Hello again, Inkwell readers! In our last two issues, we have covered earth and wind through "Drought" and "Flurry." With only two elements left for the semester, we are proud to present the third element, fire. Our writers worked diligently to bring you their interpretation of flames through "Forge." Forge: make or shape (a metal object) by heating it in
Hello Inkwell Readers! We are excited to announce our last theme for the semester. We have come to the last element: water. For the previous elements, we've focused on the power those elements hold. Instead of focusing on the tide, waves, or surges, we've chosen a calmer aspect of water: Ripple. Ripple: a small wave or series of waves on
Hello Inkwell Readers! As we approach the quickly ending semester, we are excited to give you a sneak peek to our next issue: Forge. Last issue, our writers showed us what the power of the wind meant to them. In this issue, flames dance and purify what's already here. We are thrilled to give a peek to next week's issue
Hello again, Inkwell readers! In our first issue, we looked at earth and the deserts we trek through in life. Now, we move to the skies on the wings of the wind. While we could have focused on the damaging power of the wind, this issue turns to the small things that blow in. We are proud to present our
In our second issue, our writers explored the first element, Wind, through "Flurry" which we publish this Friday, October 18. For our third element, we are focusing on fire. In our third theme for this semester, which will be published on November 8th, we take to the mines deep in the earth through "Forge." Forge: make or shape a metal
Hello Inkwell Readers! We made it through Hurricane Helene and are excited to give you a sneak peek to our next issue: Flurry. While wind uprooted trees and took down power lines, our writers will show us what "Flurry" and the power of the wind means to them. We are thrilled to give a peek to next week's issue through
Hello again, Inkwell readers! The element of Earth has so many lessons to teach and sceneries to be admired. Pause to take in God's creation that surrounds you every day. Our writers have worked tirelessly to communicate what this theme means to them. We are proud to present our first issue of the semester, “Drought.” Drought: a prolonged period of
Hello again, Inkwell readers! We are thrilled to present our first issue for the semester next Friday, September 27th. But first, we would like to give you a sneak peak: Lindsey Mohnacky's poem, "Drowned in Dust." A drought may bring to mind a place with no rainfall or no water for miles, but Lindsey uses images of a drought to
Inkwell Literary Magazine is pleased to present the winners of Bob Jones University's English Division creative writing contest!
Hello again, Inkwell readers! We are proud to present our final issue of the semester, “Legacy.” Legacy: something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past In our overarching theme of home, we’ve examined and expressed how our roots shape who we are, how embarking on our own as a nomad develops us into
Greetings, Inkwell readers! We’re so excited to present our final issue of the semester, “Legacy,” next Friday, April 19. But first, we’d like to give you a sneak peek: Lindsey Mohnacky’s poem, “Lessons Rejected.” Do you remember being a teenager and thinking you knew everything about life? When your elders tried to give you advice, did you
Happy Friday, Inkwell readers! We are so excited to present our third issue of the semester, “Nostalgia.” Nostalgia: a wistful or excessively sentimental yearning for return to or of some past period or irrecoverable condition Join us as we venture into the past to weave fairy tales and flower crowns, to stand in awe of superheroes and swashbucklers, to dream
Inkwell Literary Magazine is pleased to present a preview of our upcoming issue, “Nostalgia”: Vivian Waite’s poem “The Magic of Toys.” Do you know what happened to your old toys? Maybe you donated them or gave them to a younger sibling or cousin. Perhaps you still have some packed away somewhere. Or maybe you have no idea where they
Inkwell Literary Magazine is pleased to present a very special second issue of the semester, “Nomad.” Nomad: an individual who roams about In a literal interpretation of the definition, a nomad could be someone who wanders the globe and seems aimless, but perhaps there is a purpose behind the journey. In a more figurative sense, a nomad could be someone
