Quirk is a literary and visual arts journal sponsored by the English Department of the University of the Incarnate Word and published each spring semester by the students in ENGL 3365 - Editing and Publishing. Quirk is the English department's journal of literature and the arts at UIW, and it is produced once a year in the Spring semester by the ENGL 3365 class, "Editing and Publishing." The stude
nts in the class work together in groups as they evaluate and edit submissions, communicate professionally with authors, and create and implement the layout and design of the journal. It is a great class for anyone who wants to learn about the field of publishing as a possible career choice, to learn about editing different types of art, and to have a hands-on experience in professional development. Students in ENGL 3365 evaluate by genre and use specific criteria for each, such as vivid imagery, convincing characterization, authentic voice, and clear plot for fiction. The whole class evaluates and judges all submissions based on these criteria, but the editorial group responsible for that particular genre leads the discussion. Each submission needs a majority vote to be included, and all submissions are blind. The criteria are reasonable and objective. We are always pleasantly surprised by the quality of the submissions we receive each year, and the strongest works become a sort of benchmark in evaluating the other submissions.
