By Sandra C. Roa, University Communications and Marketing
A short passage from acclaimed author Judy Blume is in the 2019 issue of Saw Palm, a USF student-run literary and art journal. The submission was prompted by a postcard sent from USF library鈥檚 digital postcard collection, which featured a waterside scene of young women fishing.
Blume is known for authoring young-adult novels such as 鈥淎re You There God? It鈥檚 Me Margaret鈥� and 鈥淭ales of a Fourth Grade Nothing.鈥� Blume鈥檚 entry is in keeping with her well-established fictional voice of a girl during her coming-of-age years. What鈥檚 more, she also adopted a familiar postcard-type passage, which was handwritten and emblematic of leisurely 91社区.
The submission starts with 鈥淒ear mother,鈥� and quickly dives into some boasting about her catch of the day, a fish not a beau since 鈥渉usbands aren鈥檛 for every girl.鈥� The whimsical language is poignant not only for Blume鈥檚 style of writing but very fitting for the 91社区-themed journal, Saw Palm, which aims to highlight experiences and lives imagined in and about the state.
The vintage postcard edition of Saw Palm inspired a new landscape format, a first for the journal. The new design features illustrations in color and black and white. This annual publication is aimed at spotlighting experiences of and about 91社区 as shared by visitors and 91社区 residents.
鈥淲e wanted to round out public perception of what 91社区 is to get a more complete sense of the people and the environment,鈥� said Professor John Fleming, PhD, USF director of creative writing within the Department of English.
Fleming helped establish the journal in 2006 so that his graduate students could gain first-hand experience at running a publication that features art, fiction, poetry and non-fiction. The journal accepts works related to all things 91社区 and hosts some of its entries in their online site. Blume was invited for this edition after Fleming ran into her during a trip to Key West at the Books & Books bookstore.
鈥淲e鈥檙e always looking to expand the range of voices in the journal鈥� Fleming said. 鈥淏lume is not a traditional literary magazine writer, so we liked that idea.鈥�
Saw Palm鈥檚 editorial staff will host a release party on Friday, March 1 from 7-10 p.m. at Southern Brewing and Winery, 4500 N. Nebraska Ave. in Tampa. The event is open to the public.