“Aerie Literary Voices 2025”: Making “a Masterpiece”
January 9, 2025
In the preface of the newly released publication of Aerie Literary Voices, Editor-in-Chief Seoyon K. ’25 references the following quote by author Stephen King, “To write is human. To edit is divine.” As Seoyon goes on to explain, “What truly distinguishes every student who contributed to ALV 2025 is their courage. To write is one thing—to turn your writing over to the trials of editing, even simply overcoming the fear of confronting your own work once more…To be able to say of your own work, with unwavering intent and indomitable spirit, this could be something beautiful, is miraculous.”
“Aerie Literary Voices 2025” is the sixth annual (and most extensive!) publication of the ALV writing program at Wheeler. Aerie Writer-in-Residence Robert Koppel appropriately describes the book as a “683-page bulldog edition with exceptional poems, short stories, flash fiction, memoir, and novel excerpts, all written by student writers whose subjects and themes are rich and varied, exploring questions of life and death, identity, race, gender, and sexuality; and on the lighter side, the complexity and complications of everyday teenage existence. There is also the requisite sci-fi, fraught with all manner of fantastic creatures, many lurking just around the next corner, all written for our readers’ pleasure.”
Aerie Director Mark Harris P’08, P’24 says, “This year’s ALV volume is impressive on so many levels. The sheer number of contributors, the breadth of genres, and the amazing quality across the board: This work AMAZES!” This sentiment is echoed by ALV Art Director Marion C. ’26, who shares, “It is truly a masterpiece and one of the best compilations of high school literature I have ever read or may ever come across again. Readers can expect to experience a wide range of emotions while reading the stories. Some are funny and others are sad, while others can be sentimental, creepy, or surprising. Overall, readers should look forward to discovering something new!”
Julia Y. ’26, one of ALV’s executive editors, says the edition serves as a testament to the dedication, artistry, and passion within the ALV program, and she’s grateful to be part of its community. “It is one that honors the power of storytelling as a vehicle for expression, community building, and understanding,” she notes while adding her appreciation for the work of ALV illustrators. “It was particularly memorable to forge new connections with our talented illustrators and see the visuals accompanying my piece so beautifully.”
Another ALV executive editor, Robin L. ’26, says the ALV 2025 edition is magnificent! “From our strong poetry section to our humorous, dramatic writing, this collection kept me on my toes. We should be truly proud to have created such a work of art. A big thanks is owed to our diligent writers, but an even larger thanks goes to Mr. Koppel for his genuine care for the craft and his even more genuine care for his students. These works could not have been what they were without his careful editing and talented eye. Thank you for producing yet another masterpiece!”
This year’s literary journal represents the 14th publication by Aerie Literary Press. Aerie Literary Voices has been a unique resource for our student writers since its founding in 2017 by Mr. Koppel and has grown organically as part of Wheeler’s Aerie Enrichment Program. ALV’s student writers have won over 100 literary awards since 2022—virtually every prize given for writing at the high school level. Through an intensive, highly focused, skills-oriented approach, the ALV program is committed to making Wheeler one of the nation’s premier writing schools, where students hone their craft in poetry, fiction, and drama in a dedicated, college-like setting.
Congratulations to Mr. Koppel and the entire Aerie Literary Voices team!
You can read the digital version of Aerie Literary Voices 2025.
