizing. Dainty is doing her best to make it as easy as possible for the future Head Editors to transition into their job.
Someone doesn’t need to be an English or writing major to submit work to The Lantern. Torraca, a math major, previously submitted works as a student and recommends it to others who enjoy expressing themselves through literary art.
“It’s for anyone who enjoys literature, and it’s interesting to see people express themselves,” Torraca says.
Dainty also encourages anyone who has interest to submit something, even if it’s just work from past classes.
The Lantern’s first Fall 2023 issue has been distributed and can be found in various places around campus.★