Editor Interview: Up the Staircase Quarterly

Exciting, unique poetry

I enjoy reading issues of Rattle, Prairie Schooner, Birdfeast, Stirring, Dressing Room Poetry Journal, New York Quarterly, Paper Darts Magazine, Thrush Poetry Journal, Hunger Mountain, and The Louisiana Review.

I love the work of James Wright, Frank O'Hara, Djuna Barnes, Eugene O'Neill, WCW, Sherman Alexie, Anne Sexton, Carson McCullers, Richard Brautigan, Mina Loy, John Berryman, and Yevgeny Yevtushenko.

As an active writer myself, my preferences and tastes are constantly expanding and brightening. I am a difference-seeker. I embrace quality work that pushes me into a new direction.

Be bold in language, idea, and emotion.
Please follow submission guidelines.

An ideal submission shows interest in the writing I have published and respect for the work I am doing. I do not demand a cover letter, but I highly enjoy reading them.

If a submitter chooses to address me by name, it would be nice if they addressed me by the correct name. Also, I am a female. Please do not call me "sir."

Like I stated before, I do not demand a cover letter, but it is nice to at least be greeted. I enjoy hearing how you know about my publication, and why you have decided to submit to it.
Brief previous publication lists are not necessary, but I find them interesting.

I read all of the submissions from top to bottom, but it is often easy to tell if the work is right for the journal in the first few lines. However, I give every poem its full chance.

I read submissions in my free time, usually 2 times a week. I respond to all submissions as soon as I make a final decision on the work.

Running a journal with only one person on staff is a full time job, but I am a dedicated and hard working editor. I read and respond to submissions in my free time and piece together issues on weekends.