Editor Interview: New Pop Lit

Stories enjoyable to read

We admire a lot of publications, but we don't know of any others which are trying to do what we're doing: bringing literary fiction back to ordinary people. We promote literary fiction that people want to read after a long day at work. We're always looking for thoughtful storytellers. We're always looking for writing that grabs audiences.

For me personally, it's Roald Dahl and Mikhail Bulgakov.

We look for reader-focused storytelling. We want literary fiction with popular appeal. As I answered before, neither Karl Wenclas (the other editor) nor I know of any other publication that has this goal. Our existence sets us apart!

When you've completed your story have a third party read it. Ask them where it drags; if something about the story feels unsatisfying; what their favorite imagery was. Try rewriting with the feedback in mind. Being a good storyteller is hard and honing the craft requires feedback.
I'm a big fan of rewriting work, even though it can be painful rewriting helps me decide what is crucial and effective.

A thoughtful, balanced story that grabs my attention from beginning to end. Both Karl and I read every submission.

Our submission process is pretty simple, people don't really get it wrong. We had one author submit something via a comment to our Guidelines page which was a chuckle. We do ask that people send us their writing as they'd like to have it published. Multiple copies of a story that's been accepted can get very confusing.

We only need to know their pen name and their contact information. When we accept a piece we ask authors for a two-sentence biography and any social media handles that they'd like published along with their writing, but biographical information is not a must.

It depends. Sometimes it's possible to tell before the end of the submission, but Karl and I like to give everything its fair due.

Karl and I read everything that gets submitted, if we like it we publish it. Our ideas about formatting, grammar and the like are described on our Mission and Guidelines page, our main concern is that text be readable. If it's readable and captivating then we're thrilled to publish it!

Promoting our authors is important to Karl and me, as is spreading the word that literary fiction can be fun to read and smart. We do everything we can to trumpet great work and give exposure to up-and-coming authors, or authors who are doing innovative things when they publish.