"Colonnades," Elon's literary magazine, is different from a typical drugstore rag. As a journalistic magazine, its pages are filled with Elon students' creative work, including poetry, prose and art. The calibre of submissions and editorial staff resulted in "Colonnades" being named, for the second time, a National Pacemaker Award finalist.
The Magazine Pacemaker Award is presented by the Associated Collegiate Press to college and high school publications for journalistic excellence.
"I've heard the Pacemaker is compared to the Pulitzer of student works," said Cody Greene, staff member and senior.
The 2009-10 edition, titled "Public Spaces," was the first one named a Pacemaker finalist and ultimately given a Pacemaker award.
"This is a beautiful magazine," Greene said. "The art is fantastic. The design is truly top-notch. We want this magazine. You want to pick this up. You want to read it. I think every year we are very conscious of that."
The upcoming year looks to be just as strong. With high hopes for "The Physics of Want," "Colonnades" staff will march forward with even more speed this year.
"This year I think we would like to continue being innovative and put together a very aesthetically appealing book," said Alexa Johnson, staff member and senior.
As the staff and advisers Drew Perry and Tita Ramirez prepare for another year, they remain hopeful for "The Physics of Want" as it climbs toward the Pacemaker.
"We're really happy, two years in a row, we're right on top. Its really great," Greene said.
Before thoughts can drift to the Pacemaker, "Colonnades" must gather its art and literary pieces.
"The submission process is huge, it is kind of a monster," Greene said.
A major part of the submission process falls in the hands of the readers.
"Weeding it down is a task," Greene said. "That's where our readers come in, our kind of extended family at the 'Colonnades' office. We love our readers. They're the ones that really keep our heads on straight as editors."
After all editors agree on the pieces, they must be organized.
"You have to put together a magazine with a theme and a layout that is aesthetically pleasing in a sense," Johnson said.
While the core of the magazine is the literary content, there are features outside the actual pieces.
"Last year (former editor) Jonathan Bolding started using little tags so that you could scan your iPhone and see video," Johnson said. "Some of our artists created wonderful videos, but obviously you can't put it in a book. I would like to make sure our Web presence picks up a lot more so that it's not just a book, it will be a website you can continue to go to."
Although many submissions come from creative writing, English or art majors, "Colonnades" accepts pieces from all students.
"We are always pushing everyone outside to submit. It's definitely a community kind of thing," Greene said.
Submissions are due mid-January and the magazine is published in the spring.
Even as they work at this year's magazine, The "Colonnades" staff is eager for Oct. 29, when the results will be revealed for this year's Pacemaker award.
"We're interested in the best Elon has to offer," Greene said.