The Helix 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, student artwork, artwork and 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.
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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.
According to CCSU's September 29, 1999 edition of 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, its yearly budget had increased to $25,000. Presently the yearly budget still stands at $25,000, 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 editions the magazine teamed up with local high school students and featured their writing 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 the "Night at the Museum" project, where student work was featured in New Britain Museum of American Art then printed in the magazine.
The Helix is now attempting to become more known around the Central Connecticut State University campus. Some methods include holding big events such as Helix branded open mic nights (also known as the Helix Collider), giving away Helix items such as pens and lanyards, and printing more issues of the Helix Magazine so that more people can get a copy of the new issue. Dr. Heitner, Dr. Cappella, and Dr. Shankar are still involved in the Helix Magazine as faculty advisors. The submissions for the 2011 fall semester of the Helix are due on October 28, 2011.
"The Helix" accepts submissions from everywhere, though student-run, there are no requirements placed on those submitting. The Helix welcomes submissions of artwork and literature from across the globe. Though student run on the Central Connecticut State University campus, submissions are encouraged on both a national and global scope. The Helix is currently seeking submissions for the Fall 2011 edition. Please send submissions to helixmagazine@gmail.com.
Up to (5) submissions can be sent and up to (3) may be accepted. Guidelines for submissions are as follows:
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) * Maximum of 5000 words
All submissions need to have a title and each author needs to submit a brief bio that is no longer than 150 words with their submissions.
Submissions should be sent as attachments. Please include your first and last name within the email. Submissions are viewed and judged anonymously. Please direct any questions regarding submissions to helixmagazine@gmail.com. The Helix can be reached through multiple outlets including facebook, and the email of the helix is helixmagazine@gmail.com and if a person needed to send a submission, then they could send art or literature to the email.
Currently, the staff is being led by Collin Glasow (Editor in Chief).