It’s safe to assume a lot of work has gone into putting together the recently released issue of Blake’s literary magazine, FLASH, whose Editors-in-Chief this year include Jacqui Crane ‘11 and Kate Abram ‘12 for literary arts, and Carolyn Winslow ‘11 and John Chipoco ‘12 for visual arts. Although editors of the magazine meet every other Friday, this was the first edition released during the 2010 – 2011 school year (although, notably, it won’t be the last – editor Masha Berman ’11 explains that, while a limited budget will restrict the number of printed issues to one, there will be a second, digital edition of the magazine coming out before the school year is through). The selection process for works of art – literary and visual – to be included in FLASH is thorough and democratic. Editors receive literary submissions via email and read them on their own time, so upon meeting with other editors, each student is prepared to discuss the merits of each individual piece, as well as elements they may dislike. Berman explains that every editor is given the opportunity to “promote” each piece, and that the same process is used with works of visual art. After a detailed discussion, editors vote on each piece, with the majority vote determining whether or not it will be published in the magazine.
Obviously, the editors of FLASH make a large time commitment in order to bring this valuable compilation of visual and literary art to the Blake community. Luckily, their efforts have been rewarded with a first issue that, according to Berman, who has two years’ experience as an editor of the magazine, is of consistent quality with last year’s single issue, and that contains a “good diversity” of work from underclassmen and upperclassmen alike. This recent issue was printed in color, making full use of FLASH’s budget. In color, “the [visual] pieces look the way that they’re supposed to,” notes Berman.
If you haven’t done so already, get your hands on a copy of this year’s only printed edition of FLASH, and keep an eye out for the digital edition. You won’t be disappointed with the quality and variety of material, created and edited by our very own Blake students.