Greetings, Inkwell readers! We are pleased to present a preview of our upcoming issue, “Nomad”: Olivia Best’s poem “Transient Thought.” While we may often think of people as being nomads, this poem focuses instead on nomadic thoughts—wandering, fragmented, no clear origin or destination. These “half-remembered dreams” are murky, mysterious; they captivate us for a moment and then fade
Happy Friday, Inkwell readers! We are pleased to present our first full issue of the semester, “Roots.” In this issue our writers delve into both factual and fictional origin stories. Protagonists protect their hometowns from enemy encounters and accept the inevitable invasion of time and change. For some, the past and all its familiar characters are a beacon of hope
Welcome back, Inkwell readers! We are excited to present our first preview poem of the semester, “When I First Loved You: A Sonnet for My Sister” by Eden N. Rowland. In her poem, Eden explores the relationship between two sisters by painting pictures of childhood innocence and frivolity. But there is an underlying sense of bittersweetness when contemplating these memories—
Season’s Greetings, Inkwell readers! We’ve made it to the end of the semester, and I personally could not be more proud of our staff for all their hard work in the last few months. From our newest members to those who have been with us for years, our entire staff demonstrates a level of creativity and dedication that
Hello again, Inkwell readers. Today we’d like to present a sneak peek at our last issue of the semester, “Vindication.” Trenton Goldsmith’s poem “Who can blame?” ruminates on the highs and lows that come with living. When things don’t go our way, our first instinct is usually to point fingers and place blame, to conjure up a
Happy (almost) Thanksgiving, Inkwell readers! We’re certainly thankful for our upcoming holiday break; schoolwork and extracurriculars seem to snowball this time of year and can leave us feeling overwhelmed and ready to give up. However, we have chosen to channel this energy into something positive—our third issue of the semester, “Defeat.” Defeat: frustration by nullification or by prevention
We at Inkwell are pleased to present a sneak peek at our upcoming issue, “Defeat.” Eden N. Rowland’s poem “The Pawn” presents a narrator in the midst of a dark chapter in the history of humanity. While this narrator remarks on the errors and mistakes of others, the focus is on his own actions. He resolutely accepts that he
Inkwell Literary Magazine is pleased to present “Contention,” our second issue of the semester. Contention: a point advanced or maintained in a debate or argument; rivalry, competition. For this issue in particular, we encourage our readers to contemplate how they would react to the contentious situations our writers have concocted. For example, what would you do if you were trapped
Happy Friday, readers! Inkwell is pleased to present a preview of our second issue of the semester, “Contention.” Vivian Waite’s poem “If God Saw the Sparrow Fall” focuses on the greater purpose of contention. When events occur in our lives that we cannot explain or understand, we often argue with God. There are many common points of contention: Why
Inkwell Literary Magazine is proud to present its first issue of the 2023–2024 school year, “Disturbance.” Disturbance: an interruption of a state of peace, quiet, or calm. Whether it’s a pirate’s checkered past, a little girl’s ghost stories, or our own very real fears for the future, this issue demonstrates not only our writers’ unique approaches
Inkwell would like to wish all our readers a happy (almost) fall and present a sneak peek at our upcoming first issue of the semester, “Disturbance.” The disturbance in Trenton Goldsmith’s poem “The Bothered Dancer” is not one singular event—it is instead a daily constant for the poem’s protagonist. However, this “bothered dancer” takes the tumult in
This issue is a special milestone for multiple Inkwell writers. For the seniors on our staff, “Repose” is the last issue of their college careers. We want to extend our congratulations to our graduating members: Clara Arai, Toria Leigh, Miranda Chapman, Renee Kalagayan, A. J. Klapperich, Stephen Ramsek, Emily Stevens, Anna Thompson, and Damaris Ziemski. Compiling this issue was a
