Each spring, the English Department puts together a collection of the greatest stories, poems, and art this school has to offer.  Students and community members line up each year to hear select authors perform their pieces at the Perceptions reading (although maybe they were just there for the cake).

After the mind-blowing success of the journal in previous years, Perceptions staff has decided to put together another book each year called “Conceptions.”

“Inspiration just hit me one day,” said Todd Chalmers, former president and current mastermind behind Perceptions. “I was just reflecting one day of the beauty of life and maternity in general.  Then the idea was conceived!  A literary magazine that focuses on anything and everything that relates to the act which gives us life.”

Student reaction was immediate and overwhelming.  Books have been reserved in such large numbers that the staff will have to double, if not triple, the number of books printed.

Submissions have started rolling in as well, trying in a number of creative ways to incorporate the overlying theme of conception.  One student wrote a short story, placing the words within the peach-toned skin of a pregnant belly.  Another, a poem, organized words on the page in the shape of a uterus.

If this project goes as well as predicted, Perceptions may plan for other side-journals.  Ideas in the works include Deceptions, Receptions, Inceptions, Exceptions, Interceptions, and Contraceptions.