for anyone who is interested in knowing how the process of getting your stuff into mosaic works, it goes something like this:
               
1. the managing editor checks the email and dpo mailbox for any submissions.

2. the managing editor then photocopies those submissions with the names covered up for anonymity.

3. the copies of the work are passed out to everyone who attends that meeting. (once the voting is over those copies are taken back and recycled.) the managing editor is the only person who knows the name on the piece until the very end after the voting has taken place (that is, unless you attend the meeting where your piece is read. if you're interested in hearing some constructive criticism this can be quite informative). we're very insistent on anonymity, so if you do attend and your piece is being read please try to refrain from claiming it until after the vote has been taken.

4. two separate people read each piece out loud. (if the submission is a piece of visual art each person at the meeting gets a chance to look at it)

5. then we discuss. we look at structure, form, tone, plot, etc. anyone at the meeting can make comments on the piece (the comments mainly revolve around whether or not we like the piece and why/why not). we encourage constructive criticism. each person has her/his own opinions about "what is art" so there are no concrete requirements for what gets in and what does not. if you haven't been happy with the contents of mosaic in the past, a good way to fix that is to attend as many meetings as possible.

6. the last step is the vote. each person at the meeting, no matter who you are, has a vote. you can vote one of three ways: yay, abstain, or nay. to get into the magazine a piece must have 2/3 of the vote. you should abstain from voting if you created the piece or if you know the person who did.

7. after the vote the literary editor takes the names of the submit-ers and writes them informing them of the decision about their work.

anyone at all is welcome to come to mosaic meetings. although the magazine is a douglass publication, men are welcome to submit as well as come to meetings. if you come to a meeting you don't have to say a word unless you want to. we're really nice, i swear! :) if you have any questions send them to mosaic at 27717 dpo way or write back to mosaic19@hotmail.com. or ask us in person at the next meeting.