Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Literary Journal Editing (Face-to-Face)

ENGL 4970-01

Course: ENGL 4970-01
Credits: 2
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: ENGL
CRN: 12180

Course Description

This course will focus on reviewing incoming prose and poetry submissions for incorporation into the literary journal, the Kolob Canyon Review. In addition, students will review, revise, and edit creative writing drafts submitted through staff members or through creative writing classes where ongoing drafts and revision strategies are explored. Students are expected to commit to the course for both Fall and Spring semesters in order to fully contribute to the journal creation process. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): ENGL 3010 and ENGL 3030 and ENGL 3040 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C- Repeatable for Add’l Credit? Yes - Total Credits: 6 

This course provides a collaborative learning and working environment and real-world editing experience which culminates in the next edition of the literary journal Kolob Canyon Review in the spring. The release of this edition will be accompanied by a substantial release party and reading.  We focus on learning best practices for editing fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Additionally, we will focus on increasing and improving KCR’s web presence and its promotion of its contributors online. Those best practices will be employed throughout the process of creating KCR: from calls for submissions, soliciting work, reviewing submissions, managing correspondence, building a print literary journal, promoting our contributors, distributing the magazine, working with graphic artists, and managing and creating website content.The class will work closely with professor Brock Landrum and a group of his graphic design students in the art department to conceptualize, design, build the magazine, and improve its website. Brock’s team has also become increasing involved—and helpful—in executing the release party and reading.Students will be familiarized with the process of writing and publishing from the perspective of an editor, graphic artist, and as a creative writer/artist seeking to get their own work published. This will include tools and websites such as Submission Manager (what KCR uses), Submittable, Duotrope, Newpages, and others. The ecosystem of periodical publishing in the literary arts is unique. You’ll know it well after taking two semesters of this course. Students will work in a professional atmosphere along with the professor. It bears repeating: all of these colleagues are accountable to one another. Much of this work will be as a part of a committee that has a specific task or set of related tasks. Certain positions or committees may have different workflow peaks. Filling more than one duty may make most sense, especially since it is the intent of this class for students to take two successive semesters.   There is only so much the KCR team can control within the parameters of an academic calendar and competing due dates and deadlines. Providing reasonable deadlines and communication with our art department colleagues is another constraint of which we must be mindful. 

Required Texts

The Chicago Manual of Style, 16th or 17th edition. Available through SUU Library.I welcome you to get a hard copy, if you prefer. But to access online:In your My SUU, on the right-hand side, slect > Library > Search the Library for “Chicago Manual of Style” > choose second result, “The Chicago manual of style [electronic resource]” > Click “Access now” and choose “Online Access” from the resulting drop-down menu .Other custom and miscellaneous texts that fall well within the terms of fair use will be provided by the instructor, based largely on the progress and receptiveness of students throughout the course. These will largely be example submissions to KCR, and examples of excellent creative work.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Objectives (Outcomes)•        Publishing Workflow: We examine and enact the key stages of how manuscripts flow through a literary journal, from initial submission sorting to final proofing, including real examples from successful journals. •        Editorial Decision-Making: We explore and enact how editorial teams evaluate submissions, with case studies of acceptance and rejection rationales from leading literary magazines. •        Visual-Literary Integration: The discussion covers fundamental principles of design, typography, and visual hierarchy that editors use when collaborating with art directors. •        Publishing Industry Landscape: We map out the contemporary publishing ecosystem, from major houses to indie presses, identifying where literary journal experience creates career opportunities. •        Team Dynamics in Publishing: We analyze and enact successful editorial team structures and communication protocols used by literary journals. We will look to esteemed literary journals for examples and contrast. •        Style Guide Implementation: We break down the most crucial Chicago Manual of Style rules for literary journal editing, with common error correction exercises. •        Cultural Impact Analysis: We explore case studies of how journals have shaped literary culture and built devoted reading communities. •        Editorial Leadership: We examine different leadership approaches in literary publishing, using examples from both successful and struggling journals. •        Digital Publishing Tools: We review the essential software stack for modern literary publishing, from submission managers to layout programs. •        Portfolio Development: We outline the key components of an editor's professional portfolio, including sample reader reports and editorial letters. •        Professional Networking: We examine networking strategies specific to literary publishing, including conference participation and digital community building. •        Business Operations: We cover the financial and operational realities of running a literary journal, from budget planning to distribution networks. •        Editorial Communication: We analyze successful and unsuccessful examples of acceptance and rejection letters, focusing on maintaining professional relationships. •        Mission and Purpose: We examine how successful journals develop and maintain their cultural mission while building engaged communities.•        Develop an appreciation of the positive outcomes and mechanisms of involvement in the arts and humanities. Please review the table “Mechanisms of Arts Impact” in Canvas. •        Develop a functional familiarity with using the Chicago Manual of Style.

