NYC Insomnia

by Lorene Farnsworth


Wired in a city lit up like a prison yard—

With a night so bright that morning is a release.

Wrong number Australia calls to say good day and asks if people really live in NYC.

Well, I don’t know—maybe they don’t, I haven’t met a neighbor in five years.

Were you to leave a message, they’ll be here in the morning—

Maybe they could call you back on their lunch break.

Guidelines for Submission

Rules for Contest Submissions:

1) Submit all works to cognito@sou.edu (attachments, please).

2) All stories in either Real Text Format or Microsoft Word.

3) Type the name of the contest you're entering in the email's subject line.

4) All e-mails must include a brief paragraph with your name, e-mail address, and best way to contact you.

Rules For Open (Non-Contest) Submissions:

1) Submit all works to cognito@sou.edu (attachments, please).

2) All stories in either Real Text Format or Microsoft Word.

3) All e-mails must be titled Open Submission.

4) All e-mails must include a brief paragraph with your name, e-mail address, and best way to contact you.

For Fiction and Non-fiction:

1) No word count limit (1-5,000 words are ideal, though).

2) Double-spaced with a 12-point font. Nothing fancy.

3) Please send us stories that are well-written and have captivating, original characters and plots. You must send in your own original work.

For Poetry:

1) Submit up to three poems at a time.

Rules For Literary Columns and Book Reviews:

1) Submit all works to cognito@sou.edu (attachments, please).

2) All stories in either Real Text Format or Microsoft Word.

3) All e-mails must be titled Literary Column.

4) Students must include a topic sentence or paragraph that describes the idea and the points the article will make; this is for the editors' benefit and wont be included in the post. The article must be related to fiction or poetry in some way, and the club members will approve the topic and request the article.

5) The article must be between 500- 1000 words unless special permission is asked.

6) All submissions will be published in a discussion thread where other students may respond to the article.

Book reviews follow the same criteria as literary columns. Each book review should be between 300 and 1000 words. The writer must include information about the book (author, publishing date, etc.). The review should consist of a short plot synopsis, and the rest of the content should consist of the value of the book and reasons for reading or not reading the book.

For accommodations due to a disability call 552-6222

The New Cognito

Here we are: it's the start of a new school year, and it's also the start of a whole new Cognito. This blog is our new website; with it, we have greater control over the way submissions and contest winners are published. Also, this is more fun.

Remember, we are always accepting fiction, poetry, and nonfiction submissions on any topic from student writers. Every submission will be put under consideration to be published right here for all to read, admire, and discuss (intelligently, of course). If your submission makes it through a panel of three or four judges (who will not know the author's name), it will then be brought before the rest of the group for consideration. Cognito is a great way for students to get published and to receive feedback from fellow students and anyone else who happens to stumble upon the site, so please take advantage of the opportunity! Send submissions to cognito@sou.edu.

We will also run a number of contests throughout the school year. Details for each contest can be found on the right side of the page under "What's Going On?" For some, eligible (SOU students only) winners will win cash prizes; for others, they will receive the title of Champion and the thrill of victory. Every contest submission will be brought before all of Cognito's staff to be judged. We will persistently endeavor to keep judging fair and unbiased. Authors' names are not revealed to the staff until the final results have been decided.

In the spirit of attempting to create opportunities for student writing, we may also hold writing events (either on the site or on-campus) during the year. Keep your eyes open!

Welcome to Cognito. We're glad you're here.