ENGL 499: Writ in Water students share their creative work to peers, staff, and faculty at the Wrigley Marine Science Center to culminate the Julymester program (Anya Jiménez/USC Wrigley Institute).

Wrigley Institute Julymester creative writing students publish nature-inspired anthology of poems

ByUSC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability

After a month of living and learning at the Wrigley Marine Science Center as part of the Catalina Residential College Julymester, students enrolled in ENGL 499: Writ in Water concluded their creative writing course by publishing “Picking at the Glue of the Universe,” an anthology featuring their work from the summer. ⁠

The course, taught by Instructor Katherine Ogle, immersed students in the environment and history of Catalina Island. Students walked away with a deeper understanding of how their words can shed light on important issues, spark connection, and inspire action for our planet.

Contributing Authors: 

Natalie Heller, Joseph Hermenegildo, Amara Mathew, Alison Moore, Gia Mulheren, Keira Norrell, Akpezi Ogbaudu, Marina Parker, Simone Wesley, Hanwen Zhang

As you read these poems, take the time to immerse yourself. You will be guided through spines of an urchin, mountains of bison skulls, and initials of lovers carved in ramadas–from the edge of the Earth to the rings of Saturn, from the peaks of Upper Ballast to the depths of the Pacific. 

View the publication below.