Violet Margin

Violet Margin is our new literary journal. Drawing from our experience editing and publishing student work in the Alchemist Review, a 30-year literary tradition at the University of Illinois Springfield, we have revised the focus and broadened the reach of the journal. Violet Margin is published each April and celebrated annually at STARS. Undergraduate students from across the country and UIS alums are invited to share their creative writing projects.

Mission Statement

Violet Margin is published annually by the UIS English Department. It publishes creative writing including but not limited to fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction, art, and photography by new and experienced writers. Violet Margin is committed to providing an inclusive, safe, and diverse space for undergraduate students across the United States, as well as students and alumni of the University of Illinois at Springfield, to test their voices. The journal is committed to publishing diverse voices and aims to focus on those that have, throughout history, been marginalized and excluded from the literary canon. We especially encourage submissions from women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ writers, writers with disabilities, and writers of intersectional identities.

Work with Violet Margin

UIS undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to learn more about the editorial and publishing process by becoming a part of our team. Students can gain valuable experience for careers in writing, publishing, communication, and marketing.

cover art of purple flowers and waves for the Violet margin

Violet Margin and Alchemist Review Archives