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Editor Interview: Reed Magazine

Q: Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.

A: Voices that persist

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

A: Poetry Magazine, Tin House, Popshot, Cream City Review, Santa Clara Review, Ploughshares, Black Warrior Review, The Believer

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

A: Writers: Richard Brautigan, Kiese Layman, Shirley Jackson, Billy Collins, Susan Cain, Oliver Sacks, Roald Dahl, and Octavia Butler.
Artists: Ansel Adams, Gustav Klimt, Frida Kahlo, Hilma af Klint, and Vivian Maier

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

A: Reed Magazine, established in 1867, is California's oldest literary journal. For over 150 years, Reed Magazine has published the work of artists whose narrative voices persist beyond the page, whose imagery lingers in our minds, and whose language challenges us to think, to do, to be part of the creative legacy of our time.

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

A: We love to review vibrant, exciting, wild pieces from new voices. No matter your medium, the staff at Reed Magazine wants to hear your stories.

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

A: Submit work online only through Submittable.

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

A: Name, email, address, 50-word bio, word count or art credits (depending on medium submitted), and how you heard about Reed Magazine. No need for cover letters.

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

A: We read pieces in their entirety and review every piece we receive.

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

A: No additional evaluations, though we do consider submitted work for in-print publication, as well as online publication.

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

A: Reed Magazine prioritizes pieces that need little to no content editing. We query authors about content edits, and otherwise copyedit using the Chicago Manual of Style.

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

A: Reed Magazine participates in nominations for Pushcart and the Best American Series regularly.