Celebrations all round for the latest launch of Tide

Creative Writing students launch annual literary journal

Third-year UOW Creative Writing students have launched the ninth edition of Tide, an annual anthology of more than 40 pieces of prose and poetry.

The theme of this year’s edition is ‘endings’, reflecting both the restructuring of the Creative Writing course within the faculty and the conspiracies surrounding the Mayan prophecy of 2012.

Tide is run as part of a third-year editing subject and provides students with an opportunity to gain valuable skills and first-hand industry experience while also promoting emerging writers.

Co-ordinator of the Tide project, Selena Hanet-Hutchins, believes that the process of developing the anthology is a valuable learning process for students.

“This year’s committed team learnt impressive skills in editorial, production and design management along with budgeting. They have also been a delight to work with -- a professional and upbeat ‘can do’ team,” Ms Hanet-Hutchins said.

She said that with such a large project the students gained a great deal about time management and working to a deadline.

“The Tide class is known among the students for being a trial -- having only 10 weeks from zero submissions to publication makes for a crazy, stressful schedule.”

Despite the stressful schedule, student Zachary Bryant, head of the team’s production division, believes that Tide is a valuable project for current students and aspiring writers.

“It’s an extremely rewarding experience that has given us a taste of the real-world publishing industry. It also gives us the opportunity to work with upcoming industry professionals and promote some fantastic emerging writers.”

Students from the Tide production team raised about $3,000 for publication, promotion and the launch event which was held in the foyer of the Faculty of Creative Arts.