|
Z Platt 2008
|
Dear readers,
It is a question we hear so often:
What is Z Platt?
If you are holding this book in your hands, you probably know the answer. It is the student literary journal of Plattsburgh State, the culmination of much work by poets, artists, and writers who want to share great literature of all types.
But what does Z Platt mean?
The journal is proudly named after Zephaniah Platt, the founder of Plattsburgh and a decorated war veteran. The enthusiasm and spirit he used to found Plattsburgh is kept alive in these pages.
As the layout editor last year, I had an idea of what was required to create a literary journal. The various twists and turns that have occurred this semester while I was editor have made me realize that it is not always easy to produce something that we hope will be admired for many years to come. It takes a lot of hard work and determination to ccomplish goals, and although I learned that while growing up, this semester with Z Platt has re-established that hard-learned lesson.
Like the town of Plattsburgh, Z Platt has been around for a while, printing the masterpieces of many students here at Plattsburgh State. What started as a booklet of pages stapled together has become a book, professionally bound in the trade paperback style.
Last year, we published a journal that was the first of its kind. This year’s staff wanted to continue with a bound copy and make it even better. We have reached out across the campus in an attempt to pull in even more of the submissions that made last year’s journal great, and as a result, this issue is fifty percent larger than the one previous.Receiving submissions was a pleasant shock, not just because of the quantity, but because of the quality of the art and writing.
Like last year, we have two featured contributors, an artist and a writer. We searched the submissions until we found people who we felt deserved to have the spotlight shown upon them. Sally Hale is an alumna, who graduated in December of 2007. Our other featured student is Theresa Fessette; a mixture of her work appears in this issue, and it is all wonderful.
For the first time, we have also included plays. One beautifully written piece from our featured author made us ask, “Why not?” Drama is a form of art that has been around for thousands of years, and although it is usually expressed better through reading it aloud, it is still enjoyable when read silently.
This semester has been a transition for me. I have needed to learn one very important lesson that has always been a very sore spot: delegating the work load. In the past, I have taken much of the work on my shoulders. With the great staff this semester, I learned to trust others to share the responsibility, which they did with dedication and enthusiasm.
It is my wish that Z Platt will remain strong, and I hope future editors will be lucky enough to receive as many brilliant works as we have this year.
Each of the pieces that appear in this volume is beautiful in its own unique way. I hope you enjoy reading the journal as much as we enjoyed compiling it.
Sincerely,
Sunshine D. Sheltray
Editor
Web site and all contents © Copyright Z Platt Literary Journal 2008, All rights reserved.
Free website templates
|
