The Literary Magazine of HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College
Welcome to The Copper Quill, the first fully online literary magazine for HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College! Founded in 2021, The Copper Quill features work from talented students across all 5 HACC campuses. We publish art, photography, poetry, short works of prose (fiction and nonfiction), and reviews. See our submission guidelines above, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
The staff of The Copper Quill is incredibly excited to share our first-ever SCI Camp Hill Takeover Edition: The Quill from the Hill (the title of which was created by HACC students at SCI Camp Hill!). This issue features writing and cover art by HACC students at SCI Camp Hill. The TCQ team would like to say a special thank-you to the students for their courage and openness in sharing their voices with us.
Another notable thank-you goes out to the students' English professor, Dr. Alfred Siha, who was instrumental in making the takeover issue possible. Dr. Siha, along with sociology professor John Flavin, also collected and scanned copies of the students' work to share with the TCQ staff (which the TCQ staff then not only edited, but typed!). Additionally, Foundational Studies professor Dr. Connie Ogle, the Technology & Industry Department Chair and the faculty lead for the Prison Education Program, provided valuable support for the takeover issue.
Thank you, too, to Dr. Leslie M. Boon, Executive Dean, School of Liberal Arts; Dr. Tondelaya K. George, Associate Dean, School of Liberal Arts; and Kimberly H. Green, English Department Chair, for their guidance and support throughout the process of creating the takeover issue. Dr. Boon, Dr. George, Professor Green, and Prakash Sapkota, Administrative Support 1, School of Liberal Arts, also made it possible to share print copies of The Quill from the Hill with the SCI Camp Hill students. (If you would like to view a PDF version of the print copy of the issue, please note that we have posted one to the Past Issues page a bit earlier than usual to facilitate this process.)
With no further ado, we invite you to enter the pages of the SCI Camp Hill Takeover Edition: The Quill from the Hill.
In celebration of Women's History Month, The Copper Quill is excited to share not just one, but four featured blog posts! We invite you to learn about the following authors, who are listed in chronological order: Sappho, in a piece written by Seth Martin, English professor; Christine de Pizan, in a piece written by Zachary Wesley, adjunct English instructor; and Dr. Patricia Jabbeh Wesley, in a piece written by Justine Shultz, adjunct English instructor. Additionally, we invite you to read about Rosalie Morales Kearns in a piece composed by our very own Rick Kearns, one of the advisors of The Copper Quill! To view these thought-provoking reflections on the work of notable women writers, please click here to access our blog page.
Open/Feature Poetry Readings in Central PA!
Harrisburg
Blacklisted Poets of Harrisburg open readings every Thursday night, 8pm-10pm (or thereabouts). Held at HMAC, 1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, (717) 480-2942; justannajane@gmail.com.
Nathaniel Gadsden's Writers Workshop – most of their readings are now held virtually.
Lancaster/York
A Concrete Rose bookbar has a great open mic night every Wednesday from 7-9pm. It's always a full house, usually SRO, and it's a supportive and affirming space for poets. Follow A Concrete Rose on Instagram to stay up-to-date on additional workshops and open mic-type events!
House of Poetry events are held every 3rd Monday of the month with a vibrant open mic. Young poets should follow @nobodys_pen on Instagram to keep up to date on what they're doing. They have plans going through May and June so far, and they're looking at doing a lot of work this summer. Sean Hogan's page also shares all of these events.
Columbia Kettle Works has an open mic every other Tuesday in Columbia.
Parliament Arts in York occasionally sponsors events.
Read Rose Books, 23 N. Prince St., Lancaster, on FB and @readrosebooks on Instagram. Check website or social media for details
Gettysburg
Ragged Edge Coffee House holds readings on the first Friday of each month. Check first for details. 110 Chambersburg St., (717) 334-4464.
Hanover
We are very interested in creative non-fiction pieces, especially those that deal with the realities facing HACC students; those realities include dealing with financial aid, working, emotional and psychological challenges, and social justice issues such as racism or climate change. Pieces should be 2,500 words or less.