Author Archives: Gandy Dancer Staff

by | May 17, 2021 · 8:58 am

To-Read…Later.

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

Posted by Jess Vance, Creative Nonfiction Reader for Issue 9.2

There is a pile of unread books on my bookshelf that have been quietly mocking me for years. These are books I’ve bought (and a few borrowed from friends whom I hope don’t expect them back) with excitement. Books by authors I like, subjects which interest me; books I shouldn’t have to fight myself to read. Yet, I never seemed to have the time to start them—and then in March of 2020 we all gained a lot more free time.

Continue reading →

Comments Off on To-Read…Later.

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | May 13, 2021 · 10:06 am

Victorian Literature: The Genius Beneath the Bias

Photo From Canterbury School of Humanities

Posted by Sarah Sharples, Poetry Reader for Issue 9.2

One of the saddest truths I have had to come to terms with over my literary life is the tainted light in which we tend to view Victorian literature.

Continue reading →

Comments Off on Victorian Literature: The Genius Beneath the Bias

Filed under Blog

Tagged as , , , ,

by | May 3, 2021 · 2:19 pm

Starting A New Writing Project

Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash

Posted by Maria Pawlak, Fiction Editor for issue 9.2

Picture this: the perfect writing playlist is pulled up on Spotify. Your favorite pen rests beside a pristine notebook (you needed another brand new one for this project, of course), and the coffee you reheated in the microwave steams gently in front of your fully charged laptop. It’s perfect. Now, you think, I’ll finally be able to start my next big writing project.

Continue reading →

Comments Off on Starting A New Writing Project

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

by | May 2, 2021 · 4:23 pm

Rejection Is Not Failure: The Necessity of Finding the Right Literary Magazine for You

Posted by Kathryn Capone, Fiction Reader for issue 9.2

The feeling of rejection is not a pleasant feeling. It leaves a person to wonder, “where did I go wrong?” When submitting a piece to a literary magazine, writers are hopeful that their work will be rewarded with publication; rejection only makes them feel like they didn’t do something right and that they have failed. However, it’s important for writers to learn that not every piece is right for just any literary magazine. Researching a literary magazine before submitting a piece is the best way for writers to determine if their work would fit in well with the magazine as a whole.

Continue reading →

Comments Off on Rejection Is Not Failure: The Necessity of Finding the Right Literary Magazine for You

Filed under Blog

Tagged as , ,

by | April 29, 2021 · 3:09 pm

The Geneseo Literary Magazine Project

Cover of The Experimentalist, 1955 by Alice Doorley

Posted by Lara Mangino, Creative Nonfiction Reader for Issue 9.2

I’ve been involved in literary magazines at SUNY Geneseo since my freshman year. In fact, I selected Geneseo because it housed two different literary magazines. However, despite being very involved in publications here, I knew so little about their history. Gandy Dancer may have its entire history documented here on our website, but what about MiNT Magazine? What about Opus or Our Time or The Experimentalist? Who is documenting their history? Continue reading →

Comments Off on The Geneseo Literary Magazine Project

Filed under Blog

Tagged as , , , , , ,

Image

The 1619 Project: Our Disavowed Ancestry

Credit: https://neaedjustice.org/the-1619-project-resource-page/

Posted by Marissa Filipello, CNF Editor for Issue 9.2

Do you like sugar in your coffee? In your tea? Have you ever thought about where that sugar originated? Today at Domino Sugar’s Chalmette Refinery, sugar is made at a rate of 120 bags a minute, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But originally this work was done by enslaved Africans working under horrendous conditions. Sugar cane was a heavy crop, that had to be pulled by hand, then immediately ground before spoiling in a day or two. It was sharp to touch and would leave small cuts in enslaved Africans hands when accompanied with perspiration. Sugar became known as ‘White gold,’ as it fueled the wealth of the European and British nations. Yet, it’s rarely acknowledged that the excessive sugar today came at the expense or exploitation of enslaved Africans. This is just one fact of many found in the 1619 Project.

Continue reading →

Comments Off on The 1619 Project: Our Disavowed Ancestry

by | April 28, 2021 · 2:39 pm
Image

Things to Consider When Writing Diverse Characters:

Source: https://www.gandydancer.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/writing-1209121_1280.jpg

 

Posted by Sara Devoe, GD Managing Editor for 9.1

When writing fiction, we travel into a world with no limits. The writer is both the navigator and the passenger on a journey to which they may or may not know the destination. This destination most always, though, starts with a character. Most writers of fiction, including professor Rachel Hall with whom I took a workshop focusing specifically on writing characters with, will tell you that plot comes from characterization. A character must want something in order for there to be a story. But this raises the question–how does one go about writing a character? Sometimes, we can mine our lives for characters, but other times, the story calls for a character who is unlike us or who has experienced different things than we have.  Continue reading →

Comments Off on Things to Consider When Writing Diverse Characters:

by | February 22, 2021 · 3:26 pm
by | February 2, 2021 · 10:59 am

The Dos and Don’ts of Writing a Cover Letter for Gandy Dancer (and other Literary Magazines)

Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/red-cakes-flowers-fondant-286197/

Posted by Rebecca Williamson, GD Managing Editor for 9.1

As a fellow writer, I understand that submitting your work can be scary. You’ve probably revised and edited many drafts. You’ve poured countless hours into making sure each word, each punctuation mark, is perfect. All writing, even if it’s fictional, is personal. Now that I’m on the other side of the submission button, I’m recognizing that there’s more to submitting your work than just pressing the button once you have your final draft. One thing that writers need to consider is their cover letter. Continue reading →

Comments Off on The Dos and Don’ts of Writing a Cover Letter for Gandy Dancer (and other Literary Magazines)

Filed under Blog

Tagged as , ,

by | January 19, 2021 · 10:39 pm

Knock Knock: Who’s there? Humor within Writing

Image source: https://thanetwriters.com/essay/technicalities/elements-of-shakespearean-comedy/

Posted by Marissa Filipello, GD CNF Editor for 9.1

Humor employs word play designed to elicit a certain response. With humor, writers have the power to guide a reader’s emotion throughout their story. Effective humor will humanize the writer and form a bond between the writer and the readers. The incorporation of humor within a piece can transform mundane writing into a meticulous, and well thought out piece. The best part is, humor can be used in any style of writing: fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, even cookbooks! Continue reading →

Comments Off on Knock Knock: Who’s there? Humor within Writing

Filed under Blog

Tagged as , , ,

by | December 28, 2020 · 4:30 pm

Winter Break Reading List

Taken by Sarah Channels

Posted by Sarah Channels, Poetry Reader and PR Manager for 9.1

My taste in literature often varies from season to season.  When it starts getting cold out, I look for reads that will keep me cozy as the days get shorter, but also that keep me on the edge of my seat through the darker months.  Here are a few of my favorites. Continue reading →

Comments Off on Winter Break Reading List

Filed under Blog

Tagged as , , ,