Skip to Content

Editor Interview: Moss Piglet Zine

Q: Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.

A: Work based on themes

Q: What other current publications (or publishers) do you admire most?

A: Juxtapoz , Hi-Fructose, Cabinet, Apartamento, McSweeney's

Q: If you publish writing, who are your favorite writers? If you publish art, who are your favorite artists?

A: Favorite writers: Connie Willis, Haruki Murakami, Philip K. Dick, Paul Auster
Favorite artists: Chagall, Lyonel Feininger, Van Gogh, Kandinsky, Philip Guston, the Hairy Who

Q: What sets your publication apart from others that publish similar material?

A: We work to develop a sense of community among those who are featured in our publication. We started with a small group of friends, making art and creating stories, then publishing their work in a small zine. We then included other creatives in our state (Wisconsin) before welcoming artists and authors from across the USA, into Canada, and from Europe. We publish a full color, perfect bound, professionally printed edition on a monthly basis.

Q: What is the best advice you can give people who are considering submitting work to your publication?

A: When sending in submissions, tell us something about yourself. We're not only putting out a publication, we are seeking to develop a community of artists and authors. Also, make sure your submission applies to the theme assigned to each issue. A list of monthly themes may be viewed at our website.

Q: Describe the ideal submission.

A: The ideal submission follows our submission guidelines. Send in work that is tied to our theme for any particular month. Tell us something about yourself.

Q: What do submitters most often get wrong about your submissions process?

A: They send in stories that far exceed our word count (1,000). They submit work that is not tied to our theme for a particular month. They provide art in a low-resolution format and/or is marred by flash photography of their drawing or painting. They submit work without the courtesy of introducing themselves.

Q: How much do you want to know about the person submitting to you?

A: We want to know something about the person who is sending us their work, not just their credentials. We care more about quality writing and art than where they've been published before or where they have exhibited their work. While this information is nice to know, it does not affect our review process to determine which works are approved for publication.

Q: If you publish writing, how much of a piece do you read before making the decision to reject it?

A: We typically read each piece at least once.

Q: What additional evaluations, if any, does a piece go through before it is accepted?

A: We check spelling, grammar, and may fact check details in a story or essay.

Q: What is a day in the life of an editor like for you?

A: After an initial read-through of material, we may go back to some of the material that is slated for rejection to see if there is some quality to a piece that we missed upon original examination. On an occasional basis, a piece will surprise us with a second or third read and be moved to the acceptance category.

Q: How important do you feel it is for publishers to embrace modern technologies?

A: While we carry an online version of our publication, we take pride in our print publication. There's something magical about the tactile sensation of handling a book, journal, or magazine that cannot be duplicated on a phone, computer or tablet screen. We have recently launched an online newsletter, A Moss Piglet Primer, through Substack. We would prefer if we could print the newsletter, but we have finite hours in our day and finite dollars in our bank account.

Q: How much do you edit an accepted piece prior to publication?

A: With poetry, we rarely edit, and if so, we typically work with the author to a final product. With stories/essays, we may edit for spelling, grammar, length, and clarity of the piece. We strive to work with authors toward a final piece, suitable for the publication.

Q: Do you nominate work you've published for any national or international awards?

A: No.