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Editor Interview: The Quasar Review

Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.

Global & Unconventional

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

My favorite authors are Randall Munroe (for his iconic and mind-bending "what if" series) and Ben Orlin (for the intriguing calculus-themed stories in "Change Is The Only Constant" ). Regarding general fiction, Anthony Doerr (for "Cloud Cuckoo Land" and "All The Light We Cannot See") is a genuine #1.

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

The Quasar Review is writers/readers-first in its operation. We do not charge submission fees, maintain a highly curated (<8% acceptance) content output, send decisions in less than 30-40 days, and offer submission feedback from the 10-20th of the month. In other words, we accept the best material but allow submitters to improve without waiting half a year.

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

Please read the submission guidelines and do not submit NSFW content. We accept a wide variety of themes and do not restrict submitters to a specific topic for each edition. Do not submit poems by copy-pasting them into email; instead, insert them into a document and send it over!

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

When we review submissions, we do not consider previous publication credits. However, a strong cover letter discussing the nature and topic of the submission can be the difference in acceptance or rejection.

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

My staff and I read each piece fully, but can generally tell whether the piece is right for publication within the first page. Formatting issues are usually the most integral deterrent.

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

After passing initial selection, my team and I review the pieces and decide on a general theme. The remaining submissions are reviewed a second time to see if they fit with the general theme and contain strong emotional resonance and/or structure.

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

I'll usually download submissions and sort them into folders for specific staff to review. I'll meet with specific design staff to discuss the creation of the edition. I will also respond to emails (such as those requesting clarification).

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

Yes, The Quasar Review nominates work for national and international awards. We nominate for Wigleaf, Pushcart, BOTN, Best New Poets, Best Small Fiction, Best American, and Pen.

How is your project funded?

The Quasar Review does not receive funding and is self-funded.

How do you promote your project and published authors/artists?

The Quasar Review maintains an online presence on various social media sites. We promote individual editions on our Instagram, @thequasarreview_2084 and are considering individual author/artist spotlight features.

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