Kennings was founded at Hanover College in 1941 as Hill Thoughts. Today, our mission is to seek out intriguing, heartwarming, and engaging work. We serve the literary and art community of Kentuckiana and the wider world. Kennings publishes a print edition annually, online honorable mentions, contest winners, podcasts, videos, and more. Soon, a read-aloud and discussion podcast to honor our roots – Kennings: Hill Thoughts – will be available.
We accept emotive works of fiction that bring tears to the eye, rage and sorrow-infused poetry that pushes our souls, and artwork that leaves us breathless. We gladly advocate for work that inspires us to be better human beings and artists. Kennings will not accept submissions that reinforce harmful ideologies such as racism, sexism, and homophobia. We use a blind submission process. So, submit boldly and fear not our judgment; intrigue, inspire, and engage us!
Editorial Board: The folks that Help Kennings Happen
Editor in Chief
Assistant Editor in Chief
Co-Editor in Chief
Lexi Traylor (she/her)
Class of 2025
Lexi is a senior at Hanover College, double majoring in English and Communication. She is a lifelong reader and loves to dabble in creative writing. Lexi hopes to work in the editorial and publishing field, hence feeling perfectly at home at the Kennings Journal. At nearly any given moment, you can find
Lexi Traylor (she/her)
Class of 2025
Lexi is a senior at Hanover College, double majoring in English and Communication. She is a lifelong reader and loves to dabble in creative writing. Lexi hopes to work in the editorial and publishing field, hence feeling perfectly at home at the Kennings Journal. At nearly any given moment, you can find Lexi studying, sipping on coffee, and snuggling with her beloved cat, Penny.
Co-Editor in Chief
Assistant Editor in Chief
Co-Editor in Chief
Allison Jones (she/her)
Class of 2025
Allison is a senior at Hanover College studying Creative Writing with a minor in Latin. She has designed her own major in Creative Writing with a focus in Gender and Sexuality. She is a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority and can be found with a book in her hand.
Assistant Editor in Chief
Assistant Editor in Chief
Assistant Editor in Chief
Rilee Lonberger (she/her)
Class of 2026
Rilee is a junior at Hanover College who is a major in both English and Environmental Science. When not reading, writing, or attempting to understand her geology homework, she can often be found playing video games in the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority house. She loves to travel, and hopes to explore the wor
Rilee Lonberger (she/her)
Class of 2026
Rilee is a junior at Hanover College who is a major in both English and Environmental Science. When not reading, writing, or attempting to understand her geology homework, she can often be found playing video games in the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority house. She loves to travel, and hopes to explore the world as much as she can. A lover of the weird and wonderful.
Visual Arts Editor
Creative Non-Fiction Editor
Assistant Editor in Chief
Sydney Seigle (she/her)
Class of 2026
Sydney is a junior at Hanover College, majoring in Communication and double-minoring in English and Design. She’s a proud plant mom forever living on caffeine with a bad habit of reading rather than doing homework. Outside academics, you can find Sydney either submerged in a garden center or holed up in
Sydney Seigle (she/her)
Class of 2026
Sydney is a junior at Hanover College, majoring in Communication and double-minoring in English and Design. She’s a proud plant mom forever living on caffeine with a bad habit of reading rather than doing homework. Outside academics, you can find Sydney either submerged in a garden center or holed up in a coffee shop drinking an iced latte, regardless of the season.
Poetry Editor
Creative Non-Fiction Editor
Creative Non-Fiction Editor
Eliza Cox (she/her)
Class of 2026
Eliza is a junior at Hanover College. She is a double major in Creative Writing and Business, and plans to attend law school. She loves to read and write poetry. When she is not studying, you can find her on the lacrosse field, snuggled up with her puppy, or singing all the words to Fergalicious.
Creative Non-Fiction Editor
Creative Non-Fiction Editor
Creative Non-Fiction Editor
Vivian Jacobs (she/her)
Class of 2026
Vivian is a junior at Hanover College, majoring in Communication with a minor in Creative Writing. She enjoys reading, writing, and most of all, watching and analyzing films and television—which she hopes to pursue as a career as a Communication Professor specializing in Rhetorical and Media Criticism.
Vivian Jacobs (she/her)
Class of 2026
Vivian is a junior at Hanover College, majoring in Communication with a minor in Creative Writing. She enjoys reading, writing, and most of all, watching and analyzing films and television—which she hopes to pursue as a career as a Communication Professor specializing in Rhetorical and Media Criticism. A fun fact about Vivian is that she has a tattoo dedicated to Frog and Toad.
Copy Editor / Fiction Staff
Copy Editor / Creative Non-Fiction Staff
Copy Editor / Creative Non-Fiction Staff
Brayden Johnson (he/him)
Class of 2027
Brayden is a 23-year-old sophomore at Hanover College. He grew up in Ethiopia from age 4 until he was 18 years old. He has lived in Hanover since the Spring of 2020, where he currently lives with his family. Brayden enjoys reading and writing, as well as many different genres of music. His favourite au
Brayden Johnson (he/him)
Class of 2027
Brayden is a 23-year-old sophomore at Hanover College. He grew up in Ethiopia from age 4 until he was 18 years old. He has lived in Hanover since the Spring of 2020, where he currently lives with his family. Brayden enjoys reading and writing, as well as many different genres of music. His favourite author is Brandon Sanderson. He enjoys debate and is always looking for the next challenge.
