High Life A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : Publication Boosts Talents, Literally Speaking

“These pages will enlighten, anger, confuse and frustrate, but most importantly, they will force their readers to think--to think for themselves, not our thoughts or those of the majority or even those electronic signals sent into their houses every night, but to create their own thoughts.”

Written by Tim Galvin, a senior at El Dorado High School in Placentia, the previous words sum up Monovelotony, a literary publication from Planet Earth Productions.

The purpose of Monovelotony is “to create a forum for the literary talents of young writers,” said Galvin who, along with fellow seniors Gavin Carlton, Steven Dawson and Jonathan Klein, created and operate Planet Earth Productions. The company, which was named after a globe in Klein’s bedroom, has been responsible for full-length movies, documentaries, music recording and publications--such as Monovelotony--that feature student work. (has the company been in effect as long as the magazine, 10 months?)

While Galvin and Carlton have concentrated on film and video production, Klein and Dawson are working on Novel Monotony Press, the literary division of P.E.P. responsible for Monovelotony.

“We want to hear from everyone, especially if you stick out,” Dawson said. “We want the provocative. It’s easy to fall prey to the mundane. To be different, to push the boundaries just a little bit farther back, that takes strength.”

Ten monthly issues of Monovelotony have been published, with articles ranging from political commentary to abstract treatises on the bizarre.

“Monovelotony gives me a certain satisfaction,” Klein said. “When I write, I feel as if I’m doing something real. I think about my audience--the people or person for whom I am writing--and I wonder if what I say will make a difference.”

Monovelotony is available by subscription. For the first 10 issues send $7 to Planet Earth Productions, 314 Purdy Ave., Placentia, Calif., 92670.