Editor Interview: Porchlight Go to the listing List all editor interviews Edit answers (editors only) Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.poetry, fiction, CNFRandy Mackin, Editor-in-Chief on 28 May 2026What other current publications (or publishers) do you admire most?Oxford AmericanSalvation SouthBrown DogHub CitySouthern ReviewRandy Mackin, Editor-in-Chief on 28 May 2026If you publish writing, who are your favorite writers? If you publish art, who are your favorite artists?Ron RashGeorge SingletonCary HollidayRandy Mackin, Editor-in-Chief on 28 May 2026What sets your publication apart from others that publish similar material?An equal focus on established and emerging Southern voicesRandy Mackin, Editor-in-Chief on 28 May 2026What is the best advice you can give people who are considering submitting work to your publication?Be honest, genuine, brave, and fully imagined.Randy Mackin, Editor-in-Chief on 28 May 2026Describe the ideal submission.One that presents full developed characters dealing with the human condition for fiction, and poetry that offers the reader something to remember long after they have read the poem.Randy Mackin, Editor-in-Chief on 28 May 2026What do submitters most often get wrong about your submissions process?We do not publish thriller pieces, science fiction, or horror lit.Randy Mackin, Editor-in-Chief on 28 May 2026How much do you want to know about the person submitting to you?Nothing unless we requested a submission. Decisions on unsolicited work are made blind; we request bio info only after an acceptance has been made.Randy Mackin, Editor-in-Chief on 28 May 2026If you publish writing, how much of a piece do you read before making the decision to reject it?All of it, unless the submitted piece falls under the unpublishable genres listed in a previous answer (thriller, sci-fi, horror).Randy Mackin, Editor-in-Chief on 28 May 2026What additional evaluations, if any, does a piece go through before it is accepted?Edits for grammar, if applicable, suggestions on general improvement overall or at the sentence level.Randy Mackin, Editor-in-Chief on 28 May 2026What is a day in the life of an editor like for you?Checking for submissions, reading a handful of stories or poetry submissions, making decisions, making edit suggestions for accepted pieces, emailing writers, handling social media needs, lining up the details for each month's content drop.Randy Mackin, Editor-in-Chief on 28 May 2026How much do you edit an accepted piece prior to publication?Depends on the needs. Very little on poetry which comes complete, it seems, for the poems accepted. For fiction and CNF, heavy edits when needed if the piece shows promise, but only minor changes on polished submissions--all with cooperative with the authors a back-and-forth process.Randy Mackin, Editor-in-Chief on 28 May 2026Do you nominate work you've published for any national or international awards?Not yet, but we will do so this coming year.Randy Mackin, Editor-in-Chief on 28 May 2026How is your project funded?Solely on submission fees at the present moment, but maybe through grants after we have met longevity requirements.Randy Mackin, Editor-in-Chief on 28 May 2026How do you promote your project and published authors/artists?We are an online journal but plan an annual print anthology starting this year. Promotion is through social media, word of mouth, and the Southern Festival of Books.Randy Mackin, Editor-in-Chief on 28 May 2026 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