We are an annual journal of art and literature published by the University of California Santa Barbara's College of Creative Studies, founded in 1957 by Marvin Mudrick. Our mission is to publish a spectrum of voices, genres, and topics in each issue that encompass a wide range of human experiences. We value high quality work that doesn't fit in anywhere else--strange, brilliant, or funny pieces that make us come back again and again.

Spectrum has a storied history — in our sixty plus years, we’ve published works by people like William Carlos Williams and Raymond Carver. But we’re always looking for up-and-coming writers and artists and love being the first place to publish new voices.

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Spectrum relies on an amazing and dedicated team of UCSB students, from both CCS and outside of the college.

Learn more about our editorial team here.

Letters
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FAQs

Wondering if you can submit multiple genres to Spectrum or if we accept simultaneous submissions? Or just curious where our name came from?

Read answers to frequently asked questions about Spectrum.

Students

Are you a UC Santa Barbara student? Do you like reading weird and offbeat prose and poetry and/or have strong opinions about contemporary literature?

Learn more about joining Spectrum as an editorial reader.

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Contact Us

Please email us at ccs-spectrum@ucsb.edu to ask us any questions, withdraw a piece, or just say hi!

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