A Multicultural and Interdisciplinary Publication of
the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Foundation

 

In the cross timbers region the hardwood forest merges with the Great Plains. In this band running down the middle of the United States, flora and fauna of both areas can be found in surprising proximity. Only a few feet from tall bluestem grass are members of the orchid family. Dark oak trees with mossy bark flourish over prickly pear. Unlike that abrupt change where the last of the trees disappear as the mountains rise beyond where things will grow, the cross timbers is often mile upon mile of alternating woodland and grassland terrain. But the region is not limited to these natural phenomena.

Throughout history the cultural development of any such area will reflect both environments. In Oklahoma the mixture is peculiarly rich in that Native Americans from the eastern United States were forcibly relocated to what was then called Indian Territory while native tribes of the northern plains were pushed southward by the destruction of the buffalo herds which had sustained them. Black slaves, now freed, found their way westward in hopes of finding freedomto build for themselves a place in the sun. Then, at the opening of the twentieth century, a European-based culture with its newly created upheavals of steel age technology came thundering down the plains. In the last third of the century, people from Asia began to form substantial communities in the urban areas, and Mexicans and Mexican-Americans became an increasing factor in the work force. Both groups have brought new cultural challenges to enhance the already complex society. This publication focuses, not on each group, but on the relatedness of these groups, one to the other. A full range of academic disciplines explores the complex formation of the separate yet interrelated units in the region. At times there is the hostility of competitive forces, whether in nature where the protective shelter of the smaller creatures is destroyed by wanton herds, where exotic plants crowd out the native species, or in human culture where the remains of traditions struggle against the overwhelming odds of modern life. At times there is pain, suffering, and the loss of that which is good; at other times there is a harmonious balance that causes rejoicing even among the most cynical.

Writers interested in having their poems, articles, or fiction published in CROSSTIMBERS should contact the appropriate editor.

CROSSTIMBERS, a Multicultural and Interdisciplinary Journal, invites scholarly and creative submissions for Volume 12.1 (Spring/Summer 2012), to be published in August 2012.

The editors of CROSSTIMBERS encourage submission of manuscripts from a broad spectrum of disciplinary perspectives (such as anthropology, economics, ecology, folklore, geography, geology, history, literature, music, and political science), as well as interdisciplinary approaches. While our primary focus is regional we also accept essays and articles with international and global themes. In addition, we are interested in high-quality short stories, poems, plays, and works of creative nonfiction, along with visual art. Authors whose work we publish retain copyright to their work.

To be considered for Volume 12.1 with a general theme of"BEAUTY," manuscripts must be e-mailed or postmarked by June 20, 2012.

Electronic submissions are preferred and may be sent as Word attachments to the appropriate editor or Editor in Chief Ingrid Shafer, ihs@ionet.net. Queries may also be sent to this address. Hard copy manuscripts will be recycled rather than returned. If you have no e-mail address, please include
a stamped, self-addressed envelope for reply.

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSIONS

CROSSTIMBERS is primarily a literary magazine rather than an academic journal. We look for articles free of discipline-specific jargon and extensive scholarly apparatus. Any appropriate and internally consistent documentation style is acceptable.

Articles, essays, short stories, and mini-plays should not exceed 5000 words. Poems may range in style from formal to free verse.

Creative work may be submitted simultaneously if the fact is noted at the time of submission.

For visual art we seek images (photography, paintings, ink drawings, computer art, etc.). Most images will be rendered in grayscale, but a few may be chosen for color reproduction. Images should be sent electronically as a JPG, PNG, or TIF file.

Please, read the online editions of previous issues to become familiar with our magazine. These issues may be found at:
http://www.usao.edu/crosstimbers/ or http://projects.usao.edu/crosstimbers/

 

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PRODUCTION
Layout: Ingrid Shafer (ihs@ionet.net)
Circulation: Rob Vollmar (rvollmar@usao.edu)
Publisher: USAO Foundation, Michael Nealeigh, Executive Director.

USAO complies fully with Section 3-1114 of Title 65 of the Oklahoma Statutes. This publication, printed by the Mercury Press, Oklahoma City, is issued by the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Foundation, Inc. as authorized by the Foundation Board of Directors. A total of 2400 copies of each issue is prepared through financial support from private donors. Copies have been deposited with the Publication Clearinghouse of the Oklahoma department of Libraries and the Congressional Library. Rights to all materials appearing in CROSSTIMBERS remain with the author, artist, or source. The USAO Foundation may be contacted online at usaofoundation.org. The editors may be contacted at 1727 W. Alabama, Chickasha, Oklahoma 73018-5322. Phone 405 274-6547 (cell), Fax 405 574-1220, or at ihs@ionet.net. Issue Price—$5.00. Subscription, 2 years (4 issues) $15.00. Last revised 10 April 2012 by ihs.