After a gloomy Good Friday and Saturday, Easter Sunday dawned sunny and bright in Greenville, South Carolina. The weather was fitting for any day of rest, but it was especially fitting for the day when we remember Christ’s sacrifice and that, despite the troubles this world brings, we can truly have peace knowing that one day we will be
First Corinthians 13:12 says, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” Paul uses the metaphor of a mirror to explain our partial knowledge—our imperfect, refracted image—of God. While our current view of God falls
In Greenville, South Carolina, spring is beginning to color the trees and bushes again after a chilly week, and students at Bob Jones University are gearing up for a week of rest. We at Inkwell Literary Magazine are pleased to ring in Spring Break by presenting a preview of our third issue this semester: “Clarity”! “The Mirror of Dolion,” a
Sorrow is a prevalent part of every human being’s life. In Scripture, Psalm 13 is one of many examples of sorrowful appeal: “How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily?” (vv. 1–2a). But
Inkwell Literary Magazine is pleased to present a preview of our second issue of the semester: “Sorrow”! In this creative nonfiction piece, “A Broken Leg and a Broken Heart,” staff writer Toria Leigh compares two types of pain—physical and emotional—as she tells the stories of two people on a journey toward healing. We hope you can relate with
In Psalm 103, David paints one of the most poignant images of the transience of humanity: “As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place is remembered no more” (vv. 15–16). But David reminds us that “the mercy
Three days ago, students at Bob Jones University completed their first month of classes. In celebration of that milestone, the staff at Inkwell Literary Magazine is pleased to present a preview of our first issue of 2023: “Fragility”! This lyrical poem by staff writer Vivian Waite examines a broken friendship through the lens of two fragile elements of nature, frost
Inkwell Literary Magazine wishes its readers a very happy new year! Students at Bob Jones University have returned for the Spring semester of the 2022–23 year, which means Inkwell is also back. We’re excited to announce our first theme of the year: “Fragility”! Fragility: the quality of being easily broken or damaged, delicate or vulnerable. The beginning of
Inkwell Literary Magazine presents the final issue of 2022: Survival! As the semester draws to a close, the Inkwell staff applauds the endurance of the student body during a time when giving up is the easiest solution. We congratulate our writers, designers, editors, and contributors for their efforts this year, and we also want to extend special thanks to our
In Greenville, South Carolina, the pre-winter chill is finally starting to settle in: the late autumn air (and student motivation) is drying up. Exam week—and thus, the succor of Christmas break—is within sight. The Inkwell staff has lauded our “Ability” this semester, explored “Resistance” against our ambitions, and celebrated each “Breakthrough” that we encounter along the way. Now
Inkwell Literary Magazine is pleased to release Breakthrough! As the semester approaches the season of capstones, papers, and final projects, the Inkwell staff celebrates the little victories, whether making new discoveries, conquering difficult knowledge, or making a significant stride forward in school, work, or personal growth. Breakthrough: a sudden, dramatic, and important discovery or development. We are excited to share
In the middle of a semester, the “light at the end of the tunnel” can feel more like a mirage than a tangible destination. But Galatians 6:9 exhorts us not to “grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (NKJV). Our last Inkwell issue explored the weathering of resistance
Inkwell Literary Magazine is pleased to release Resistance! Our writers and editors have certainly faced resistance in the publication process, but all have deftly juggled their coursework and their creative capacities this month. We hope this issue serves as an homage to their efforts. Our ultimate desire is that Resistance may point to the Sustainer who sees us through every
October has ushered in cooler weather, but for many students the increased crispness has arrived with increased academic rigor. Midterms loom on the horizon, and projects and papers abound. Inkwell explored the capacity to learn, develop, and grow with our first issue, Ability, and for our second issue, we are recognizing the struggle necessary to push through this jam-packed season.
