To put together this year's edition, the staff of Kalliope decided to take a different approach selecting pieces for the literary magazine.

Instead of just a read-then-vote process, the staff took a roundtable method in picking from more than 250 submissions to the magazine.

"We had the readers and coordinators discuss the pieces as opposed to just reading them silently and voting," said Janelle Wheel (sophomore-English, French and international studies), president of the club and one of the magazine's editors.

Kalliope is an undergraduate literary magazine sponsored by Penn State's English Department. It will have its annual release reception at 7 tonight in the Waring study lounge.

Kalliope features fiction, non-fiction and poetry pieces from the undergraduate writing community.

In addition, it publishes student artwork and photography. An all-student staff produces the literary magazine.

Brooke Rappaport, an editor, said the magazine is not limited to student writers majoring in English or literature.

"We want the magazine to reflect the best work at Penn State," Rappaport (sophomore-English and comparative literature) said.

Tonight's event will have an open-mic segment for contributing writers to read their works. In addition, some of the original artwork featured in the magazine will be on display.

Guest speaker Ryan Teitman, Class of 2004, will also read some of his poetry at the event and talk briefly about getting published.

Sheila Squillante, a senior lecturer in English and the magazine's faculty adviser, agreed Kalliope is a first step for students looking to get published.

"Kalliope gives students that wonderful exhilaration of seeing your first piece of writing published," she said. "It's a stunning magazine that showcases undergraduate creative talent here at Penn State and it continues to be terrific every year."