Since the beginning of time, art has been the stimulant to draw voices together, to hear those who are rarely listened to, and to garner a space for creativity, connection, and community. In 1992, Michael Knepher ’96, an editor for the student newspaper, The Clause, at the time, recognized the need for a creative outlet for students at Azusa Pacific University. With the guidance of the newspaper’s advisor, Joseph Bentz, PhD, alongside a staff of enthusiastic students, eager to develop a place for creativity to flourish, The West Wind was born.
Ever since the first edition of APU’s literary journal, which is sponsored by the English Department, a legacy of pursuing artistic expression has expanded. Bentz, who was the journal’s advisor for more than a decade, said, “I am thrilled that The West Wind is still going all these years later, and that Dr. Michael Dean Clark, who was one of the editors in the 90s, is now the advisor. Anna Knepher, ’25, Michael Knepher’s daughter, is currently on the staff, so the tradition has truly grown through generations.”
Clark is happy to serve as the literary journal’s advisor. “The West Wind began as a zine in the height of zine culture during the early 90s. It was truly a labor of love tucked into a small but dogged corner of campus culture. The staff and budget were tiny, readership was niche, and the editor-in-chief had to search aggressively for submissions,” he said. “In the intervening years, it has become a staple of creative expression at APU and operates like the journals I submit my own work to. The entire system is much more professional and streamlined. And yet, the heart of those early editions still beats at the center of it all.”
Today, APU students of any major are eligible to submit fiction and nonfiction stories, poetry, and 2D art to The West Wind every fall and spring during the two-week submission period. While the journal covers a central theme each year, students are encouraged to send original work that speaks to them. When asked what students should keep in mind when creating and submitting to the literary journal, Dr. Clark said, “The West Wind exists for students to find their voice; to create the poem or story or art piece they can't stop thinking about and share it with others who are looking for meaning and beauty. So be honest, look for fresh ways to express what’s motivating your ideas, and really craft your language. The pieces we publish balance those three elements.”
Former editor-in-chief, Courtney Heidorn, ’24, expressed how her position created a positive impact in her development as a leader. “Being the editor-in-chief for The West Wind for two years brought me immense personal and professional growth. I left my role feeling confident in my ability to successfully lead a creative team and produce an incredible body of work, all with the integral help of APU students,” she said.
The 2023-2024 edition of The West Wind is centered around renewal, regeneration, and transformation, as depicted by the cover’s image of bright purple daisies, and flower drawings throughout the journal’s pages. There are more than 40 pieces of students’ original work, thematically placed to offer the reader a journey through ideas central to growth. “I am a firm believer that creative writing and 2D art,and all art for that matter, are important communicators,” Heidorn said. “Without art, and the unabashed support of the students who create it, university campuses succumb to lukewarm attitudes. This creative communication is what keeps campuses like APU alive. And what a gift it was to be a part of that process.”
Students of all majors are also welcome to join the journal’s staff, which is an excellent way to strengthen leadership skills, build community, and learn about collaborating to produce a published body of work. The team is composed of head editors in charge of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and 2D art, who lead a small group of associate editors that thoughtfully choose which submissions to accept in the journal. Additional roles include: an engagement coordinator, who helps plan the fall and spring reading parties; a social media manager, who runs the social accounts; a head copyeditor, who leads a small group of associate editors to edit the accepted submissions; and a head designer, who collaborates with the editor-in-chief to bring the stylistic vision of the journal to life.
Follow @apulitmag on Instagram for the latest updates and information about where to send submissions, or email [email protected] with any questions.