Editor Interview: J Journal Go to the listing List all editor interviews Edit answers (editors only) Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.Justice relatedAdam Berlin, Jeffrey Heiman, Editors on 29 October 2010What other current publications (or publishers) do you admire most?Tri-QuarterlyPloughsharesNotre Dame ReviewGreensboroOpen CityAdam Berlin, Jeffrey Heiman, Editors on 29 October 2010If you publish writing, who are your favorite writers? If you publish art, who are your favorite artists?Philip Roth, Hunter Thompson, David Lodge, Jhumpa Lahiri, Binnie Kirshenbaum, Sharon Olds, Seamus HeaneyAdam Berlin, Jeffrey Heiman, Editors on 29 October 2010What sets your publication apart from others that publish similar material?J Journal is the only literary journal in the country that published creative writing framed by the justice issue. The journal's most successful work approaches the justice question tangentially rather than directly.Adam Berlin, Jeffrey Heiman, Editors on 29 October 2010What is the best advice you can give people who are considering submitting work to your publication?Work hard on revisions. Stay away from genre writing.Adam Berlin, Jeffrey Heiman, Editors on 01 November 2012Describe the ideal submission.Character-driven stories that have been thoroughly revised. We take literary fiction and personal narrative, not academic or scholarly work. For poetry, we look for the visceral more than the cerebral.Adam Berlin, Jeffrey Heiman, Editors on 29 October 2010What do submitters most often get wrong about your submissions process?Too many genre pieces, too many stock courtroom dramas, too many pieces that need character development. J Journal is a literary journal first and foremost.Adam Berlin, Jeffrey Heiman, Editors on 29 October 2010How much do you want to know about the person submitting to you?We like to get a brief sense of our writers, but the work comes first. We have published many new writers, especially from the MFA programs.Adam Berlin, Jeffrey Heiman, Editors on 29 October 2010If you publish writing, how much of a piece do you read before making the decision to reject it?We can often tell early on if the story is too plot-driven or if the poem lacks originality. For stronger pieces we read to the end.Adam Berlin, Jeffrey Heiman, Editors on 29 October 2010What additional evaluations, if any, does a piece go through before it is accepted?Two readers who debate the merits of a piece. If a piece is promising we work closely with the writer on revisions.Adam Berlin, Jeffrey Heiman, Editors on 29 October 2010What is a day in the life of an editor like for you?During the reading period we spend ten hours a day with manuscripts. During off periods we take care of the journal's administrative duties and work to expand our readership.Adam Berlin, Jeffrey Heiman, Editors on 29 October 2010 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