Dear Readers,
Whether you are finally putting pen to paper, encouraging yourself to start a new hobby, or taking the first step in a journey to self-discovery, starting something new can be daunting. This leaves a choice: keep things the way they are, or embark on a new chapter.
For us students in ENGL 4135, we’ve had the chance to begin something new at Carleton; we were tasked with creating the first Issue of a new literary magazine that would launch in the spring. Each one of us on the team was challenged to make this a reality. Over the course of the winter semester, we made hard decisions, had disagreements, laughed, stressed, and worked hard to bring together this first Issue of Sumac.
We are proud to feature amazing work from many talented writers within the Carleton community with a wide range of diverse perspectives and topics. From relatable tales about living through the pandemic to dynamic portrayals of love, Issue 1 of Sumac brings with it a variety of works that represent the many stories that stem from our campus.
The sumac plant, the namesake of our project, represents the connection between these stories and their authors. Sumac is not only native to Canada, but can be found internationally, symbolizing the far reach of our community, which is made up of many different names, backgrounds, and walks of life. The symbol of the sumac encompasses the roots that bind us together.
We would like to thank our artists/editors, Autumn Swan and Amirah Alam, for their invaluable contributions to the illustrations of this Issue. They both worked tirelessly to create the visual art that complements the amazing pieces of literature from our contributors. Additionally, we would like to thank and credit our website designer Xinpeng Liu, without whom we would not have our magazine. We have been so fortunate to work with such amazing, artistic talent.
We would also like to thank our professor Chris Johnson, our TA Sarah Pelletier, and the Master Printer of the Carleton Book Arts Lab Larry Thompson for guiding us through this very rewarding journey. Their guidance has been imperative to the creation of Sumac, and we hope to leave behind a legacy they can be proud of.
Lastly, we thank everyone who submitted to this first Issue for their contributions. We could not have accomplished this project without our contributors, submitters, and supporters. Your talent, vulnerability, and passion for writing is what keeps little magazines like ours alive.
Sumac Issue 1, “Embark,” marks the beginning of a journey that will hopefully continue within Carleton for years to come. We are grateful for this opportunity to bring Sumac to life and we hope you enjoy the selected works.
The Issue 1 Editing Team ♥
The Sumac Issue 1 Editing Team consists of 11 students who participated in Carleton University’s ENGL 4135 course during the Winter 2023 term.
Like sumac, you’ll find us around campus!
