Editor Interview: Unleash Lit Go to the listing List all editor interviews Edit answers (editors only) Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.Authentic writingJen Knox, Executive Director on 05 January 2025What other current publications (or publishers) do you admire most?The Sun, Black Fox Literary Magazine, Black Warrior Review, GargoyleJen Knox, Executive Director on 05 January 2025If you publish writing, who are your favorite writers? If you publish art, who are your favorite artists?Writing: George Saunders, Paulo Coelho, Kate Quinn, Mary GaitskillArt: Georgia O'Keeffe, Marina Abramovic, MC Escher, Salvador DalíWe publish and enthusiastically welcome ekphrastic pieces.Jen Knox, Executive Director on 05 January 2025What sets your publication apart from others that publish similar material?We evaluate all work based on the same criteria: clarity, originality, style and voice. By keeping this formula simple, we are able to identify the pieces that speak to our mission of augmenting authentic and diverse voices.Jen Knox, Executive Director on 05 January 2025What is the best advice you can give people who are considering submitting work to your publication?One trick I like for offsetting submission addiction is to take your cover letter and full submission, paste or attach it into an email scheduled to yourself for the next day instead. When it arrives, read it as though you were an editor. If you'd accept it, send it along to us. And, of course, sign up for our publication and read it for a few months before submitting.Jen Knox, Executive Director on 05 January 2025Describe the ideal submission.The writing is clear enough that I forget I'm reading as an editor and instead feel as though I am transported into a new world of ideas, feeling, or story.Jen Knox, Executive Director on 05 January 2025What do submitters most often get wrong about your submissions process?Most of our submitters read the guidelines. Occasionally, we will get a very long piece. We only publish work that is under 2,000 words.Jen Knox, Executive Director on 05 January 2025How much do you want to know about the person submitting to you?We do not read cover letters until we accept a piece.Jen Knox, Executive Director on 05 January 2025If you publish writing, how much of a piece do you read before making the decision to reject it?Because our word count is short, we read the entire piece even if it's not grabbing us. We occasionally offer feedback or a request for revision.Jen Knox, Executive Director on 05 January 2025What additional evaluations, if any, does a piece go through before it is accepted?All pieces go through two readers, who subjectively apply the same rubric mentioned in a prior question.Jen Knox, Executive Director on 05 January 2025What is a day in the life of an editor like for you?It's a lot more work than I anticipated. Luckily, I love it. We read submissions, preschedule them, answer author questions, write newsletters, celebrate our authors, and meet regularly as a board and discuss how to do what we do better.Jen Knox, Executive Director on 05 January 2025How much do you edit an accepted piece prior to publication?Ideally, we edit lightly or not at all. If the piece needs substantive editing, we ask for a revision.Jen Knox, Executive Director on 05 January 2025Do you nominate work you've published for any national or international awards?Yes, we nominate for the Pushcart and Best of the Net.Jen Knox, Executive Director on 05 January 2025 Cookie Consent: This site uses secure first-party cookies for essential, preference-setting, and statistical purposes. We do not use any marketing, advertising, or third-party cookies. Read our full cookie policy. Accept All Cookies Allow Essential Cookies Only