Chiaroscuro 2024 Edition

Chiaroscuro 

  • the treatment of light and shade in drawing and painting
  • an effect of contrasted light and shadow created by light falling unevenly or from a particular direction on something.

In this chaotic world, there are many interpretations of what light and dark mean. You don’t have to choose a side―just allow either to help spread your wings. 

Chiaroscuro is the creative voice of Brevard College. We welcome all writers and artists from the Brevard College community (students, staff, faculty, and alumni) to submit poetry, creative nonfiction, fiction, theatre pieces, and art/photography that induce thought-provoking questions for our readers. 

We want the Brevard College community to come together and share in a love for diversity and creativity. By showcasing current issues through literature, Chiaroscuro pushes the boundaries of what is conventional and shines light upon those whose voices have been dismissed. 

Chiaroscuro exists to encourage growth, kindness, hope, and self-expression. 

We are here to help showcase your voice and art. We recommend that you look at earlier versions of the literary journal to get a feel for what is expected. We are privileged to learn and grow alongside our readers. 

Welcome to Chiaroscuro!

Welcome to the online presence for Chiaroscuro, Brevard College's annual print literary and arts journal. We feature art, poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, theatre pieces, hybrids, and book reviews created by Brevard College students, staff, faculty, and alumni. 

You can find our digitized issues here, including our most recent 2024 edition. 

Follow us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for updates and features from the journal. 

Email: chiaroscuro@brevard.edu

Editors-in-Chief: Alexa Jennings, Karis King, Sara Laboe

Managing Editor & Social Media Manager/Webmaster: Courtney Wall

Assistant Managing Editor: Mickey Lasco

Art & Design Editors: Alexa Jennings and Karis King

Genre Editor: Evey Perrey

Assistant Genre Editors: Sierethene Chepes, Logan Masinsky, Roxxanne Petryshak, 

Faculty Adviser: Dr. Alyse Bensel, Associate Professor of English

Submissions to Chiaroscuro will reopen September 1 and close on November 20! Submit to us by emailing chiaroscuro@brevard.edu, and we will get back to you shortly. 

General Submission Guidelines

When submitting, please consider the following: 

  • You may submit three times during the reading period. Once you submit, please wait to receive a reply from the staff. 

  • Use Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or a PDF for text submissions instead of pasting your work in the body of the email. For visual art, please attach jpegs. Include the medium of the work.

  • Submit a cover letter for your work in the body of your email submission. This includes:
    • Any information you want to give the editors about your work
    • Contact information
    • A 50 to 75-word third-person bio about yourself or the BC-affiliated individual who created the work. Please tell us your majors/minors, any upcoming work, which classes you’re in, and how long you have been writing or creating art. 
    • For art submission, include the medium of your work.

Poetry Submission Guidelines

Submit up to three poems totaling no more than six pages. 

Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, Hybrid, and Book Review Submission Guidelines

Submit up to two creative nonfiction, fiction, hybrid, or book review pieces totaling up to ten double-spaced pages.

Theatre Submission Guidelines

Submit one theatre piece between five to ten pages.

Art/Photography Submission Guidelines

Submit up to four pieces of art. Art can be black and white and/or color. Photos can be landscape or portrait. 

We also consider art that has been exhibited through the Brevard College Fine Arts Division.

Chiaroscuro and Brevard College do not support plagiarized work. We will not accept any work that resembles slander or spouts hate towards any group of people and/or individual.