Editor Interview: The Milwaukee Avenue Messenger Go to the listing List all editor interviews Edit answers (editors only) Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.DIY Word/Art LoveMatt McCarthy, Publisher and Editor on 25 October 2026What other current publications (or publishers) do you admire most?Sabr Tooth Tiger Magazine, Raging Opossum Press, the pub, Pizama PressMatt McCarthy, Publisher and Editor on 25 October 2026What sets your publication apart from others that publish similar material?We're available in print and online. We have a real, physical presence in the neighborhoods along Milwaukee Avenue and beyond in the City of Chicago. Milwaukee Avenue has always been a street of immigrants, artists, writers, and musicians—a melting pot of cultures and ideas and creative, DIY energy. That's what we're trying to do here. In the real world.Matt McCarthy, Publisher and Editor on 25 October 2026What is the best advice you can give people who are considering submitting work to your publication?Read the submissions guidelines, send in a short bio, do your best work, and be a little bit patient with us as we sort through it all.Matt McCarthy, Publisher and Editor on 25 October 2026How much do you want to know about the person submitting to you?No, but including a short bio that we can use to run with your submission (if accepted) is great.Matt McCarthy, Publisher and Editor on 25 October 2026If you publish writing, how much of a piece do you read before making the decision to reject it?We review every submission with love and care. With some poetry we can tell right away when the visual format the author is trying to achieve will be too challenging to physically print and (for us) make it look good in our format. But we generally review everything all the way through at least once with love and care.Matt McCarthy, Publisher and Editor on 25 October 2026How much do you edit an accepted piece prior to publication?We typically give everything a good copy edit. For poetry, it's lighter and more query-based with the author. We send out digital proofs for each author/artist to review and approve prior to publication.Matt McCarthy, Publisher and Editor on 25 October 2026How is your project funded?With a lot of love and luck.Matt McCarthy, Publisher and Editor on 25 October 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