Editor Interview: Louisiana Literature Journal

Work built from choices

The journals I read and admire most consistently are The Hudson Review, The Dark Horse, Rattle, Fence, and Oxford American.

Jared Carter, Sheryl St. Germain, T. R. Hummer, David Baker, David Bottoms.

I would say our consistent attention to craft and sympathy toward the goals of the artists we publish set us apart from similar journals.

Do not be arbitrary in your selection of materials to submit to our journal. Make an effort to match your submission to your understanding of our journal's aesthetic. That's an effort requiring preparation on the writer's part, and you can rest assured we'll notice and appreciate that effort.

Our ideal submission anticipates our journal's needs by understanding our editorial goals. It presents itself professionally with craft and intent. Beyond these generics, the horizon is completely open to possibility.

The most consistent reason we return manuscripts is stylistic incompatibility. Too often, submissions show no awareness of the 28 year history of our journal. While our readers are always open to new and exciting pieces of art, our journal sets the context in all cases.

Cover letters are important sources of information. We tend to reference that information after the manuscript has been read and evaluated, however. For that reason, lists of publication credits have no effect on our decision process whatsoever.

I read every line of poetry we receive. Prose, however, is a different consideration. As soon as it becomes clear that the content and/or style isn't appropriate for our journal, our readers are encouraged to stop reading in the interest of time management.

Our readers identify suitable submissions. Then our editorial board selects the best of those submissions for publication by general agreement. Final choice in all instances, though, rests with the editor-in-chief. We do not employ outside readers, nor do we vet submissions though any external board.

There's no glamour to our reading process. When the pile of manuscripts becomes alarming in our office, we sit down with a pot of coffee, lock the door, and read though the pile entirely. I don't reference readers' reports beforehand, nor do I hold briefings. Most often, our choices are supported by readers' suggestions. In the end, though, the choices we make in those sessions are what we live by as a journal.