About

Off the Record (OTR) is a new creative magazine that will seek to publish creative pieces by students in print at the end of the semester. Published pieces will include works of creative writing such as poetry, micro-fiction, creative nonfiction, and fiction, personal essays such as non-fiction or memoir-styled essays; visual art such as photography, drawings, or graphic art; and other work such as recipes, playlists, advice, etc.

At the beginning of each semester, the OTR staff will meet to decide on the theme for the semester and end-of-semester final publication. This theme will provide clearer direction for readers when evaluating submissions and will curate creative cohesion in publications, though not every piece will have to fit the theme. Potential themes can include issues of exclusion, cross-cultural dialogue, contemplations on power dynamics, the natural world, etc.

When pieces get submitted, they will be read by readers. Readers will be divided into sections to take charge of pieces they feel comfortable with or have expertise in. For example, a reader who is familiar with poetry will be assigned primarily poetry submissions. Readers do not edit the pieces, but rather give general broad feedback and vote on if pieces should or should not be published. Please note that reader positions are open to all students, and readers can also be contributors!

After readers approve submissions, the layout team, which includes illustrators, will work together to create the magazine. During this time, our engagement team spreads the word about the upcoming publication to encourage readership from the larger community. 

A contributor can be any member of the Williams community looking to submit creative writing such as poetry, micro-fiction, creative nonfiction, and fiction, personal essays such as non-fiction or memoir styled essays; visual art such as photography, drawings, or graphic art; and other work such as recipes, playlists, advice, etc. Please note that anyone at all is welcome to be a contributor!

If you are interested in joining Off the Record, fill out this form. If you are interested in submitting, visit “Submission.”

Best,

Quinn Casey (tqc1), Editorial Director 

Maya Jacobs (mjj2), Editorial Director

To enjoy submissions before 2023, visit our old website.