To Enon, a witty and generous "thiefress" with a soft spot for curious little boys, the world may be better behind bars. The character in "Poor Enon" is the creation of Meghan Garrett, a sophomore at Huguenot High School. Her tale is published in Podium , a new literary journal for Richmond public high-school students.
The first volume of the journal, released last spring, is a 70-page collection of short fiction, nonfiction, poetry, opinion pieces and black-and-white illustrations. It was such a success — 10,000 copies have been distributed — that the board plans to double circulation and expand the length for volume two, due out in 2010.
The decision to create the journal was a "no-brainer," because students have a lot to say, notes David L. Robbins, a local author and board member of the Podium Foundation (as is Richmond magazine editor-in-chief Susan Winiecki). "It's easy for us to believe in this."
This fall, Richmond's eight high schools will host two Podium weeks, when each school can submit 10 of its best selections per category — poetry and fiction (the week of Oct. 12), and op-eds, memoirs and art (the week of Nov. 16). An editorial board of students will then vet the submissions and decide who gets published.
Volume one is available at Ukrop's, local bookstores and libraries. For more information, call 222-5105 or visit podiumfoundation.com .
