Commonplace:

A Journal of the Catherine Project

ABOUT

Commonplace is a journal maintained by volunteers from the Catherine Project’s community of learners under the supervision of the executive director. It’s purpose is twofold:
  1. To serve the Catherine Project community as an organ of communication and means of sharing writing informed or inspired by the Project’s core activity of reading and discussing great books.
  1. To serve as a means of advertising the existence and activities of the Catherine Project and inviting readers who are unfamiliar with the the Project to join our community of learning.
The journal is titled Commonplace because that’s what it is: a place or space we have in common. The word “commonplace” might also be used to describe the activity of our community: what we’re doing is rare these days, but it’s not original. Human beings throughout history have gathered informally to read, think, and learn together. We think learning for learning’s sake should be ordinary and shared among people of different ages, occupations, and educational backgrounds.

We aim to publish Commonplace twice a year, depending on volunteer availability. If you would like to join the editorial team that maintains the journal, write to volunteer@catherineproject.org.

Submissions
Commonplace welcomes submissions from readers and friends of the Catherine Project. We publish writing and, occasionally, visual art that reflect the Catherine Project’s guiding principles, especially:
  • A great book invites the reader in as an equal.
  • No question is too simple or elemental.
  • The contemplative life is richer when it is shared.
We encourage written reflections on and close readings of great books (for a complete list of books that have been read in Catherine Project groups since the Project began, follow this link). In accordance with our principle of hospitality, writing should be welcoming and accessible to a reader who is unfamiliar with the subjects or texts being discussed. Footnotes other than citations should be kept to a minimum. The submission deadline for the second issue is May 15th. We will continue to review submissions sent after the deadline, but cannot guarantee that they will be considered for the second issue.
 
Written work should be sent as a .docx file and should be no more than 2,000 words in length. Visual art should be sent as a PNG file.
 
Submissions, inquiries, and pitches should be addressed to commonplace@catherineproject.org.

ISSUES*

*Commonplace is meant to be shared. In addition to sharing issues digitally, we encourage readers to print out copies and leave them in local libraries, bookstores, coffee shops, etc. Use the following directions to print at home and assemble:

  1. Download the PDF and print using the following settings:
    • Portrait orientation
    • Color or Black & White (as desired)
  2. Apply 3 staples 1/4″ from the left edge of the printed document
Contact Us
Have Questions? Contact Us!
CONTACT US

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info@catherineproject.org | (443) 808-0881 | 2631 Housley Road, Box 1006, Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Catherine Project, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of Maryland. A copy of our current financial statement is available by writing to Catherine Project, 2631 Housley Road, Box 1006, Annapolis, MD 21401 or by calling (443) 808-0881. Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Maryland Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 or by calling (410) 974-5534.