IUPUC (Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus) students celebrate the release of their literary magazine, Talking Leaves. The magazine’s purpose is to empower student voices and encourage self-expression; as such, works receive only minimal copyediting to preserve the uniqueness of each contributor’s voice.
Printed copies of the Talking Leaves publication are available in the Division of Liberal Arts office. IUPUC students interested in contributing to the next volume should submit their work on the IUPUC website by December 1.
Dr. Lisa Siefker-Bailey, senior lecturer in English at IUPUC, and Talking Leaves faculty sponsor.
It is so important that IUPUC continues to invest in a student literary magazine. It shows, in a tangible way, how much our campus values student voices. It not only offers our students a chance to express themselves, but it gives authors an audience and showcases their talents.
Michael Donohue is an IUPUC student and the new editor for Talking Leaves:
This is my first year as the editor of Talking Leaves and every day is a unique learning experience. The support, dedication, and backing I receive from the IUPUC Liberal Arts Department and my fellow students is overwhelming, and I can't begin to thank them all for their time and generosity.
With continued support, moving forward as editor, I hope to produce a quality magazine like the past editors have done over the last 23 years. My goal is to have Talking Leaves recognized outside of the school. It's time to promote, expand, and show people outside of IUPUC the talent possessed by many of our students. With that being said, I better get to work!
Isabel D’Allura is a student IUPUC and shares:
I first learned about Talking Leaves during my Intro to Fiction Writing class last semester. My professor, Dr. Siefker-Bailey, expressed her excitement towards all of us submitting work when we were working on short stories. I was surprised to discover that works, whether poems, stories, or illustrations, were not just provided by English or Art students but by individuals from all areas of study. The idea of students in Mechanical Engineering or Biology having the courage to write their inner thoughts and submit them truly excites me.
Writing and seeing your work yourself is one matter. Submitting it and letting the entire campus read how you feel or see the world is a different topic entirely. As a marketing major with a creative writing minor, I find it difficult sometimes to let others see what goes on inside my head. However, reading the magazine empowers me to have the courage to share.
I hope Talking Leaves continues for a long time on campus as it is a creative outlet for students to enjoy and find inspiration. To find a poem or short story relatable, to have a positive connection with someone you may never meet is a rare occasion and one I hope everyone finds.
Dr. Kathrine V. Wills is the director of English, an associate professor, and poet. Wills had this to say about the publication:
Talking Leaves, IUPUC’s student literary magazine, has published the best IUPUC undergraduate creative writing for 18 years. Many students, parents, and community folks are intrigued by poems, short stories, plays, memoirs created by their classmates — oh, yes, and the magazine features original photos, drawings, and images of 3-D works. These student artists often have articles published, in the press, or in online-juried magazines. In 2017, one poet will be reading her work in Belfast, Ireland!
Even the title, Talking Leaves, evokes imaginative and historical thoughts. Lore tells us that when American settlers carried maps, letters, and other documents that caught the attention of Native Americans, the papers rustled like leaves: hence, talking leaves. Columbus and south-central Indiana has an established reputation as a manufacturing hub, architectural site, and natural play land. The region can recognize its growing community of writers and artists.