This edition of From Our Eyes features Selah Sanchez (’27 Creative Writing, CCI minor) Editor-in-Chief of Ouroboros, a student publication that provides an outlet for artists, writers, and creators who push the bounds of reality and imagination. Ouroboros recently launched its ninth issue with a celebration which Sanchez hosted. In her reflections  she paints a picture of the night and talks about her passion for publication. 

As cliche as it might be, I believe art unites people. A story– whether to live it, read it, or write it– is in all, a very real experience, and to engage with and share it is empowering. Recently, I had the pleasure of hosting the launch party for the ninth issue of Ouroboros, Chapman’s speculative fiction magazine. I got to see that uniting in action.

This semester harbored many ‘firsts’ for Ouroboros. It was the first time we’ve ever had a contributor’s work on the cover, courtesy of Arianna Tan (‘27 A/VFX ‘27). It was the first time editing the magazine for many of our new members. It was also the first time I oversaw the release of an issue as Editor-in-Chief. Just last fall, I attended one of these parties as a contributor, and it’s incredible to see how the magazine has grown in a year.

The night of the launch, the room twinkled with green fairy lights and iridescent tablecloths, on which rested fresh flowers, plastic snakes, mint green books, and tote bags hand-stenciled by members of the team. It evokes a feeling that managing editor Lauren Sieberg (‘25 English/Creative Writing MFA) describes as “an indescribable, contagious feeling that permeates the space.”

On the walls hung posters designed by our team, inspired by some of the stories and poetry in the issue. The room was loud with the conversations of students, faculty, alumni, and even former members of the Ouroboros board. Eventually, when the live readings started, attendees heard the issue through the voices of the people who dreamed them up.

“It’s really nice getting to hear the other contributors read their stories, hearing them breathe life into their stories,” said Andy Le (‘27 Creative Writing), who attended the launch party and has contributed to issues nine and eight. “I also just enjoy going around and chatting with other creative people.” 

Indeed, the launch party is more than a celebration of the release. It’s an opportunity to socialize with fellow creatives on campus, especially those who enjoy creating within fantasy, science fiction, the supernatural, and the adjacent. It warmed my heart to see so many people sharing in the joy of speculative writing– that creates new worlds and flirts with the fantastical, waltzes with the wondrous.

Sieberg agrees, “Having been involved with the magazine since its inception in 2020, it’s always been incredibly special to provide a space for speculative fiction publications… academia does not always honor genre fiction, and as such, it is always our honor to show this valid form of artistic expression the respect and care it deserves.”

Spring 2025 marks our 10th issue. We hope to host more events of a collaborative nature, especially with the other student magazines on campus, and release our narrative podcast Ouroboros Out Loud, which is currently accepting flash fiction submissions. Of course, main issue submissions will be open as well. In many ways, working on Ouroboros is ironically very cyclical. Another semester, another issue, another launch party, and another open application season. And yet, for me at least, it’s never boring. How can it be, with the team I have, and each round of submissions so uniquely crafted?

As Sieberg says, “It’s bittersweet to leave the magazine behind when I graduate in the spring, but all in all, the strongest feeling I’m left with is pride: in our past, our present, and whatever we’ll have transformed into in the future.”