UT Martin's 'The Switch' Secures Third Place at Southern Literary Festival

The Spring 2023 issue of The Switch Literature and Fine Arts magazine, produced by undergraduate students at the University of Tennessee at Martin, recently won third place in the undergraduate literary magazine category at the Southern Literary Festival. The event took place from April 4-6 at the University of Mississippi. Dr. Maari Carter, the faculty adviser and an assistant professor of English at UT Martin, noted the university's history of participation and success at the festival, which had been disrupted in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Carter emphasized the significant student participation in producing the magazine, with around 50 students contributing approximately 95 submissions for the 2023 issue. She noted an increase in submissions for the upcoming 2024 issue, with over 50 students submitting 120 pieces. This increase is attributed to improved promotional efforts, including the addition of a social media editor and a targeted advertising campaign, which helped raise the magazine's profile and encouraged more student contributions.

The 2023 magazine's success was significantly aided by key staff members, including Leo Honbarger, the executive editor, and Tia Runions, the art editor. Their work in selecting content and defining the magazine's visual style was crucial for its recognition at the festival. Dr. Carter praised the quality of work and the dedication of the students involved.

Looking forward, the 2024 issue of The Switch is set to maintain this standard of excellence with Ryesa McGehee as the new executive editor. The magazine will continue to feature a diverse range of writing and artistic styles, providing a platform for students to express their creativity through fiction, poetry, dramatic writing, and more.

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