Q: Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.
A: Writing that haunts us.
Q: What other current publications (or publishers) do you admire most?
A: We're big fans of online literary journals like SWWIM, Stirring, Thimble, Brevity, Rogue Agent, Rise Up Review, Cotton Xenomorph, Right Hand Pointing, Waxwing, Tinderbox, The Adroit Journal, The Lascaux Review, The Rumpus, and many, many more.
Q: If you publish writing, who are your favorite writers? If you publish art, who are your favorite artists?
A: The ones we publish. ;)
Q: What sets your publication apart from others that publish similar material?
A: Our inclusion of pedagogy papers and our Teachers' Lounge. Our "tip jar" links.
Q: What is the best advice you can give people who are considering submitting work to your publication?
A: Be sure to read the guidelines carefully!
Q: Describe the ideal submission.
A: Again, one that follows our guidelines. As for the writing, we like it short and memorable. Aside from that, we're pretty open to form and content. I've found that we take delight in publishing seasonal writing in the right season, so you might want to note which issues we're reading for if you use seasonal imagery in your writing.
Q: What do submitters most often get wrong about your submissions process?
A: Occasionally people don't include a cover letter, and an attachment with no message at all is too sketchy. We get great submissions overall though. Most submitters get it right!
Q: How much do you want to know about the person submitting to you?
A: We like a good cover letter and a short bio. We like knowing something about the writer. Previous publication credits don't matter, but being a friendly human being (who is professional and follows guidelines) does matter.
Q: If you publish writing, how much of a piece do you read before making the decision to reject it?
A: It varies. I err on the side of reading whole pieces, but sometimes I'll move on if a piece has lost my interest or actively pushed me away.
Q: What additional evaluations, if any, does a piece go through before it is accepted?
A: We have a peer review team. Pieces are read by a minimum of 2 reviewers, and we read for 2 issues at a time. We always see more great work than we could possibly publish!
Q: How important do you feel it is for publishers to embrace modern technologies?
A: I think it's important for the literary world to remain varied. There's room enough for new technologies and for traditional methods of publishing. It would be so sad and boring if we were all doing things in the same way. As for Whale Road Review, we exist to put short, memorable work in front of readers. We want to publish writing that people could read on their phones or computers in stolen moments and that will then continue to haunt those readers for life.
Q: Do you nominate work you've published for any national or international awards?
A: Yes! We nominate work for The Pushcart Prize, Best of the Net, Best New Poets, Best Small Fictions, Best Microfiction, Best Spiritual Literature, and other opportunities that come along.