Helicon West gives writers, students a voice
The bimonthly featured reading and open mic series, Helicon West, provides a place for members of the writing community and USU students to have a voice.
“Everybody wants their work to be heard,” said Star Coulbrooke, USU Writing Center director and coordinator of Helicon West.
The event, held every second and fourth Thursday of the month in the Jim Bridger Room of the Logan Library, began in 2005 when Coulbrooke met with Michael Sowder, a professor of creative writing and poetry at USU. They both wanted a place where members of the writing community could read their works for an audience.
“Helicon is, essentially, an opportunity for the writing community of Cache Valley to meet, exchange ideas and to showcase a wide variety of writer’s work,” said Robb Kunz, an English professor at USU. “Besides the chance to hear others read their work, Helicon offers an open mic-style platform for anyone interested to read their current projects.”
The program starts at 7 p.m. with opening announcements and introduction and then gets right into the readings. The first section features guest speakers, which in the past have included members of the Utah League of Writers, USU alumni and USU students.
Kunz said past programs have included people like former USU instructor and HW planner Darren Edwards, members of USU’s creative writing club The Bull Pen, published poet and USU professor Shanan Ballam, winner of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs Award for the Novel Kirstin Scott, as well as poet laureates, slam poets and others.
After the featured readings, Helicon moves into the open mic section of the program. A signup sheet sits by the door before it starts, and those who want to sign their name and then get the opportunity to read their work.
“It’s terrifying to get up in front of people and read, but at the same time, Helicon West is a safe place,” said Jesse Betts, a graduate student studying literature and writing. “Everyone is very open and accepting.”
Many students are involved in Helicon West, including Betts, the videographer who records and posts the readings to the event blog.
“Students are involved in every aspect of Helicon West. Students aid in production, planning and marketing of Helicon West,” Kunz said. “Selected students are often asked to be featured readers.”
Coulbrooke, said students are the main focus of Helicon West.
“What students find is an actual writing community, not a class you go to, not something you have to do, and something resonates with them,” Coulbrooke said.
Many of the students who have read at Helicon have been published, and Coulbrooke said one of the main goals of Helicon is publication. Those who want to be published can submit their work to Coulbrooke for consideration and may be selected to be on a Broadside, a large sheet of paper with the written works that have been chosen. Many of them are on USU’s campus, hanging on the walls of the Ray B. West Building for the public to read.
“I never would’ve been published without the help of the Utah Writers and Helicon West,” said Eric Bishop, a first-time novelist as of August. “The feedback is immediate, and you know if people like it or don’t.”
Last year, Helicon West received the Robins Award for Achievement of the Year, a reward for hard work and overcoming obstacles. This award typically goes to someone or something that has brought recognition to the university, something Coulbrooke is very proud of.
“It’s gone beyond my wildest hopes,” Coulbrooke said. “It just thrives. The people, and just the atmosphere, it’s just so vibrant, alive, and people care about it. It’s a place where they can come and feel like it’s their own voice, their own style. Their voice matters. It doesn’t matter what they read; the people appreciate it.”
Millie Tullis, a junior majoring in English at USU and president of The Bull Pen, has been attending Helicon since last fall.
“It’s actually really good writing, and that makes it fun to go,” Tullis said. “It’s an open environment, and you don’t have to be an English major to enjoy it.”
The featured readings and open mic style of the program provide an opportunity to share or just simply listen.
“Students are exposed to new ideas, creative ways of writing and a sense of community among those that attend,” Kunz said. “Students can share their work or simply listen to writing that spans genres and styles. Helicon West is open to the community. It is an event that everyone can participate in.”
The next event will be held on Feb. 27 and will feature local writer Chadd VanZanten, and all members of the community are invited to attend.
Past readings and events are available at www.heliconwest.wordpress.com.
– carleehun@aggiemail.usu.edu