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Editor Interview: Bookanista

Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.

Book and writer features.

What other current publications (or publishers) do you admire most?

In terms of books and fiction coverage, Paris Review, Literary Review, The New Yorker, Guardian Books, The New York Times Book Review.

If you publish writing, who are your favorite writers? If you publish art, who are your favorite artists?

If forced to pick current favourites whose work I always look out for, I'd have to include Valeria Luiselli, Samanta Schweblin, Fatima Bhutto, Dorthe Nors, Petina Gappah, Leïla Slimani, Andrés Neuman, Borhan Sonmez, Etgar Keret, Colson Whitehead and Edward Carey, all of whom I've interviewed and/or have contributed to Bookanista.

What sets your publication apart from others that publish similar material?

In-depth interviews and essay-length reviews, short stories and fiction and non-fiction extracts, the chance for readers to get to know current authors from around the world, and giving voice to literary translators.

What is the best advice you can give people who are considering submitting work to your publication?

We're always happy to consider review, interview and fiction proposals, but are a no-income not-for-profit and cannot pay a fee.

Describe the ideal submission.

Thoughtful, in-depth reviews and interviews or a great short story.

What do submitters most often get wrong about your submissions process?

We sometimes receive product-placement proposals from bloggers outside books and publishing, which always baffles me. Read the website and see what we do!

How much do you want to know about the person submitting to you?

A brief, 2-3 sentence bio always helps. Previous publication credits are useful, but we sometimes run pieces by people who are starting out who are passionate about a particular book or author.

If you publish writing, how much of a piece do you read before making the decision to reject it?

Opening paragraphs are key to reading on.

What additional evaluations, if any, does a piece go through before it is accepted?

There will always be a line edit for house style, for approval by the author.

What is a day in the life of an editor like for you?

It's usually just me reading submissions, and some days I'm more overrun than others.

How much do you edit an accepted piece prior to publication?

A line edit for author approval can be substantive if required.

Do you nominate work you've published for any national or international awards?

No.

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