Course Requirements

Course Goals (Outputs/Requirements) The goals for this course are tied to the process of creating and promoting an issue of SUU's literary journal, Kolob Canyon Review (KCR). Knowing these outcomes and being able to articulate them in your own words adds value to your experience at SUU, and is essential in applying them to the “real world” processes of choosing and applying for future employment, education, and training. Students will also be expected to: •        Plan and execute a reading, exhibit, and release party for our contributors (the people we publish) upon the completion of printing KCR.•        Plan and execute several smaller recruitment events to increase awareness of KCR. These tasks also recruit students to our class, promote submissions of creative work, and (when possible) assist the art department in recruiting students to their portion of the project. •        Develop and manage roles and job duties in the creation of KCR, its collateral, its website, and the various processes of its inception.•        Articulate their own goals in writing and literary publishing, and explore how they might be achieved.•        Continue the advancement of Kolob Canyon Review's professionalism, workflow, capacity, and credentials/awards.•        Adapt in a professional and collaborative environment that puts in practice SUU’s mission and its related outcomes. The professional and collaborative environment of this class provides an interesting lens through which to enact SUU’s mission and its related outcomes. This project amplifies SUU’s desire to connect people, purpose, and place. You should know these goals and SUU’s strategic plan. Here they are. Knowing these outcomes and being able to articulate them in your own words adds value to your experience at SUU, and will come in handy in the “real world” as well as in the process of choosing and applying for future employment, education, and training.

Course Outline

This course provides a collaborative learning and working environment and real-world editing experience which culminates in the next edition of the literary journal Kolob Canyon Review in the spring. The release of this edition will be accompanied by a substantial release party and reading. Students will ideally take this course in both the fall and spring semesters. The work, workflow, and tasks between the semesters vary greatly, and round out the completion of the course goals and outcomes.


Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late Work/Missing DeadlinesIn the event of traditional homework, I typically don't accept late work/missed deadlines unless it has been negotiated beforehand with the instructor and your student colleagues.PresentationsStudents will occasionally be asked to update, or present, details about their own assignments and responsibilities. The instructor is open on how these presentations are conducted (standing up at the front of class, staying seated among the group, etc.)

Attendance Policy

Attendance For obvious reasons, attendance is critical. Our ability to create a great issue of KCR and achieve the learning outcomes is dependent on everyone being present, communicative, and on top of their own responsibilities.Attendance by the basic definition means showing up. But I consider attendance to also include: staying off of your phone and other technology unless prompted to review things relevant to the course, maintaining an alert expression, insightful participation, making verbal contributions to discussion about the KCR project and classwork, and contributing to a positive and collaborative environment. Your classmates are your colleagues, our graphic designers in the art department are your colleagues, and in a way, the KCR submitters are your colleagues. 

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

Technology Etiquette

Please put your cell phones on vibrate during the class time. I am aware that cell phones are necessary so that family members can contact you in case of an emergency. If such a situation arises, I request that you leave the classroom to take the call and make any arrangements. TEXT MESSAGING is unacceptable and if you do this during class time, I will ask you to leave. LAPTOP COMPUTERS: I prefer that you not use your laptops in class—we will set aside time to start hand-writing the next writing assignment near the end of class period. If this is a hardship for you, then let me know. If you do bring your laptop to class, be aware that I will be checking to see that it is being used for class instruction. If I find one infraction of this policy, then you forfeit bringing the laptop to class for the rest of the semester.

Detailed Basis for Course Grade

This course is a graded affair, and students will be appraised upon the following assignments and criteria, which are described in detail below. I treat this project like a job. You all are my colleagues. You are all each other's colleagues.Attendance and engaged participation and collaboration in class and with KCR responsibilities: 100% These responsibilities are broken down, very simply, as follows:·        Reading and scoring submissions as well as taking part in class meetings to discuss this prospective content: (500 points)·        Committee work related to digital content, marketing, distribution, and event planning and execution of launch reading/party: (500 points)·        Attending class and actively engaging during class discussions and project time. This includes maintaining a positive outlook that supports the project culture of KCR: (500 points). PLEASE NOTE: the feedback I receive among your student colleagues and leaders do help inform this. Be a good team member.·        Other quizzes and small uploaded assignments which will be designed on an active basis based on the competency and involvement of everyone in the room. (500 points)Engaged Participation in Class and with KCR Responsibilities:For obvious reasons, attendance is critical. Our ability to create a great issue of KCR and achieve the learning outcomes is dependent on everyone being present, communicative, and on top of their own responsibilities.Attendance by the basic definition means showing up. But I consider attendance to also include: staying off of your phone and other technology unless prompted to review things relevant to the course, maintaining an alert expression, insightful participation, making verbal contributions to discussion about the KCR project and classwork, and contributing to a positive and collaborative environment. Your classmates are your colleagues, our graphic designers in the art department are your colleagues, and in a way, the KCR submitters are your colleagues. You are expected to treat your colleagues with kindness and respect, regardless of any aspect of their personality or identity. You are expected to be honest and accountable about your responsibilities to the creation of KCR. If something is happening that keeps you from being present (either physically or mentally or both), please come talk to me and also explore an accommodation through SUU’s Disability Resource Center. If any situation is anticipated that might impact your presence, please talk to me in advance. As always, it’s better to ask for permission than forgiveness.A Bit More About Conduct and Professionalism We are all expected to treat each other with kindness and respect. The collegial manner in which class is conducted is part of the point. If this format doesn’t work for you, you might not be a fit for this project.   This expectation of kindness and respect extend to our submitters. This includes our colleagues in the art department. This includes our various external stakeholders and colleagues, such as university employees and all the people who will attend the release party/reading.Involvement in this project with the correct type of conduct earns Kolob Canyon Review good will among our colleagues. We need this good well. And we spend this good will in order to create unique experiences for the students involved. This includes you, the people we publish, and various other stakeholders. 

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.