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Editor Interview: Inglenook Lit Mag

Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.

Speculative Prose

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

Orion, Emergence Magazine, Milkweed, Autofocus Books, Tor.com

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

Robin Wall Kimmerer, Rebecca Solnit, Carmen Maria Machado, Maggie Nelson, Helen Oyeyemi, Annie Dillard, Brian Doyle

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

We look for literary tone and quality craft before anything else. If the craft is there, we ask: how does this story add to either our collective understanding of magic or our appreciation for mystery? Our publication is enchanting, inspiring, and though-provoking.

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

Don't send your first draft, and please make sure you're submitting to the correct genre.

Describe the ideal submission.

The ideal submission is written by someone who has read this interview and thinks, "yeah, my work is definitely at home here."

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

Genre! Some folks send us CNF when it's really fiction. Others send reads that are on the light or spooky side, and don't have the chewy literary quality we look for.

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

We usually don't look at the letter until after we've read a piece. It helps us determine if someone needs extra help with editing, which we often provide.

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

I'm a sucker for reading a whole story, even if I don't like it, just to know the ending. That said, we mostly read the first page or two to decide if a story has potential on Inglenook.

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

Working relationship with the author - some pieces need more work, but we like their potential. If an author is willing to edit with us, and keeps in touch in a timely fashion, it can be a fun and rewarding experience.

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

Too much time sitting at my desk until my dogs bother me to go outside - and thank goodness they do.

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

We've done everything from copy and paste a ready story to full line edits. All pieces go through basic proofreading, and authors get to see what we're publishing beforehand.

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

This is a future goal!

How is your project funded?

A variety of channels including merchandise, private funding, and Substack. This is primarily a labor of love.

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

We give their work special spotlights on Instagram. Our issues are online, which allows us to give every piece a unique and special rollout.

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