By Brie Cruz

Essence is a student-run fine arts and literary magazine produced once a year by KU. It offers a creative outlet where students from all majors can submit their work and become involved. Students can submit three pieces of art or literature such as poems, prose, short stories and nonfiction. If submitting literature, a single piece can be up to 1,500 words and the other two pieces can be up to 750 words. The deadline for this year’s submissions is Nov. 21, 2014.

Aside from submitting, there are other opportunities to get involved with the magazine. Essence meets every Tuesday in MSU 195 at 11 a.m.

“Everyone is welcome to join,” said member Elizabeth Leavens.

Essence meetings are filled with active writers and contributing members. Essence President Sam Benning runs the meetings with the assistance of Co-Editor Camera Wertz, Secretary Vale Deeter and Treasurer Kim Winters. Advisors Professor Kate Clair and Professor Todd Dodson also join in.

Essence offers readings every month during the school year. The next open mic reading is scheduled for Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. in the President’s Room, MSU 250.

The spring 2014 edition of Essence is available on the professional writing table in Lytle Hall. Essence Magazine has been a KU tradition since its establishment in 1960. To submit, students can email kuessence@kutztown.edu.