Concordia University Chicago’s commitment to student creativity and professional development is taking center stage in an exciting new literary project. Over the past year, Anton Jones, Assistant Professor of English, English Department Program Lead and Editor of Caesura: A Journal for Young Writers, has been working on his fantasy novel The March of the Blood-Red King, set to be published with Page + Plot Press this November.

What makes this project unique is the deep involvement of CUC students and alumni at nearly every stage of production. From illustration and cover art to beta reading and even potential voice acting for the forthcoming audiobook, students have had the opportunity to contribute their talents in ways that mirror the professional publishing process. Many of these contributions also came with financial awards—an added incentive that highlights the tangible value of creative work.

“I wanted to make this process as inclusive for our students as possible—not just for industry experience, but also to give them opportunities to improve their own craft,” Jones shared. “It’s a chance to show how humanities programs can prepare students for real-world opportunities while celebrating their creativity.”

Cover Art Competition Showcases Student Talent

With the support of faculty members Nikkole Huss and Angela Dieffenbach, Jones launched a cover art competition for students and alumni. Models Rayna Wangler and Dominick Jolly posed for reference photos, captured by Nathaniel Clayton, which participating artists then used to design their submissions.

The competition drew an impressive range of entries from:

  • Meghan Cummings

  • Patryk Dabrowski

  • Ronnalynn Fleming

  • William C. Foellmer

  • Cesar Hernandez Gonzalez

  • Joshua McCoy

  • Guadalupe Patino

  • Danna Penaloza

  • Jazmine Pittman

  • Annika Wassilak

  • Alexis Wommack

After careful consideration, Caleb Egland was selected as the winner and awarded one of two $450 prizes.

A Pathway for Creative Students

Jones hopes the collaborative spirit behind The March of the Blood-Red King will inspire future students to pursue similar opportunities. By showcasing student work in a professional publication, the project challenges stereotypes about the humanities and demonstrates how creative degrees can lead to meaningful, real-world accomplishments.

“This is about more than just one book,” Jones noted. “It’s about giving our students experiences that prepare them for careers, while also proving that the humanities are alive with possibilities.”

The March of the Blood-Red King is slated for release in November 2025. With student artwork, alumni contributions, and CUC faculty guidance shaping its pages, the novel is as much a community achievement as it is a personal milestone for its author.