Hard Freight is Penn State Altoona's literary arts magazine, combining the best student writing in nonfiction, fiction, and poetry, with stunning visual art. The magazine's name refers to Altoona's long history with the railroad industry and its culture. Hard Freight is edited and produced by Penn State Altoona students, and students may register for English 209 to receive credit for this experience. Interested in submitting your work, visit our submissions page.
Hard Freight Open Mic Café
In addition to our online magazine, an open mic Hard Freight Café is held once a semester. The event, which is open to the campus and community, provides students with an opportunity to showcase their writing, music, and other performances. Dates will be announced in advance.
More than 100 people attended the fall 2022 Hard Freight Café open mic event on Tuesday, November 29, in the Titelman Study of the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts. Students and faculty performed music and shared poems, stories, and essays. Kicking off the evening was a reading by Yaw Agawu-Kakraba, professor of Spanish and African Studies, who read from his debut novel, The Restless Crucible. The event was sponsored by Hard Freight, Penn State Altoona's student literary arts magazine.