It’s that time of year again: Gandy Dancer welcomes a new cast of characters. This semester’s managing editors, Lea Karnath and Keara Hagerty, sat down (virtually) to interview one another before embarking on this journey together.
We’ll start with Keara:
What got you interested/involved in working with Gandy Dancer?
After taking my first workshops at Geneseo, I decided that I wanted to experience literature and creative writing from another view. After working as a fiction editor for Gandy Dancer during my sophomore year, I saw what it takes to produce a literary journal, and I became really interested in the world of publishing. Last year, I had the honor of having a fiction piece of mine published in the journal, and I can’t wait to take on more responsibility as a managing editor this year.
Keara & Lea!
What are you most looking forward to in the coming semester?
I’m looking forward to getting my hands on all of the new work! It’s always incredibly exciting to see the talent from all over the SUNY system. This is definitely the fun part of the job.
What do you predict will be the most challenging aspect of being a managing editor?
I’m predicting that putting together all of the final details of the journal will be the most difficult. The end of the semester is always busy and stressful, and I want to maintain Gandy Dancer’s high quality. Everything will need to be in place.
Who is your favorite author?
My favorite author is probably Jhumpa Lahiri or David Sedaris. Both writers craft realistic, vivid characters who jump of the page and grab my attention.
What’s your major/minor, what do you love most/hate most about it?
My major is English (creative writing) and my minor is anthropology. I love almost everything about creative writing except for the deadlines, which provoke so much anxiety, though without them I would probably never stop watching Netflix. Anthropology is a complex and interesting field but I find myself struggling with some of the more scientific aspects, as well as the need for memorization.
Who has been your biggest artistic/literary influence thus far?
That’s a tough question. I don’t think I can pick one author or artist that has been the biggest influence on my life so far. I think all of the literature I’ve read, good or bad, has worked together to make me the reader and writer that I am today.
What’s your favorite genre to read?
Contemporary fiction or creative nonfiction, for sure, without a doubt. It engages me in a way that I’ve found doesn’t happen with other types of literature. Also, because it’s what I write, it’s always interesting to see how other authors approach character and plot.
Favorite genre to write?
I used to always say fiction, but after writing some creative nonfiction in a workshop during my junior year, it’s now a toss up between the two.
If you could be friends with any literary character, who would it be and why?
As cheesy as it sounds, probably Holden Caulfield.
Lightning Round!
Favorite food?
Burritos.
Favorite song?
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel.
Favorite color?
Black.
Favorite season?
Fall!
Best place you’ve ever traveled?
Rome.
Cats or Dogs?
Cats!
Favorite smell?
Fresh laundry.
Now, on to Lea!
What got you interested/involved in working with Gandy Dancer?
I became interested in Gandy Dancer as soon as I learned about the editing and production course at Geneseo. I was a CNF reader last fall and knew I wanted to take the class again.
What are you most looking forward to in the coming semester?
In regards to Gandy Dancer, I’m most looking forward to seeing the diverse submissions we receive for the next issue. It’s always exciting to see the range of topics the pieces cover.
What do you predict will be the most challenging aspect of being a managing editor?
In my opinion, the most challenging aspect of the managing editor’s position is being mindful of personal preferences. It’ll be important to approach each piece with as much objectivity as possible. I think this is difficult sometimes because each reader may like or dislike certain styles of writing, but as a group we can’t let this get in the way of determining whether a specific piece will help make Gandy Dancer’s next issue the best it can be.
Who is your favorite author?
I have a few favorite authors, but if I had to choose just one, I’d pick Amy Tan. I read and instantly fell in love with her style in The Joy Luck Club.
What’s your major/minor, what do you love most/hate most about it?
I’m a Communication and English (Creative Writing) double major. As a Communication major, I love learning how the journalism field is evolving with the emergence of new technology and learning how to use some of these tools. My least favorite part is writing papers in APA format because it’s just painfully annoying. As an English (Creative Writing) major, my favorite part is seeing how much my writing improves by the end of each workshop. My least favorite part is the dreaded and very frustrating editing stage.
Who has been your biggest artistic/literary influence thus far?
Hmm, that’s a tough one. I’m not sure I’ve progressed far enough in my writing to have an answer for that.
What’s your favorite genre to read?
As someone who loves writing creative nonfiction, I’d have to say creative non-fiction is also my favorite genre to read.
Favorite genre to write?
Creative nonfiction.
If you could be friends with any literary character, who would it be and why?
I would have to go back to my childhood and say I’d be friends with the clueless Amelia Bedelia. I remember reading the entire series when I was little and repeatedly laughing out loud. It’d be extremely fun to watch her in all her ridiculousness (and maybe purposefully confuse her).
Lightning Round!
Favorite food?
Anything with Kalamata olives.
Favorite song?
Everywhere I Go by New Politics would be my current favorite song (possibly because I just saw them in concert).
Favorite color?
Mint green.
Favorite season?
Fall.
Best place you’ve ever traveled?
Galapagos Islands.
Cats or Dogs?
Dogs.
Favorite smell?
Coconut.