Copy Editor / Creative Non-Fiction Staff
Copy Editor / Creative Non-Fiction Staff
Copy Editor / Creative Non-Fiction Staff
Darby Parker (she/her)
Class of 2027
Darby is a sophomore English major at Hanover College. She absolutely loves reading all kinds of genres as well as writing. Outside of her academics, Darby enjoys listening to music, playing piano, and putting together jigsaw puzzles.
Web & Social Editor / Visual Arts Staff
Copy Editor / Creative Non-Fiction Staff
Web & Social Editor / Visual Arts Staff
Anissa Weber (she/her)
Class of 2025
Anissa is a senior at Hanover College. She is majoring in Political Science and triple minoring in English, Sociology, and German. She is the GRM for Alpha Delta Pi sorority and a captain on the Women's Lacrosse team. If she is not in class or participating in lacrosse, you can find her with a camera in
Anissa Weber (she/her)
Class of 2025
Anissa is a senior at Hanover College. She is majoring in Political Science and triple minoring in English, Sociology, and German. She is the GRM for Alpha Delta Pi sorority and a captain on the Women's Lacrosse team. If she is not in class or participating in lacrosse, you can find her with a camera in her hand all across campus, from athletic events to campus Bingo.
Staff Members
Visual Arts Staff
Visual Arts Staff
Visual Arts Staff
Lillian Kirkpatrick (she/her)
Class of 2028
Lillian is a Freshman at Hanover College, who plans to major in Political Science. She enjoys reading, playing tennis, and watching movies. As an aspiring attorney, Lillian navigates life with both compassion and logic. When Lillian is not at the library, you can find her settled in with popcorn and a new movie.
Fiction Staff
Visual Arts Staff
Visual Arts Staff
Abby Smolnicky (she/her)
Class of 2028
Abigail wants to major in English and have a minor in classical studies and potentially a double major in history! In her time between classes, she loves hanging around campus or relaxing with her roommate playing video games. She wants to use her degree to become an English Professor at a college muc
Abby Smolnicky (she/her)
Class of 2028
Abigail wants to major in English and have a minor in classical studies and potentially a double major in history! In her time between classes, she loves hanging around campus or relaxing with her roommate playing video games. She wants to use her degree to become an English Professor at a college much like Hanover and inspire her students to appreciate the classics, especially concerning Greek literature and mythology. A fun fact about her is that she has a natural white streak in her hair! (not pictured sorry!)
Poetry Staff
Visual Arts Staff
Visual Arts Staff
Addie Dunica (she/her)
Class of 2027
Addie is a 20-year-old Sophomore and is planning to major in Environmental science Major with an English minor. She is one of the poetry staff members for Kennings Literary Journal. She enjoy reading, listening to music, going on hikes, and spending time with her friends and her dog.
Visual Arts Staff
Creative Non-Fiction Staff
Visual Arts Staff
Taylor McNally-Henriksen (she/her)
Class of 2025
Taylor is a Biology major and a English and communication minors. If she isn't camping or reading, she is mostly likely walking and hanging out with her dog Jax. When away from Hanover, she spends her time with her family traveling across North America, to the point she has almost been to all 50 states.
Poetry Staff
Creative Non-Fiction Staff
Creative Non-Fiction Staff
Grace Weber (she/her)
Class of 2027
Grace is majoring in English with plans to be an editor. She is part of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and enjoying hanging out with her sisters and reading. A fun fact about her is that she knows all the words to Ignition (remix) by R. Kelly.
Creative Non-Fiction Staff
Creative Non-Fiction Staff
Creative Non-Fiction Staff
Adrie Hagen (she/her)
Class of 2027
Adrie is a sophomore, class of 2027, majoring in English. She is on the creative nonfiction staff. In her free time, she likes reading, crocheting, and playing with her cat. She would like to go into Law or Editing in the future. A fun fact about her is she still plays Roblox, at her big age.
Fiction Staff
Visual Arts Staff
Visual Arts Staff
Delaney Champine (she/her)
Class of 2026
Delaney a junior and a computer science major. She would like to go into IT after she graduate from Hanover in 2026. She am on fiction staff for Kennings. When she is not in classes, she enjoys spending time with friends, playing ultimate frisbee, and going on hikes.
Visual Arts Staff
Visual Arts Staff
Visual Arts Staff
Marieke Young (she/her)
Class of 2027
Marieke is a second year at Hanover College pursuing a degree in Biology. In her free time, Marieke enjoys painting, reading, and attempting to write. Marieke is inspired by nature, the pursuit of science, and past artists whenever she writes or draws.
Poetry Staff
Visual Arts Staff
Creative Non-Fiction Staff
Allison Russell (she/her)
Class of 2026
Allison is a junior at Hanover College. She is a chemistry major and creative minor. Allison spends her free time reading, writing, and getting coffee with friends. Allison spends much of her time studying and tutoring other students. She plans to pursue a post-baccalaureate education and obtain her P
Allison Russell (she/her)
Class of 2026
Allison is a junior at Hanover College. She is a chemistry major and creative minor. Allison spends her free time reading, writing, and getting coffee with friends. Allison spends much of her time studying and tutoring other students. She plans to pursue a post-baccalaureate education and obtain her PhD in inorganic chemistry. She wants to be a research scientist and study energetic materials. A fun fact about Allison is that she is working on an autobiography and wants to write STEM focused children’s books.
Creative Non-Fiction Staff
Creative Non-Fiction Staff
Creative Non-Fiction Staff
Morgan Williams (she/her)
Class of 2025
Morgan is a psychology major with a communications minor. She spends her free time reading, crocheting, and running. She enjoys editing psychology texts around her three cats named Mike.