Meet Emily Joshu! Her memoir “Three” was published in vol. 11 of LOGOS. Emily now works as an editorial intern for Special Interest Media where she writes, edits, and fact checks for publications such as TIME, Life, EatingWell, and Parents.

Briefly describe the subject and theme(s) of your submission. Why did you select this subject?

“Three” is a personal memoir set over the course of the first semester of my freshman year at Missouri State, after I had been diagnosed with an epidermoid brain tumor, a slow-growing benign cyst against my brain stem that I was born with. The piece explores how it felt to undergo three surgeries and the intense recovery while starting college 200 miles away from everything I knew.

I wanted to write about this to help deal with the impact the diagnosis still has on me, while giving myself a challenge. I have tried to write this story more than once, but I was determined to get it right, no matter how much rewriting it took

What motivated you to submit your work to LOGOS?

I was the copy editor, social marketing editor, and a peer reviewer for LOGOS while I was working on the first draft of “Three,” originally for my senior seminar in English. Reading content for the previous volume and promoting the upcoming volume showed me how varied and high-quality the selection in LOGOS is, and it made me want to be a part of such a talented community of students. And I was preparing to graduate and move to New York, so I wanted to make my mark in a publication that meant so much to me before embarking on a new path.

Is this the first time your work has been published?

I have published work in a literary journal and several works in newspapers (during college) and special editions of magazines (also called special interest projects, or “bookazines,”) but this was the first time I have been published in an academic journal.

How often do you submit your work for publication? Do you intend to submit your work again sometime soon?

I submit journalistic work regularly for my job (I’m the editorial intern for Special Interest Media, a division of Meredith Corporation, where I write, edit, and factcheck) for brands such as TIME, Life, EatingWell, and Parents, but submitting a memoir was refreshing and a great change of pace. I do intend to submit work on a regular basis, but I would like to work on more creative pieces like this and submit to journals more.

How do you hope your work will impact its respective field? In other words, how do you want your readers to reflect on what you’ve written?

I hope this piece helps other nonfiction writers know that their stories and experiences are valuable, and this kind of storytelling really does resonate with more people than you think it does.

How do you hope to benefit as a published author? Do you anticipate this accomplishment will assist you along your career path?

It actually already has assisted my career path! To get my job, I had to submit a variety of clips to be evaluated by the editors and editorial director, and I included “Three” to show a different, more personal voice that my other clips didn’t have. It was a risk because I had no clue if they would appreciate content that was more unconventional, but I certainly credit this LOGOS publication for helping me break into national media as both a credited writer and editor. Beyond the day-to-day, I also hope being published in LOGOS helps diversify my portfolio and opens doors to a more varied range of publications.

How has this experience changed your perception of yourself and your writing?

It has showed me that I can tell this story and come away with a sense of strength rather than vulnerability. I have spent so long telling other people’s stories, both as a journalist and a creative writing major, so while this piece was a challenge that required me to find takeaways that resonate with readers rather than dwell on self-pity, it was an exercise in a new kind of storytelling. As result, it was also a necessary step to healing.

Would you encourage your colleagues to submit to LOGOS? Why or why not?

I would absolutely encourage my colleagues to submit to LOGOS! It’s not only a fantastic opportunity to represent your university, but it is a growth opportunity, no matter what your field is. From scientific research to historical analysis to literary criticism and creative expression, your work has a place in LOGOS, and being published in a respected journal so early in your career can only be beneficial.