Editor Interview: South 85 Journal Go to the listing List all editor interviews Edit answers (editors only) Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.Vibrant & voiceyLeslie Pietrzyk, Editor on 22 January 2025What other current publications (or publishers) do you admire most?Many! Here are some: swamp pink, Story, Hudson Review, Split Lip Magazine, Sewanee Review, Cincinnati ReviewLeslie Pietrzyk, Editor on 22 January 2025If you publish writing, who are your favorite writers? If you publish art, who are your favorite artists?We love to pieces the work of our Converse low-res MFA core faculty !Rick MulkeyMarlin BartonRobert OlmsteadSusan TekulveDenise DuhamelLeslie PietrzykGeoff HerbachSuzanne ClearyTyree DayeAshley M. JonesSheila O'ConnorLeslie Pietrzyk, Editor on 22 January 2025What is the best advice you can give people who are considering submitting work to your publication?Please make sure you have spent enough time on revision. It's so exciting to finish a piece and send it out into the world...but we suggest holding onto it for one more week and then giving it that final polish. Our theme issues are very open-ended by design, so don't be afraid to think outside the box.Leslie Pietrzyk, Editor on 22 January 2025How much do you want to know about the person submitting to you?A cover letter is helpful, but the work is the most important factor. We're interested in previous publication credits, but we're equally interested in reading the work of a writer who's brand new to sending out their work. In the end, please don't stress out about the cover letter or worry that you're addressing the "wrong" editor. We just want to read what you've written!Leslie Pietrzyk, Editor on 22 January 2025If you publish writing, how much of a piece do you read before making the decision to reject it?Our reading team takes their role very seriously, approaching each submission with hope and attention. They're encouraged to read to the end.Leslie Pietrzyk, Editor on 22 January 2025What additional evaluations, if any, does a piece go through before it is accepted?Our reading team votes on the submissions, which then go to the genre editor. Each genre editor selects a list of a dozen or so to pass along to the editor who makes the final decision, using input from the group.Leslie Pietrzyk, Editor on 22 January 2025How much do you edit an accepted piece prior to publication?We do not edit heavily beyond grammatical/copy-edits and small tweaks that the author is aware of. We assume the writer has presented the work they are pleased with.Leslie Pietrzyk, Editor on 22 January 2025Do you nominate work you've published for any national or international awards?At this point we nominate for the Pushcart Prizes and Best of the Net.Leslie Pietrzyk, Editor on 22 January 2025 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