by Kaylie Yaceczko
From literary societies to newspapers, we have seen The University of Akron act as a beacon for literary appreciation in the late nineteenth century. As time went on and organizations came and went, students found new ways to express their creativity. Students were able to publish their work in The Buchtelite and in annuals like The Argo and The Buchtel; however, there wasn’t a specific place for students to go just for creative writing, at least until 1924.
The Acheronic was the first University of Akron literary magazine, and the first editorial board consisted of students appointed by faculty members. In the first edition, the editors made a note of why they chose the name Acheronic—referencing a river in hell—over other suggestions such as Akerolite, Akropolic, The Blotter, and Spilt Ink, which was because of a pun made by Judge Calvin Pease when the city would founded (Ach-e-ron=Akron!). According to The Buchtelite, the journal sold over four hundred copies in its first two days, causing an additional one hundred copies to be printed. During its time, The Acheronic was published twice a semester and annual subscriptions cost one dollar or thirty-five cents per copy.
The journal was open to publish works of poetry, fiction, editorials, and even books reviews by University of Akron students, though some contributions were made by alumni and faculty, and the covers were often designed by students as well. While some poetry had more of a campus focus as seen in the University’s yearbooks, poems in The Acheronic began to move toward more personal subjects like love and self-reflection. The Buchtelite also mentioned how the literary magazine planned to make each issue dedicated to a different type of literature. In one note from the editorial board, it was mentioned how not enough students were writing and reading the journal, even with its initial success. What the journal was able to accomplish was once again proving at literary passion at The University of Akron.