Editor Interview: Unlikely Stories Go to the listing List all editor interviews Edit answers (editors only) Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.transgressive art & litJonathan Penton, Editor-in-Chief on 15 June 2019What other current publications (or publishers) do you admire most?Red Fez, New Verse News, Asymptote, and Rigorous: a journal by people of colorJonathan Penton, Editor-in-Chief on 15 June 2019If you publish writing, who are your favorite writers? If you publish art, who are your favorite artists?Walter Mosley, Anne Sexton, Mahmoud Darwish, Larry David Nevil, BanskyJonathan Penton, Editor-in-Chief on 15 June 2019What sets your publication apart from others that publish similar material?We were founded in July 1998 and have been publishing more-or-less continuously. This has given us a great deal of context for experimental, genre-bending, and transgressive work. We publish rolling content, not issues.Jonathan Penton, Editor-in-Chief on 15 June 2019What is the best advice you can give people who are considering submitting work to your publication?Read the guidelines and read some content. It's free. Good advice for any publication, we reckon.Jonathan Penton, Editor-in-Chief on 15 June 2019Describe the ideal submission.The ideal submission can't be pre-determined, because the ideal work is something we've never seen before, something that expands our understanding of what art, literature, or commentary can be.Jonathan Penton, Editor-in-Chief on 15 June 2019What do submitters most often get wrong about your submissions process?We don't sweat the small stuff. Just keep the word count sane. Try not to be rude.Jonathan Penton, Editor-in-Chief on 15 June 2019How much do you want to know about the person submitting to you?Lists of previous publication credits are tedious.Jonathan Penton, Editor-in-Chief on 15 June 2019If you publish writing, how much of a piece do you read before making the decision to reject it?We try to take every rejection seriously, and not dismiss quality material that might have a rocky start. We don't promise to read EVERY piece to the end, but most of them.Jonathan Penton, Editor-in-Chief on 15 June 2019What is a day in the life of an editor like for you?We try not to drink before 6:30pm. We don't try very hard.Jonathan Penton, Editor-in-Chief on 15 June 2019How much do you edit an accepted piece prior to publication?Substantive editing is time-consuming, so it is better to produce camera-ready work. We are willing to do it for rough pieces of remarkable potential, after checking to see if the author is open to it.Jonathan Penton, Editor-in-Chief on 15 June 2019Do you nominate work you've published for any national or international awards?Some times. It's best for authors to be up on these awards and willing to ask us.Jonathan Penton, Editor-in-Chief on 15 June 2019 Cookie Consent: This site uses secure first-party cookies for essential, preference-setting, and statistical purposes. We do not use any marketing, advertising, or third-party cookies. Read our full cookie policy. Accept All Cookies Allow Essential Cookies Only