As students at Bob Jones University approach midterms, academic pressures are quickly increasing. The Inkwell staff understands the responsibilities facing the student body, and we want to recognize these struggles with our second issue of the semester: Resistance! Resistance: the refusal to accept or comply with something; the attempt to prevent something by action or argument. We look forward to
Greetings! Inkwell Literary Magazine is excited to present the first issue of the 2022-23 school year! Whether you are a returning reader or are just discovering Inkwell for the first time, we invite you to share in our work as we kick off our fourth year of publication! 1 Peter 1:5 reminds us that believers are “kept by the
The crisp air of autumn is slowly sweeping through campus, and this week students at Bob Jones University have finished their first month of classes. It seems fitting that we celebrate this milestone by presenting an exclusive look at our first issue of the school year: “Ability”! This poem by one of our guest writers, Valy, explores the concept of
Classes have returned, and so has Inkwell Literary Magazine! As the semester opens, our staff is certainly experiencing the excitements and anxieties of a new school year. We hope that all of our readers are able to relate to our first theme of the semester: ability! Ability: possession of the means or skill to do something; talent, skill, or proficiency
Today is a special day for our Inkwell staff and all the Bob Jones University community! Today is graduation day for the class of 2022. We want to wish hearty congratulations to our graduating seniors: Emily McCullough, Catherine Reynolds, Kenzie McGregor, Isabella Skellenger, Macy McArthur, Melinda Dersch, Autumn Buchanan, Jessi Skrade, Joanna Scoggins, and Zane Trively. Many of our graduating
As the semester draws to a close, the Inkwell Literary Magazine staff is feeling the pressure of the last few weeks of classes. We hope that our readers are able to draw inspiration from our next and final theme of the semester: empowerment! Empowerment: the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's
After withdrawing from the chaos of new beginnings, we’ve come back to find a sense of balance . . . or lack thereof! Our writers have enjoyed exploring this theme for our April issue as our semester here at Bob Jones University is coming to an end. We are proud to present their work on this issue, Balance. Balance: a condition in
Today may be April Fools' Day, but Inkwell Literary Magazine is truly presenting a preview of our next issue, Balance! We're so excited for this new issue. Our writers have been working hard on Balance, and the editors at Inkwell are so proud to see the growth of our staff in their respective talents. So, it seems only fitting that
Here at BJU, we’re only one week away from spring break. As we’re all looking forward to taking a break from the life of a college student, Inkwell Literary Magazine is proud to present our second issue of the semester, Withdrawal. Withdrawal: the act of taking back or away something that has been granted or possessed. In the
As the cold of winter is beginning to withdraw, we are enjoying the sunshine, but we still miss the poetic charm of winter. So, this latest poem by our poetry editor, Renee Kalagayan, is the perfect preview of our next issue, Withdrawal. The Place I Want to GoThe place I want to go to is blustery and wild. It is
King Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 3, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” As our semester is beginning to ramp up and our schedules are getting crazies, we here at Inkwell Literary Magazine are embracing this current time of hecticness in our first issue of the semester, Chaos. Chaos: complete confusion
The staff at Inkwell Literary Magazine would like to wish you a warm welcome back! We are so glad to be diving back into the depths of the inkwell with our readers and supporters. With the release of our first issue of the Spring 2022 semester, Chaos, only a week a way, we're proud to present this exclusive first look
Our schedules and finals may be frightful, but this issue of Inkwell Literary Magazine is surely delightful. As our staff is finishing the fall semester here at Bob Jones University, we are looking forward to the holidays at home; what could be a more fitting theme for our fourth issue than Hearth? Hearth: the floor of a fireplace, often used
Helen Keller said, “The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.” Our writers on the Inkwell Literary Magazine staff have explored the mighty shoves of the well-known heroes, but also the honest work of those heroes who go unsung in this,
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a sneak peek at Issue 3 of Inkwell Literary Magazine! Our writers have had a wonderful time preparing works for Heroism. From tales of powerful metahumans to rewritten stories of old warriors and monsters, this issue is definitely going to be one to remember. We are pleased to present a
We have been blown away by the reception of our last issue, "Haunt!" But the inkwell still holds a depth of words for us to dip into this semester. For our third issue, which will be released on November 5th, we're exploring one of the most fundamental concepts in literature: heroism. Heroism: great bravery; putting others first, even at the
By the pricking of our thumbs, something spooky this way comes! We at Inkwell Literary Magazine have loved exploring our latest theme for this issue. We have several staff writers who are making their debut in this issue, and we cannot wait for you to read their work in our second issue of the year, “Haunt.” Haunt: to be persistently
As the rain is blowing in fall here at Bob Jones University, we’re looking forward to a weekend spent curled up inside with a favorite hot beverage and this new spooky story! We’re proud to present “To Be a Ghost” by one of our new writers, Alaura Fleischman. Alaura is a sophomore international studies major, and this is
Ghost, goblins, and gargoyles, oh my! We're ringing in autumn with our spookiest theme yet! We're proud to announce the theme of our second issue, "Haunt." Haunt: to be persistently and often disturbingly present in mind, place, or action. Whether talking about a favorite childhood haunt, exploring regret, or just enjoying a good ghost story, we hope you'll enjoy digging
