The Traveler is a student creative arts magazine produced annually by the English and Art Departments of Glendale Community College since 1968. These stories, poems, creative non-fiction and artwork are created by GCC’s multi-talented student body.

The Traveler is currently CLOSED for submissions. They will reopen again in Fall 2026!

Publication in the Traveler is decided by GCC staff judges that are experts in their respective fields. Submissions are accepted every Fall. Fiction and One-Act Plays/Scripts (Drama) are limited to 3000 words. Creative Nonfiction entries are limited to 2000 words. Up to three pieces of poetry or artwork can be submitted–with poems not exceeding 67 lines.

Those responsible for this publication believe in artistic freedom of expression. Therefore, we have not censored the contents of The Traveler. We realize, however, it is important that the readers of The Traveler be aware that it contains some content of an adult nature.

Traveler Selections for 2025-2026

Creative Nonfiction

• 1st Place: A Day Like All Days, by Alex Areno
• 2nd Place: Raw Denim, by Ashley Lowell
• 3rd Place: The Desert Botanical Garden, by Joselyn Maria Lopez

Poetry

• 1st Place: Once You Stop This Car, by Adrian Castillo
• 2nd Place: Crossing the Finish Line, by Rogelio S. Aguayo
• 3rd Place: Other Men’s Thoughts, by Rogelio S. Aguayo
• Honorable Mention: Heavenly Birthday, by Gina Guerin

Fiction

• 1st Place: The Last Sonatas, by Alex Areno
• 2nd Place: There’s No Place Like Hell for the Holidays, by Liesl Meador
• 3rd Place: The Master, the Sword, and the Lord, by Sandal Spiller
• Honorable Mention: Teeth Like Thorns, by Ashley Lowell

One-Act Play/Drama

• 1st Place: 50!, by Walter T. Wimbs Jr.
• 2nd Place: Winter Blues, by Meg Campbell

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Traveler Selections for 2023-2024:

Fiction

• 1st Place: The Assassin, by Bryannah Stevens
• 2nd Place: Inarticulation, by Ashley Lowell
• 3rd Place: Richard Price, by Mary Gross
• Honorable Mention: A Snark Page for Dead Pets, by Mary Gross

Creative Nonfiction

• 1st Place: Five Things You Can See, One Thing I Can’t Say, by Ashley Lowell
• 2nd Place: My Horror Story with a Happy Ending, by Haley Ybarra
• 3rd Place: A Mirror of a Broken Seashell, by Angel Marie Arguello

Poetry

• 1st Place: Now We Know, by Ruth Claire Brown
• 2nd Place: One Time I Rode My Bike at Night, by Ruth Claire Brown
• 3rd Place: My Wife and I Discuss Death While Eating Popcorn on a Tuesday Night and This is Just What We Do Now, by Ruth Claire Brown
• Honorable Mention: I Can’t Do This Anymore, by Adrian Castillo

One-Act Play/Drama

• 1st Place: Silent War, by Angel Marie Arguello

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Traveler Selections for 2023-2024:

Fiction

• 1st Place: Forty-Two Children, by Patrick McCarthy
• 2nd Place: The Confusing First Time, by Lucas Price
• 3rd Place: Hold the Anchovies, Please, by Olin Reams
• Honorable Mention: Too Much Exposition!, by Lucas Price

Creative Nonfiction

• 1st Place: Lively Lifelessness, by Lucas Price
• 2nd Place: When Home Is Home, by Edward Howard Freese

Poetry

• 1st Place: Masked, by Patrick McCarthy
• 2nd Place: Temporary, by Patrick McCarthy
• 3rd Place: And After All, by Amal Emily Zahroon
• Honorable Mention: There Are No Mandatory Minimums Here, by Edward Howard Freese
• Honorable Mention: Girls Turn to Monsters, by Amal Emily Zahroon

One-Act Play/Drama

• 1st Place: Messages of Atonement, by Sarah Dahdal
• 2nd Place: Chinchilla, by Adrian Castillo
• 3rd Place: Randall’s Birthday, by Brigham Rhett Larson

Jeff Baker is the GCC CRW coordinator for The Traveler. Feel free to contact him with any questions at jeffrey.baker@gccaz.edu.