The Towers Literary and Creative Arts Magazine hit campus April 30, giving NIU students the opportunity to showcase their talents.

NIU’s yearly literary and creative magazine contains pieces of original creative work completed by students.

The magazine features unpublished work from graduates and undergraduates such as fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and art/photography, said Jessica Wedemeyer, English graduate student in British and American literature and the magazine’s editor in chief of the magazine.

Student editors judge the submissions for each category and determine what is included in the magazine.

Wedemeyer said the magazine features three to four fiction pieces, three to four nonfiction pieces, eight to 12 poetry pieces and eight to 10 art/photography pieces.

Wedemeyer said the magazine allows students to build experience.

“This magazine is an important showcase for student talent and creativity,” she said. “It is a recognized literary and creative arts magazine and a great portfolio-builder for students needing publication.”

Each year, the editors choose a winner from each category that displays the best creativity and talent, Wedemeyer said. Winning students are awarded the Editor’s Choice Award, recognition in the magazine and $100.

Readers can pick up a copy in the residence halls, Founders Memorial Library, Holmes Student Center, Campus Life Building, Dusable Hall, Barsema Hall and the Art Building.

Amy Johnson, junior math education major, said the magazine is a way to get to know the NIU community.

“I would read it to learn more about NIU students and to [know] what they’re all about,” she said.

Wedemeyer said this is her first year on the staff and she thinks the magazine brings out the creativity of students on campus.

“I think that having the motivation of being published, recognized and possibly winning something is what brings out student creativity,” she said. “The creativity is already there; we just give the incentive for the students to show off their talent to peers and teachers.”