Greetings! We at Inkwell Literary Magazine are delighted to present our first issue of the 2021-22 academic school year. Whether you are a regular reader or are just discovering Inkwell for the first time, we can’t wait to share our work with you. We’ve seen God do amazing things through our organization. As we enter our third year
We here at Inkwell Literary Magazine are truly feeling this theme as we come to the end of our second volume and say goodbye to several staffers who are graduating and continuing their journey elsewhere. We have seen God work so amazingly this year through Inkwell, and while we are proud to have reached our final issue of this volume,
Greetings from the Inkwell Literary Magazine staff to our dedicated readers. We at Bob Jones University are coming down the home stretch of our spring semester. We have been so blessed to finish this school year in-person after the craziness of our first semester as a magazine. God has been truly good to us as we have produced volume II,
We at Inkwell Literary Magazine are proud to present our seventh issue of this year, “Escapism.” Escapism: habitual diversion of the mind to purely imaginative activity or entertainment as an escape from reality or routine. From dreams of crocodiles to finding a hiding place in a cruise ship, we hope this issue shows not only the beauty and joy escaping
As our semester is reaching its crux, Inkwell Literary Magazine is proud to present a sneak peek at our April issue, "Escapism." Escapism: habitual diversion of the mind to purely imaginative activity or entertainment as an escape from reality or routine. We want to look at the dangers and the benefits of of escaping your circumstances. We're proud to present
Inkwell Literary Magazine is proud to present our sixth issue of the 2020-2021 school year, "Assumptions." This issue comes after the one year anniversary of our very first issue, "Reversal," which was released February 21, 2020. It's been quite a year for our writers and for our school. Little did we know that after releasing "Reversal," the entire world would
Inkwell Literary Magazine is so excited to present this next issue, as it comes on the heels of our one year anniversary since our first issue, "Reversal." Our staff has come such a long way in so short of a time, and we have seen God work in amazing ways through our team, our writing, and the community to whom
Inkwell Literary Magazine is proud to present our first issue of 2021, “Initiation.” Initiation: "The action of beginning; moving from innocence to experience or maturity; recognizing a truth." Our writers have thought long and hard about what it means to begin a new phase in your life. We hope you’re inspired by their works to take the first step,
Our writers are so excited to present our first 2021 issue "Initiation" next Friday, February 19th! Be sure to be on the lookout for the issue release on our social media or sign up for our newsletter to have it delivered directly to you. But first, to give you a sneak peek at our upcoming issue, we're excited to present
Welcome back, everyone! Inkwell Literary Magazine is back and better than ever with our first issue of the 2021 year! We are so excited for our third semester of publication. Our team has lots of new things planned that we can't wait to share with our community of readers. We are proud to present the theme for our first issue
As we come to the end of our semester here at Bob Jones University, Inkwell Literary Magazine is proud to present our last issue of the year, “Fulfillment.” Fulfillment: the achievement of something desired, promised, or predicted. In many ways, this year has been unfulfilling for many people around the world. So, that is why we wanted to take a
As our semester is drawing to a close, Inkwell Literary Magazine is looking back on the most unique college semester in human history - in fact, one of the most unique years in human history. We have been left with hopes and dreams unfulfilled, disappointments and heartbreak, and even the loss of loved ones. But we don't want to leave
Inkwell Literary Magazine proudly presents our third issue of volume 2, “Companionship.” Companionship: "The fellowship that exists among intimate friends or associates." In the depths of the inkwell, we’ve found the strength of companionship in the strangest of places. From the bond between a man and his dog to age-old connections between polar opposites, our writers have delved into
Inkwell Literary Magazine is proud to present a first look at our third issue of the semester, "Companionship." Companionship: "The fellowship that exists among intimate friends or associates." For our sneak peak at our third issue, we're proud to present a beautiful new story by our long time staff writer, Kathleen Coyle. "Puppy Love" explores one of the deepest bonds
The staff at Inkwell Literary Magazine is proud to release our second issue of the semester, “Willpower.” Willpower: “Control exerted to do something or restrain impulses; strength of character and firmness of purpose.” We've started our quest, and it's going to take a lot of willpower to see it through to the end. From murder mysteries to our first serial
As our nation reflects on the tragedy of 9/11, we at Inkwell Literary Magazine would like to share our grief and condolences with the families of those who lost their lives on this day, 19 years ago. We also would like to thank all military and first responders, both past and present. We know that the process of grief
It has been a crazy but fantastic start to our semester, and our writers are already working on our first issue. We are now also officially open for submissions from all BJU students, faculty, staff, and alumni! In honor of the beginning of our school year and our ongoing prayers to finish the semester in person, our first theme is
After the strangest summer any of us have ever experienced, the Inkwell Literary Magazine staff is so excited to begin publishing our second volume of never before seen, original creative writing. We are thrilled to be back for in-person classes at our beloved Bob Jones University, and we can’t wait to get started sharing our work with the BJU
In this midst of the stress, confusion, and fear of the COVID-19 pandemic, Inkwell Literary Magazine has loved exploring “Refuge” as the theme of our fourth issue. Our writers have probed the depths of the inkwell to find the light of refuge in glowing from a lighthouse, streaming into castle dungeons, and above all, shining from the glory of God.
