The English Department hosts first inaugural Tales from the Crypt
The Sigma Tau Delta English Honors Society and Snow Island Review donned Halloween costumes, carrying in bucket-loads of candy for their first inaugural “Tales from the Crypt” spooky literary event at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 26, at the Founders Hall fountain.
“We put together an idea for students to read their own work or read horror stories or bits of horror fiction that’s inspired them or moved them or they would want to share during the spooky season,” Adam Houle, assistant professor of English and a faculty advisor for Sigma Tau Alpha, said.
At the beginning of the semester, when planning events, Chelsea Taylor, senior English major and President of Sigma Tau Delta, talked to the other members of the society and took polls from the students to see what kind of events they would want for the spooky season.
Once the students inputted their two cents, Taylor and Sigma Tau Alpha collaborated with the Snow Island Review literary magazine to create the idea of “Tales from the Crypt.”
“We just generated ideas and what students would want to see with a Halloween event while keeping in mind what we want to do with literature and writing,” Taylor said. “We worked with Snow Island Review to do that. We got both organizations together, asked what they could do, and everyone contributed a little bit to get the biggest turnout.”
At least thirty people showed up for the event, most in Halloween costumes, and sat down at the decorated table to view the performance. Large candles, candy and Halloween decorations littered the area, all intentionally placed to create an eerie atmosphere.
Megan Woosley-Goodman, a faculty advisor for Sigma Tau Delta, was one of the main contributors to the event and said she was happy they were finally able to hold an in-person event since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. She wanted to be able to provide an encouraging environment for her students to share their creativity.
“It’s a way to provide a community,” Woosley-Goodman said. “We’ve been so disconnected the last couple years, we’ve been unable to have an event in person for the past two and a half years. This is a way for us to gather safely outside and share our love for Halloween and literature. It’s all about community, fun and mischief.”
Landon Houle, head of the Snow Island Review and assistant professor of English, wanted to help respond to the students’ desire for a Halloween literature event. Houle also wanted to help gain awareness for the literary magazine.
“We’re hoping to spark interest in the journal and show people we are out there,” Houle said. “We want to tell them about who we are and what we do, and get the word out there that they can participate and have fun and get some good experience in editing and publishing.”
If students are interested in the Snow Island Review’s literary magazine, they can contact Houle at lhoule@fmarion.edu or look at the FMU website for more information.