On Saturday, April 15, Limina: UNM Nonfiction Review released its 35th edition, which features nonfiction work from 13 different UNM students. The Limina staff welcomed their newest edition with a ceremony that placed a heavy emphasis and importance on the magazine’s contributors and their stories.
Approximately 40 people were in attendance Saturday night, with the event consisting of opening and closing remarks from Editor-in-Chief Zara Roy as well as recognition of each contributor and their featured piece. Contributors in attendance gave brief descriptions of their work before engaging in Q&As with rotating members of Limina’s staff.
The works included in this issue range from personal essays and architectural proposals to academic papers about payday loans, multiracialism and gothic literature. These diverse stories and students compliment the vastness of the nonfiction genre that Limina strives to uphold and uplift with each edition, according to Roy.
”We publish a lot of stuff. We wanted to see the full range (of nonfiction) and play with just how far we could reach in the University,” Roy said.
This edition of Limina marks a progression past COVID-focused literature, according to editor and UNM senior Charlotte Gates.
“We have this big, broad span of information which, I think, shows the growth of society past this COVID realm … Now, being in-person, you can feel this tangible expansion of what people are focusing on,” Gates said.
Roy also mentioned the variation in content this year while specifically highlighting her unique experience as editor-in-chief of the magazine after having previously served as an editor and managing editor for volumes 33 and 34, respectively.
“The content is so good and so varied this year,” Roy said. “It was weird and exciting to be on a different side (of the production process) … It was weird to take the lead and make something out of nothing.”
Student achievements were widespread in this year’s edition of the magazine, with Spenser Willden winning the English Department Award for his personal essay, “Territory.” Photos from Samuel Shorty’s photo essay “Presence and Myself” are featured on the front and back cover of the magazine.
“I think a dedication to truth-speaking always pops out in an essay,” Roy said. “You can tell when (an essay) is well-researched and the contributor is really interested in this topic … and wasn’t like ‘Okay, I’m gonna type this up and I’ll get a B.”
Limina is currently soliciting editor applications for their upcoming 2023-24 edition. Visit their website to apply or submit.
Jordyn Bachmann is a freelance reporter at the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com
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