As we’re exploring “Refuge” in our May issue, we want first and foremost to point our readers to the only true Refuge, our God. That’s why we’re so excited to share Anna Johnson’s poem “Anchor Me” with you as a sneak peek into our May issue.
We’ve gone through the reversal of fortunes, and we responded with optimism. We learned how to rise up, to fight back against despair and desolation. Now we’re just starting to glimpse the result of our loss, our hopes, and our struggles: we’re finding a “Refuge.” Refuge: a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or
As the world is changing rapidly in response to COVID-19, Inkwell Literary Magazine has been inspired by the people around the world who are pulling together to fight this pandemic. Whether they are healthcare workers on the front lines, factory workers making masks and ventilators, or everyday citizens doing their part by staying home, we thank those who are helping
Despite social distancing, the Inkwell team is excited to continue our work, even spread out across the globe. Our third issue, “Uprising,” will be released next Friday! Uprising: an insurrection or revolt; an act of rising up; an ascent or acclivity. To find the true glory in uprising is the act of staying true to your convictions, whether you win
When our editors chose the themes for our first semester of publication, we had no idea what our world would look like today. As Coronavirus has touched so many places in the world, it’s also affected our home - Bob Jones University. As many students are heading home or facing uncertain times, we are marveling at the provision of
There once was a journal named Inkwell Which had an announcement to tell A contest for all Sure to be a ball Of limericks sure to be swell! A light humorous or nonsensical verse of five usually anapestic lines with the rhyme scheme aabba, in which the first, second, and fifth lines are in trimeter, and the third and fourth
We are less than two weeks away from the release of our second issue, "Optimism," on March 13th! To give you a little taste of what is to come, enjoy this sneak peak at our poetry section: "Girl in Blue," by staff writer Sarah Kanoun. Girl in BlueGirl in blue,There’s a pressure in you—Let it out.All
The creative mind rarely rests, and our writers are already hard at work on our next issue! We are pleased to announce that our next theme is optimism: an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome. If you’d like to contribute, send us your best writing on optimism
Inkwell Literary Magazine is proud to present our first issue, “Reversal.” Enjoy our writers’ interpretation of fortune changes, truth reveals, and more! Whether it be poetry or prose, fiction or nonfiction, every work is from the heart and aims to show you the rose rising from the ashes, the beauty coming alongside the pain. View the issue on our website
We are happy to release a glimpse of what is to come, and to introduce one of our poets, Olivia Thomas. "If Only I Could Walk at Night" is every artistic night owl's daydream and nightmare--going from the lull of night into the rush of day. Check out the poem here, and be sure to subscribe to our mailing list
Our new staff pictures are up! Check out our staff photos done by our photographer, Melinda Dersch. You can also get to know our staff by reading their bios posted in the Staff section on our website.
At Inkwell Literary Magazine, we build each issue around a one word theme our writers and submitters will base their creative work around. For our first issue, we are proud to announce our theme is: Reversal: an act or the process of reversing; a change (as of fortune) often for the worse. We hope to see your most reversible, volatile,