Oracle, the fine arts magazine of the University of South Alabama, is calling on local student and community writers and artists to submit for publication by its Friday deadline.

“This is an excellent opportunity for student and local writers and artists to be published in a fine arts magazine,” said Michelle Ladner, Oracle’s editor-in-chief. “Our quality is improving every year, and we look forward to publishing an exceptional issue this spring.”

Submissions are due Oct. 17 for the Spring 2009 issue, and are accepted in the following media: fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, stageplay, screenplay, essay, mixed media, painting, illustration, photography, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture and drawing.

In 2004, Oracle won the University and College Designers Association Award of Excellence and was exhibited in the UCDA 34th Annual Design Competition Show that year.

“We plan to have an exciting visual layout for the magazine this year,” said Robyn Steadham, Oracle’s art director.

The staff for Oracle this year includes Michelle Ladner, editor-in-chief; Robyn Steadham, art director; Matt Overstreet, art curator; Frank Ard and Jeremy Daughtry, fiction editors; Mike Odom, nonfiction editor; and Jessica Jones, poetry editor.

“The magazine is run entirely by USA students,” Ladner said. “It’s a great chance to learn how a magazine is published. Students who have an interest should think about getting involved next year.”

The Oracle 2009 board members include the following students: Fiction—Amanda Gibson, Trisha Koger, Jen Lenk, Prianka Mansur, Paul McGowan, Kristina Smith and Ann Eleece Tacon; Poetry — Leon Bigham, Mia Lombardi, Sarah Malone, Michael Mason, Megan McDaniel, P.T. Paul and Vanessa Quintana; Nonfiction — Regena Dossett, Shannon Howard, Nicole Paulk, Peggy Tran and Brittany Williams; Art — Nikkita Bhakta, Don J. Freeman, Brittany Hawkins, Courtney Gordon, Drew Hard, Mandi Huffman, Kelly May, Aubrey Pugh, Kathleen Schmucker, Christi Steiner, Josh Story, Richard Touchton and Amy Woodward.

Ellen Harrington in the USA English Department and diane gibbs in the Art Department serve as faculty advisors for the magazine.

All submissions must be sent electronically and received by midnight, Oct. 17, to be considered for publication in Oracle’s Spring 2009 issue.

Submission guidelines and other information are available at the magazine’s Web site: www.southalabama.edu/oracle.