For all those writers, readers, lit enthusiasts, and coffee drinkers out there, checking out the English Association definitely seems worth your while! The English Association, just recently reactivated and rejuvenated at BC, adventures around campus and into Boston to pursue all awesome literary interests. Meet Natasza and Natalie: two of the E-Board members behind the recently invigorated club!
What interests or needs in the BC Community brought on the idea for the English Association?
Natalie: When I approached Professor Matson about getting further involved with the English Department, she suggested reactivating the EA. There are quite a few English majors and tons of non-majors on campus who appreciate literature and writing. I think that the EA is a place for people who have those interests to get together in an informal setting and talk about these things. It’s somewhere you can go where you know you’ll find someone who loves, let’s say, historical fiction and would want to go see an author who’s speaking about that in Boston. There’s so much we do together, that we can do, that I think of it as a little literary haven, if you will.
How did you get the momentum to get it going?
Natalie: That was probably the most difficult part because when I took over in September, apparently, the club was frozen. So going through all the steps to reactivate it was tedious, but once word got out that the EA was actually going to be doing things, the response I received was pretty awesome. An E-Board was assembled pretty quickly, and the people at our three events last semester were so enthusiastic. From then on, it was just a matter of shameless pubbing and voila! Here we are. Still building a name for ourselves, but we’re taking this momentum from our super successful first general meeting, and running with it.
How is the EA different from other literary groups on campus?
Natalie: Mmm, the EA isn’t exactly a book club, though we discuss certain aspects of novels. It’s not a literary magazine, even if we have a creative writing competition (accepting submissions until February 28th!!). It’s pretty unique. We go to Boston to introduce others and ourselves to independent bookstores, check out local authors, screen films inspired by/adapted from novels, host creative writing competitions, and hold informal discussions where we can peer edit each other’s work. That’s not even everything. And it’s not just for English majors, though that’s the core we aim towards; we’re more of an inclusive group rather than exclusive. I mean, we’re just… different. What other clubs have home-cooked/baked food at nearly every event and go check out a local bookstore, stay for their literary/random trivia night, and eat super delicious food?! None that I know of…
What big events/plans can we expect to see from EA?
Natasza: The English Association will be hosting a creative writing competition this semester! Students will be able to submit their work into several categories, including short story fiction, creative nonfiction, historical fiction, science fiction (stories no longer than 15 pages) and poetry (collection of 4 poems maximum)! This competition will be judged by the EA E-Board, as well as professors from each given category. The top three winners of each category will receive prizes and a publication in one of Boston College’s on campus magazines! Furthermore, we will be holding weekly or biweekly conversations about different writing topics. This is a fantastic opportunity to get advice and practice on how to develop characters, how to write a novel or short story in an unfamiliar genre and talk with other students about writing tips and tricks! Along with this creative discussion among students, professors will be invited to speak about each particular topic and give their own advice! Lastly, we’re hoping to do a tour of many of the bookstores found in the Boston area (like Trident, Newtonville Books, Brookline Booksmith, etc) so hopefully more people will be able to join!
What kinds of students should look into joining the EA?
Natasza: Everyone and anyone interested in reading and writing should join the English Association! Although the E-Board is all English majors, our general members have backgrounds in all different fields and we’d love to expand and draw in people with all majors and interests. We may be obsessed with books, love writing, and enjoy having intellectual discussions, but we’re also just a fun, easygoing group of people! Anyone who is looking for a welcoming, young club to be a part of and help build should join the English Association– especially those who want to improve their writing or have discussions about literature.
With a new events schedule and growing popularity, we’re predicting that any literarian out there will have trouble resisting this new organization on campus. For more information on this campus celebrity, contact:
Natalie Blardony (President): blardony@bc.edu
Rob Williams: (Co-President) williavm@bc.edu
Natasza Gawlick (Vice President): gawlickn@bc.edu