The Autumn Writer’s Forum was an “expression of student artwork”. ERIOLUWA AKIN-SALAMI / THE QUADRANGLE
Erioluwa Akin-Salami, Contributor
On Oct. 29, Manhattan Magazine and Logos Academic Journal held a first-time event called the Autumn Writer’s Forum, where former artists and authors celebrated their work, read poetry and shared their art. The event was filled with creativity, as each performance conveyed themes from comedic ideas to political viewpoints.
Nate Aaron, a senior and the current editor-in-chief of Logos Journal as well as the submissions editor of Manhattan Magazine, helped plan and organize this event. At the end of last semester, Aaron was elected as co-chair of the two clubs, showing his devotion to both the magazine and the journal. He spoke with The Quadrangle about his thought process behind hosting the forum and also both clubs’ future plans.
“Normally, the two clubs just do the booklets in the spring semester,” Aaron said. “However, when Emily and I became the co-chairs, we wanted to make the club a celebration of student artwork. There is a lack of outlets on campus for student artwork, especially creative writing wise, and we decided that we wanted to fill in that gap on campus.”
When asked, Aaron told The Quadrangle about his favorite performance of the night.
“Definitely Sienna [Gallus],” Aaron said. “I take a poetry workshop with her, and she’s one of the best poets I know. Personally, I have always loved her work.”
Gallus, a junior and current member of both Manhattan Magazine and Logos Academic Journal, spoke with The Quadrangle about both clubs’ desire to serve as a platform to encourage new writers, as well as her overall satisfaction with the turnout for event.`
“We allowed those who wanted to submit in the future, or simply just wanted to share their work to the public to participate,” Gallus wrote in an email to The Quadrangle. “The turnout was larger than we expected, and I was personally touched at how many people volunteered to perform.”
Gallus expressed gratitude toward the people who helped make this event possible.
“A massive thank you to Adam Koehler who helped make this event a reality, as well as the passionate team behind this event,” Gallus wrote.
Adam Koehler, Ph.D, professor of English at MU and the current faculty advisor for Manhattan Magazine, expressed his support of Aaron’s ideas regarding creating more outlets for creativity on campus.
“The editors wanted to create more space for students to celebrate their work and collaborate on works in progress,” Koehler said. “So, we contacted the writers from last year’s issues and our new staff members, reserved a room, bought some apple cider donuts and read our work to each other.”
Koehler went on to speak about future events the clubs plan to host.
“A few more readings, some fundraisers that will include students being able to make art, like painting and watercolors, and then publication prep,” Koehler said. “And in the spring, there is the publication of the magazines and our annual campus-wide release party.”
The next volume of both Manhattan Magazine and Logos Academic Journal will be released in May of 2026.