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Georgia Southwestern University Launches Student Literary Journal

Students and faculty at a university literary journal launch event

News Summary

Georgia Southwestern University celebrated the launch of its first-ever literary and visual arts journal, ‘Blue Fire.’ The event showcased student readings and embraced submissions from global contributors, promoting diverse voices in the literary scene. Co-editors Amari Rudison and Sam Gainous emphasize the journal’s commitment to creativity while reflecting on the labor-intensive process of bringing the publication to life. ‘Blue Fire’ signifies a revival of student publications at the university, offering an outlet for both student and non-student writers and artists.

Americus, Georgia – On April 24, 2025, Georgia Southwestern University celebrated the launch of its inaugural student literary and visual arts journal, titled “Blue Fire”. The launch event attracted a crowd of students and faculty, who enjoyed finger foods and received free copies of the journal. Several students showcased their literary talents by conducting readings of their works during the event, drawing attention to the variety of creative expressions featured in the journal.

The journal aims to provide a platform for student voices while also welcoming submissions from non-students. For the first time, “Blue Fire” accepted entries from outside the university, featuring works from contributors as far away as Ontario, Wales, and Japan. Co-editor Amari Rudison noted the challenge faced by the editorial team in selecting pieces due to the overwhelming number of submissions, emphasizing the quality of the creative expressions received.

Among the noteworthy contributions to the journal was a poignant piece titled “Daddy” by Katherine LeJeune, which stunned the editors when it was revealed that the author was only a fourth grader. Rudison expressed admiration for the unique perspective and creativity displayed by the young author, highlighting the importance of nurturing talent at all ages.

Another standout submission came from a freshman poet who goes by the pen name Emily Fea. Fea’s two poems, titled “Trapped Within” and “Right Person Wrong Time”, delve into the complexities of human emotions and relationships. The former addresses the necessity of embracing difficult feelings in order to recognize positive ones, while the latter contemplates the significance of transient relationships, suggesting that while individuals may come and go, their impact is still meaningful.

The journey to revitalize the literary journal was inspired by two students, Rudison and Sam Gainous. Rudison became interested in the project after taking a publishing class, while Gainous was motivated to get involved following an independent study. The pair is committed to reviving the spirit of student publications, a tradition that previously existed at Georgia Southwestern University with journals like “Sirocco” and “Clay and Pines”, the latter of which informed the design of “Blue Fire’s” logo. Gainous drew inspiration from the logo of the earlier journal to create a striking visual identity for their new publication.

As the editors reflect on their first issue, they express a sense of pride in being able to publish a diverse range of talented writers and artists. The decision to include contributions from non-students has allowed “Blue Fire” to broaden its horizons and engage a wider audience. The effort that went into the publication process was substantial, with Rudison acknowledging that it required a significant amount of work to bring the journal to print.

The launch of “Blue Fire” marks a significant milestone for Georgia Southwestern University, offering students and aspiring writers a new outlet to share their stories, art, and ideas. As the editorial team looks ahead to future issues, they remain committed to fostering creativity and providing a platform for voices both inside and outside the university.