Helix Magazine

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The Helix, or "Helix Literary Magazine," is a Central Connecticut State University student run biannual publication. Ihe magazines accepts submissions from all over the globe, as it went national in 2007 and global in 2009. The magazine features CCSU student writing, writing from the Hartford County community and an array of submissions from all over the world. The magazine contains multiple genres of literature and art submissions including: poetry, short fiction, playwright, creative non-fiction paintings, photography, watercolor, collage, stencil and computer generated artwork. It is a student run and funded publication.

History

Central's first literary magazine, A Link in the Normal Chain, was published on February 7, 1855 when Central was the New Britain Normal School. The Pioneer appeared in 1901 with a six-woman editorial staff and the note 'To be published every month by the senior class.' In 1933, the New Britain Normal School had become the Teachers College of Connecticut; by the late 1940s, The Pillar was being published every spring. From the mid-fifties to the early seventies (it was known as) Contemporary. In 1959, Teachers College developed into Central Connecticut State College and was granted the status of State University in 1983.

Though there are drawings in previous magazines, art became a more permanent part of this tradition in the form of block prints from Mr. Craft's art class in volume 3 of the 1957 Contemporary. Recently, as a result of cooperation between members of the Art and English departments, especially by Mark Strathy and Dr. Jack Heitner, the quality of the literary magazine at Central has been raised. Their classes and efforts have deepened and strengthened the level of communication between members of the University's community. The 1988 edition (was) titled Adagio.

In 1990, after a two-year hiatus, Dr. Heitner recruited an enthusiastic staff from his American Renaissance class and the literary magazine resurfaced. Today... our literary (magazine) emerges as The Helix, but the conversations within remain the same: Poetry, Art, and Fiction."

-from "Editor's Note" by Carlos L. Castillo Jr.

Growth

According to CCSU's September 29, 1999 edition of the The Recorder, "(In 1990) the Helix was awarded a yearly budget of $300." By 1999, it had "grown to a yearly budget of $8,000." By 2006, it's yearly budget had increased to $25,000 annually. Presently the budget stands at $30,000, funding the biannual printing, bringing poets and writers to campus and providing staff workshops to improve quality of the magazine and editing process.

In the Fall of 2007, The Helix began collaborating with the Connecticut Review, or CT Review. The 2007-2008 Primere issue of The Helix had guest editors/faculty advisors Dr. David Cappella, Ravi Shankar (poet), and Dr. Stuart Barnett. In Fall 2008 Dr. Cappella and Dr. Shankar signed on board for full time advising. In the 2008-2009 eiditions the magazine teamed up with local high school students and featured their wiritng in a special high school section. The magazine is making great efforts to reach out to the community and include work the magazine. Previously in 2007, the magazine had worked with students through "Night at the Museum" project, where student work was featured in New Britain Museum of American Art then printed in the magazine.

Today, many of the past magazines can be found on the website, www.helixmagazine.com

How to Submit

"The Helix" accepts submissions from everywhere, though student-run, there are no requirements placed on those submitting.

Art • Scans or Photography Only • 300 DPI Minimum • Size 10 Inches Minimum • Flat Art Only • TIFF or JPG

Literature • Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Plays, etc. • File Formats (.doc or .docx)

Submissions can be sent via email [1] or hard copies may be sent: Helix Magazine Central Connecticut State University 1615 Stanley Street New Britain CT, 06050

Staff

Faculty Advisor

• Dr. David Cappella
• Dr. Jack Heitner
• Mr. Ravi Shankar

Editor in Chief

• Michelle Hannon

Managing Editor

• Rachael Newman

Treasurer

• Nicole Lalime

Creative Director/ Graphic Design

• Stephen Meszaros

General Staff

• Naomi Desrochers
• Douglas Duhaime
• Jonathan Sala

Check out the Helix Magazine website at helixmagazine.com