Dear KLIO Readers,
Coming into KLIO 2022, many staffers had minimal experience with literary magazines—let alone ideas about how to produce one that would capture the “We Are” spirit Penn State is known for exuding. However, after four months of hard work and dedication, we proudly display the sixth volume of KLIO, putting a new spin on the magazine we’ve come to love.
The KLIO 2022 staff deliberated carefully about what to title this year’s edition. Some staff members liked the name Daze, while others highly advocated for Cloud 9 due to the imagery encapsulated within the cover. However, we finally settled on the name Altered Reality because we felt the title recognizes the situation we’re currently encountering amid the pandemic but also the tone conveyed by many of the accepted submissions, especially those that take us to unfamiliar realms and unsettling spaces.
Recognizing an unmet need and market within the Penn State community, the KLIO 2022 staff decided to spotlight science fiction and fantasy works this semester. Inspired by the community’s love of dragons, monsters, aliens and witches, we curated a space for Sci-Fi/Fantasy lovers to thrive.
For instance, if you identify as a fanatic of Marissa Meyer’s esteemed YA series “The Lunar Chronicles,” head to our fantasy genre to check out the story “Electric Blood.” We have diverse selections that will appeal to sci-fi/fantasy lovers of all backgrounds.
Despite focusing our attention on science fiction and fantasy works this semester, that doesn’t mean we’ve deserted our focus from KLIO’s roots. We have an array of artwork, music, poetry and more for audiences to read and experience through.
KLIO 2022 contains an array of fiction works, not just in the sci-fi/fantasy genres, that would captivate the fiction lover. For instance, if you’re interested in the manner in which time passes or murderous storylines like those encapsulated within “Criminal Minds,” we have a selection for you, and it’s titled “The Timekeeper.”
Do you enjoy literature with captivating storylines, especially those filled with descriptive imagery that pulls you into a relatable, yet unrecognizable scenario? Then, you’ve come to the right place because the fiction piece “Girls! Girls! Girls!” may be an enjoyable read for you.
The nonfiction selections this year also demonstrate immense talent and contain genuinely intriguing storylines — some were emotional, some captured your attention immediately, and one in particular discussed the life of a crustacean.
One standout nonfiction selection takes readers through a journey of choices and possibilities in a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure narrative structure—one we wholeheartedly recommend you take a browse through.
KLIO 2022 received an array of poetry that stood out beyond the rest. From a heartfelt poem about one’s father to a piece highlighting the rejuvenating nature of the morning hours and another emphasizing the transformative nature of a butterfly, our staff chose works to draw on readers’ emotions and leave a lasting impact on one’s mind.
In terms of visual media, the art committee received a variety of submissions this year that showcase the unique visions and perspectives within our Penn State community. You’ll see works capturing the essence of nature, such as the piece titled “Roses,” as well as portraits focusing on mental health scenarios, like the cover photo “Dissociation.” There’s truly a piece for every audience.
The same thing could be said about the music selections showcased this year. Make sure to check out our Spotify and SoundCloud accounts to hear the upbeat music submissions accepted this year.
We hope you enjoy the array of works we’ve curated for KLIO 2022 and take the time to appreciate the artistic talent within the Penn State community.
Acknowledgments:
For the glory of those who create, we showcase the artists at Penn State.
KLIO will forever be a place of never-ending creativity.
We would like to dedicate this edition of KLIO to the creators, the makers, the dreamers, and the trendsetters. To those of you who put your heart and soul into making artistic masterpieces for KLIO 2022—works that we now get to showcase, view and cherish indefinitely—we want you to know that appreciate the opportunity you’ve given us, the opportunity to see a small piece of your soul in the artwork and literary pieces displayed today.
For those of you who have followed our publication for years, we appreciate you and your consistent support for the creatives in Happy Valley and the surrounding Penn State branch campuses.
To our new friends, those of you who came across our organization while scrolling through social media or texting a friend on a random Tuesday night, we welcome you to the world of imagination and artistic talent. The Penn State family houses artistic genius in all forms, and our creative arts journal was lucky enough to capture it and share the collective masterpieces with all of you.
Julia Mertes
Editor-in-Chief
KLIO 2022