Students craving something to read other than the usual comics and the back of cereal boxes should keep an eye out for a literary magazine written by their peers.

Persona magazine, the undergraduate literature and art magazine at the University of Arizona, will hit stores sometime late in spring of 1997.

The magazine, already in its18th edition, is comprised of poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction written by undergraduates of all majors.

It is a combination of both visual arts and creative writings. Although there is no real theme to the writings, each year, the visual arts aspect of the magazine sets a trend for the visual theme of the magazine.

Persona has been a student-run publication with the occasional help of an academic adviser since its first issue in 1978. Each year, new student editors are hired. For the spring of 1997 issue, the co-editors in chief are creative writing seniors Carl Marcum and Michelle Nickol.

Although the magazine has been hitting the stands for nearly two decades, it is somewhat unknown to students that are not directly involved with its production.

"I know of it but I have never actually read it," said English senior Matt Munsey.

Once published, Persona is distributed to various bookstores, including the UA Associated Students Bookstore. The magazine's selling price is $10, all of which goes to cover the cost of publication, according to English Professor Jerrold Hogle, academic adviser for the organization.

Starting in mid-November, Persona editors begin to accept student writings for that spring's publication. The submissions must consist of three to five poems or at least 10 pages of either fiction or creative non-fiction. The magazine, in the past, also has published short plays.

Students that have been involved with the magazine, such as the editorial staff, recruit members of creative writing classes and other such classes that would contribute writings for the Persona publication.

Along with looking for potential writing material in the fall, the organization also holds monthly readings.

Every third Tuesday of the month, two writers from the previous edition are featured as speakers or readers from 8 to 10 p.m. in The Cellar, in the Memorial Student Union. In addition to the readings, there is an open microphone session, at which time students can debut their literary work.

During the 18-year history of the magazine, it has been the recipient of many national awards, including the Associated Writing Program award for design in 1993 and 1994. The magazine was also a finalist in the 1995 awards, the winner of which will be announced by the AWP later this fall.

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