Phizzogs page header image

Phizzogs

Phizzogs is Carl Sandburg College's literary magazine published once a year featuring poetry, prose, artwork and photography from Sandburg students, as well as some pieces from Sandburg faculty and staff. 

A student staff, comprised of students enrolled in the Literary Magazine class, English 141, works together to promote the magazine and its deadlines, to go through submissions, to select award winners and to put the magazine together.

 

2023 CONTEST CATEGORY

In addition to submitting poems about any topic, writers are also welcome to submit a poem for this year's contest category: "I am the People, the Mob." 
The title of the contest comes from the name of a poem written by our college's namesake, Carl Sandburg.

Writers who submit a piece for this contest are asked to write a poem of any length or any genre; the only requirement is that their poem must also contain the line, "I am the People, the Mob." 
 
The winning poem will be published in the 2023 edition of Phizzogs. Writers who submit a poem to the contest category may still submit nine additional submissions of any kind to the magazine.

Writers: If you are submitting a poem for the "I am the People, the Mob" contest, please note that your poem is for the contest above the poem's title. 
  

Here is a reading of the poem by Marie Foolchang: Marie Foolchand: “I am the People, the Mob” by Carl Sandburg (Bing video)

Phizzogs submission

Phizzogs ethos statement: Phizzogs cultivates the discovery and refinement of the story waiting to be told.

  • Submissions for the Spring 2023 edition will be accepted from November 8 to February 21.
  • Current Sandburg students, faculty and staff are welcome to submit their writing, photography and artwork.
  • Phizzogs seeks work that is original, compelling and competent. 
  • Writing may include any genre: Poems, short stories, flash fiction, excerpts from novels, drama scenes, creative nonfiction (narrative essays), excerpts from graphic novels and more. 
  • Writing should not exceed 2,500 words (roughly 10 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font).
  • Writing must be original — no fan fiction. If a piece of art is inspired by an already existing work of art (for example, a painting of the cover of a record album), then the original source material must be clearly noted. Exact imitations are not accepted.
  • Writing and photographs should be submitted online. Each photograph should be uploaded or attached to the submission. Each photograph must have a title. 
  • Students interested in submitting a piece of art should contact art instructor Lisa Walker at ldwalker@sandburg.edu
      

Pervious Phizzogs Editions

Typically, the magazine is released in the spring, in conjunction with the Spring Student Art Show. This year, we are glad to be able to share this online version of the magazine; a print version will be released when possible. 

Phizzogs 2020 cover below. Two ways to view the 2020 issue:

Phizzogs_2020_Cover_web.jpg

 

Poem Readings

Kailin Cutliff

Kailin discusses her experience in Creative Writing 1:

Kailin discusses her inspiration behind "An Ode to My Car" entry: 

Kailin discusses her inspiration beyond "Justin" and "You Don't Deserve Her" entries: 

 

Dominic Godsil

Dominic Godsil discusses Creative Writing 1 and his entries in Phizzogs:

Grace Robbins

Grace Robbins discusses her Phizzogs entry: