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About

Empowering voices. Elevating stories. Enriching campus culture.

 

Here at Applause, our mission is to empower and embolden aspiring writers. We are an international undergraduate magazine seeking to uplift and amplify the voices of those writers across the country andaround the globe. In both what we publish and how we communicate with our authors, we strive to be inclusive, accepting, and above all else, kind. Whether you have dozens of published works or none at all, we are here to help you share your writing with the world, and to celebrate and applaud you.

 

History

 

black and white background of the Bell Tower at the University of Arkansas Fort - Smith.

Applause is an award-winning, student-run literary journal founded in 1980 within the English Department at the Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ (Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½).

Over its four-decade history, Applause has published poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and visual art. As a proud member of the Southern Literary Festival Association (SLFA), Applause has built a reputation for fostering excellence and has traditionally released its annual issue each spring. In 2021, Applause underwent a significant transformation, shifting from a publication dedicated solely to Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ students to an international literary journal spotlighting the best undergraduate writing from around the world. This pivot not only expanded our reach but also enriched the experiences and professionalization opportunities for our student staff.

 

Applause 2025 Masthead

 

Masthead is the official student publication of the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, showcasing bold storytelling, creative expression, and campus perspectives through student-driven journalism and design. From investigative features to vibrant visual art, Masthead captures the spirit, culture, and voices of the Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ community.

 

 

Name Title Education Favorite Authors
Ari Long Managing Editor Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Junior Rick Riordan and Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Jacob Childers Poetry Editor Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Junior Liu Cixin
Ashe Laudan Fiction Editor Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Senior Ursula K. Le Guin and J.R.R. Tolkien
Vincent Gonzales Non-Fiction Editor Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Sophomore David Maraniss

 

Applause Staff Readers

 

Name Education Favorite Author
Kobe Campbell Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Senior Stephen King
Chase Delaney Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Senior Margaret Atwood
Kirsten Garner Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Senior Sarah A. Parker and Alex Aster
Zac Mathias Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Junior J.R.R. Tolkien
Madison Mizell Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Junior Jennifer L. Armentrout and Tracy Wolff
Isabella Serrano Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Senior Britt Bennett
Jordan Shelton Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Senior Rick Riordan and Elizabeth Acevedo
Kameron Burns Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Junior  
Phillip Henley Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Sophomore  
Aaron Krafft Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Junior  

 

Layout & Design

 

Name Education Title
Kirsten Garner Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Senior Team Leader
Jacob Childers Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Junior Team Member
Aaron Krafft Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Junior Team Member
Zac Mathias Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Junior Team Member
Jordan Shelton Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Senior Team Member

 

Socail Media & Promotion

 

Name Education Title
Kameron Burns Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Junior Team Leader
Chase Delaney Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Senior Team Member
Isabella Serrano Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Senior Team Member