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Q: Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.
A: Queer+Allied Art+Writing
Q: What other current publications (or publishers) do you admire most?
A: The New Yorker, Word Riot, Poetry, Crab Creek Review, Unshod Quills, Bourbon Penn, Glimmer Train, Bitch, Atlantic Review, New Letters... we love Hawthorne Books, Chronicle Books, Soft Skull Press, New Directions, Graywolf Press, Tin House, and all the indie folks getting 'er done.
Q: If you publish writing, who are your favorite writers? If you publish art, who are your favorite artists?
A: Fiction: David Mitchell, Aimme Bender, William Gibson, James Baldwin, Dorothy Allison, Denis Johnson, Jeanette Winterson
Poetry: Monica Youn, Dorianne Laux, Matthea Harvey, Mark Doty
CNF: Jillian Lauren, Clint Catalyst, Kevin Sampsell
Q: What sets your publication apart from others that publish similar material?
A: Gertrude Press publishes work from a variety of people (LGBTQA) in a variety of forms - photos of 2D and 3D art, fiction (micro to 3,000 words), creative non-fiction, poetry, multi-media (web only), and all combinations. We print two gorgeous issues a year and a chapbook for the winners of our annual poetry and fiction chapbook contest. Submit!
Q: What is the best advice you can give people who are considering submitting work to your publication?
A: As a journal dedicated to staying in print and having a fabulous website, we offer authors and artists the chance to hold their work in their hands (something we love!) and be a presence in the on-line community. Because of this, we get a lot of submissions. So please, read our guidelines and send us your best work!
Q: Describe the ideal submission.
A: Our ideal submission offers a unique perspective and voice. We love it be amazed and inspired; we love to see a new story or a new way of looking at the world. Wow us!
Q: What do submitters most often get wrong about your submissions process?
A: They submit to the wrong editor or don't read our guidelines carefully enough, especially that we only accept stories up to 3,000 words.
Q: How much do you want to know about the person submitting to you?
A: We judge on the merit of the work but accept standard cover letters.
Q: If you publish writing, how much of a piece do you read before making the decision to reject it?
A: For fiction and CNF we will read until we are stopped (or the story ends!). With art and poetry, typically the full sample is reviewed.
Q: What additional evaluations, if any, does a piece go through before it is accepted?
A: Our writing submissions usually have the acceptance of one reader + the editor before being accepted. Most art decisions are made by our art editor alone.
Q: What is a day in the life of an editor like for you?
A: A few days a week, I'll do some Gertrude business - whether preparing for our monthly meeting (this month - stats on doing e-books, review of postings for interns, approval of cover art for chapbooks), reviewing submissions and/or sending acceptance contracts, proofing copy for our next issue, posting on Facebook or maybe writing a blog, or working on our next event here in Portland, OR. Always drinking lots of tea!
Q: How important do you feel it is for publishers to embrace modern technologies?
A: For Gertrude, a mix feels right. We are moving accepting ONLY on-line submissions and very interested in making POD and e-reader downloads available while we are dedicated to staying in traditional print. Also, we are actively looking for multi-media (text-driven video pieces) to be published on our site only. Submit!