Published: April 24, 2024
Neon’s 2024 Issue is Big, Available Now
The latest issue of Neon has hit the stands, and it’s heavier than ever. 
Assistant editor Hex Brown '24 unveils the newest cover of Neon at this year's anthology launch party. Photo by Ethan Martinez '26
Neon, ÂÌÅ«Ì컨°å’s student-run literature and arts magazine, accepted more student-produced prose, poetry, photos and paintings than ever, making . his year’s anthology nearly double the thickness of last year’s issue. The bonus-sized edition is thanks in large part to the work of Neon’s community editors, who collected, curated, edited and produced the publication over the past eight months.
The community editors, though, are thanking Neon for the experience and privilege of working on it.
“It’s insanely good to have on your résumé,” said Daleyna Abril ’24, an English and writing double major and president of Neon.
“( Neon’s) been the thing I’ve talked about in most of the interviews that I've gotten so far,” Abril, who graduates next month, said. “I’ve learned the entirety of the editorial process, administrative duties, collaboration, all the basic things that you need to know when you go into any sort of publishing or editorial career.”
Neon had 11 contributing community editors this year. For them, the work feels like play.
“ Neon is a space for people who are passionate about the same things and are united in that passion for a common goal,” said Joel Lee ’24, a writing major and a community editor.
“You're hanging out with people who are most likely guaranteed to be your friends because they like the same (things) that you like. They think the same way that you think, and they want to get involved.”
Associate professor Ryan McIlvain, Neon’s faculty advisor, added that Neon is not a club for just English or writing majors. Students from any major who want to be a part of the collaborative process or get feedback on their own work can join and even lead Neon, he said.
“( Neon) prepares you for a real world that is not as hyper-specialized,” McIlvain said.
In judging submissions to accept, Neon’s editors choose whether to review art, prose and/or poetry submissions and are encouraged to submit their own work. The president removes the authors’ names on the pieces and the names of the reviewers on their evaluations of the work. Authors get feedback for their efforts whether the work is accepted or rejected.
“It gives people practice, and it gets people publications on their CV. That, for me, is number one,” Lee said. “They say, ‘publish or perish,’ and I think that the younger you get started on that, the better it looks for your CV and your résumé, regardless of whether you go into writing or not.”
Hex Brown ’24, a writing major and an assistant editor, agreed, and said the personal experience at Neon can exceed the career-readiness aspect.
“I almost forget to put this on my résumé, because I'm, like, ‘Oh, yeah, this was the time when my friends got together, talked about writing and then we also produced a literary journal.’ I think it definitely can help your résumé, but, for me, the strongest thing is that it's a community of writers or people who are passionate about art,” they said.
The editors will take a break in the summer. But, come next fall, Neon will work hard, play hard and write hard again. Students interested in joining can contact ana.alvarado@spartans.ut.edu.
To get a copy of Neon’s newest issue, contact Neon on Instagram .
Story by Lena Malpeli '25
