News | ECTC

Community

A Brief History

By Laurie MacKeller

Professor Mick Kennedy joined ECTC in 1999 to teach and advise the college's journal, then called ECCO His enthusiasm for poetry readings and literary events sparked my involvement from 2000 to 2009, and I joined the bimonthly writers' group he created, despite initially not writing poetry. With his support, I wrote my first poem, and the group became a regular part of my life, meeting at various locations and enjoying both social and serious literary discussions.

Kennedy also organized monthly poetry readings, inviting notable writers like Kentucky Poets Laureate Richard Taylor, Joe Survant, and others. He was instrumental in revamping the college’s literary journal by renaming it the Heartland Review and making it a nationally recognized journal. He organized a contest to promote the journal, named in honor of Joy Bale Boone, and I participated in the reading and ranking of submissions.

His efforts helped bring in submissions from across the U.S. and abroad, significantly raising the journal's profile.

News

March 2025

Here's a summary of FY23-24 July to July:

  • Read over 500 total poems inc JBB and the open call, 110 pieces of fiction, 100 pieces of creative nonfiction = 710 + pieces of work read
  • Staff of 10 regular volunteers
  • Printed 2 anthologies (fall and spring)
  • The Spring '24 edition was the first ebook.
  • Received entries from 27 different states and 20 countries
  • Joy Bale Boone is the only contest with a fee; others are still free.

Shout Outs

Special Thanks to

Larry Reid for introducing us at his art class!

our new sponsor! The Fleck Law Firm

Fleck Law Firm