Luna Negra Staff Application

Fall- Spring 2018-19

Thank you for applying to the staff of Luna Negra, Kent State’s literary and art magazine. Please send all application materials to by Friday, May 11 2018, at 6 p.m. with the subject line LASTNAME_FIRSTCHOICEPOSITION.

Make sure to include:

●Completed Application as a PDF or Word Document

●Resume as a PDF or Word Document

●Cover Letter as a PDF or Word Document

●Design or writing samples as directed in the application for your position

Please only fill out the sections of the application that apply to the position you are seeking. Of course, if you’re applying for multiple positions, please don’t hesitate! I look forward to working with you to continue Luna’s legacy of providing the Kent Community with beautiful and accessible visual art, photography, prose and poetry. Please include any other notes in the email, but send all of the above required documents as Word or PDF documents. We will meet once before the end of the semester, so keep an eye out for decisions, which should be made by May 18 at the latest.

-Cameron Gorman, Editor-in-chief

Name:
Class Standing:
Expected Graduation:
Major/ Minor:
GPA:
Position(s) Applying For: (In order of preference)
Other Commitments for 2018-19:
Phone No. and email:

ALL STAFF:

  1. What makes you want to work for Luna Negra? What does Luna mean to you?
  1. How have you encountered Luna in the past? (Submitted, work was selected, worked for the magazine previously, etc.)
  1. Do you think having a literary/arts magazine on campus is important? Why?
  1. What do you think were the strongest aspects of last year’s issue, and what do you think needs to be improved about Luna,
  1. Of course, all art is subjective. But when you see or read something good, what makes you think, “I really liked that?”

MANAGING EDITOR (1):

The managing editor will assist the editor-in-chief with editorial responsibilities including reading and editing submissions, attending all meetings, leading other team members and working with designers. Managing editor will also assist in managing writing staff. Please submit three (3) writing samples with application.

  1. Why do you want to be managing editor?
  1. As managing editor, how would you seek to improve Luna, both in its physical form and as an entity?
  1. What editorial and/or writing experience have you had in the past?
  1. What does writing/poetry/art mean to you? Why are you drawn to it?
  1. How do you think Luna could better serve the Kent community?
  1. As managing editor, there may be times when you will have to address issues within the staff or the magazine. Speak to your communication and management style with others.

ART DIRECTOR (1):

The managing editor will approve final designs, edit and review art submissions with other editors, create a workable template for the Design Staff, work with the web designer and manage the Design Staff. Must be proficient in Adobe InDesign and Photoshop. Please submit three (3) design or art samples with application.

  1. Why do you want to be the art director?
  1. What design experience have you had?
  1. Speak to your communication and management styles. How would you be sure that the design staff is productive and cohesive?
  1. How could the design of Luna Negra’s print edition and branding improve?
  1. A goal for this year’s Luna staff is to create a visually appealing and accessible website. How would you work with the web designer to make sure that the design of the website and print edition are cohesive?

WRITING/ EDITING STAFF (3-5):

The writing and editing staff will review and edit submissions to the magazine, work on editing for publishing to the new website and create content for the website and possibly the magazine. Please submit three (3) writing samples with application.

  1. What drew you to this position?
  1. What does writing/poetry/art mean to you? Why are you drawn to it?
  1. What writing and editing experience have you had?
  1. When reading through submissions, what might you look for in prose and poetry as possible content for the magazine?
  1. How would you describe your writing? What drives you to write?
  1. What do you think is the most important improvement Luna could make this semester?

DESIGNERS (3-5):

Designers will work with the Art Director and Web Designer to create a cohesive design for Luna Negra’s branding, website and print edition. Must be proficient in Adobe InDesign and Photoshop. Please submit three (3) design or art samples with application.

  1. What drew you to this position?
  1. What designing and/or artistic experience have you had?
  1. As a designer, you will have to work with others to create a cohesive print product. Speak to your ability to work within a team.
  1. How would you describe your design style? What kind of designer are you?
  1. What aspects of Luna’s design need to be improved the most? How might you improve these aspects?

WEB/ SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERS (1-2):

This new position will focus on maintaining the website for Luna Negra, including archives, weekly or monthly poems, a calendar of events and a space for submissions. In short, the web designer will help to get the website up and running, and will add and manage content on the website and social media. Must be proficient in using WordPress, as we are going to be using this for the site. Must also be proficient in Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

  1. What experience have you had in web management?
  1. Currently, lunanegramag.com (a Wordpress site) is fairly bare. What can we do to better serve our readers?
  1. As the web manager, you will have to work with the Art Director to make sure the website is cohesive with the print edition and branding. Speak to your ability to work in a team setting.
  1. What drew you to wanting to work with Luna Negra?
  1. What makes a “good website?”
  1. Do you think it is important for a literary/arts magazine to have a welcoming, working website and social media presence? Why do you feel this way?