You don’t know dedication until you have met this semester’s AmLit editors-in-chief. Senior Michelle Merica, a double major in Print Journalism and Literature, hails from Las Vegas, Nevada. And senior Sam Falewee, a Public Relations major, was born in Nice, France. AmLit is American University’s literary magazine that is produced every semester. In edition to being super stylish, hilarious and just generally amazingly encouraging people to be around, Sam and Michelle are providing art-minded students with a platform for their art and creativity. AmLit is off to an amazing start this semester because of the way Sam and Michelle have joined forces.
HC: How did you get involved in AmLit and what has it taught you?
MM: I started attending AmLit meetings as a freshman and wasn’t crazy about it. I just felt a little out of place. I came back as a sophomore and it was a completely different experience. AmLit has definitely taught me the importance of community.
SF: I started working with AmLit my first semester of Freshman year. I heard about the magazine through word of mouth. I immediately wanted to be as involved as I could because I loved that all these art forms could come together in one magazine. AmLit has taught me that you need to love what you work at, and it makes me so hopeful that the arts can continue to thrive.
HC: Who are some of you favorite writers?
MM: Alice Fulton, she actually taught my high school English teacher at Ann Arbor. She uses traditional form and infuses it with a lot of pop culture references. As far as novelists go, I’m really into Philip Roth.
SF: My favorite poet is Sandra Beasley. The best thing about her is that she’s local from right here in DC.
HC: What does your position as editors-in-chief entail?
MM: We basically overview the whole magazine. We provide a forum on campus for a community who is often underrepresented, if not voiceless, to be heard. We present an award winning magazine, that is entirely student run and represented.
HC: What kind of legacy do you want to leave with AmLit?
SF: Expand, expand, expand. When we came on as editors we tripled our staff. We also greatly increased our use of technology this semester. We have added a marketing department, a new team of social media bloggers and an entirely new film genre. I hope that in the future AmLit will continue with these advancements and people will continue to produce a magazine that they are truly proud of.
HC: Where is the best place to relax and read in DC?
MM: Book Hill Park in Georgetown. There is so much to see and it is always filled with some pretty interesting characters.
SF: The top level of the Hirshhorn Museum. The whole floor is dedicated just for people to read and study. It has an amazing view of the heart of the city.
For more information about AmLit please visit their website, and start prepping your pieces for Spring submission now in order to impress Sam and Michelle!