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Applause Mission Statement

Here at Applause, our mission is to empower and embolden aspiring writers. We are an international undergraduate magazine seeking to uplift and amplify the voices of those writers across the country and around the globe. In both what we publish and how we communicate with our authors, we strive to be inclusive, accepting, and above all else, kind. Whether you have dozens of published works or none at all, we are here to help you share your writing with the world, and to celebrate and applaud you.

History

black and white background of the Bell Tower at the University of Arkansas Fort - Smith.


Applause is an award-winning, student-run literary journal founded in 1980 within the English Department at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith (UAFS).

Over its four-decade history, Applause has published poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and visual art. As a proud member of the Southern Literary Festival Association (SLFA), Applause has built a reputation for fostering excellence and has traditionally released its annual issue each spring. In 2021, Applause underwent a significant transformation, shifting from a publication dedicated solely to UAFS students to an international literary journal spotlighting the best undergraduate writing from around the world. This pivot not only expanded our reach but also enriched the experiences and professionalization opportunities for our student staff.