Colleen J. McElroy gives advice to new writers and discusses how literary journal editors choose what to publish.
Colleen J. McElroy lives in Seattle, Washington. She was editor in chief of The Seattle Review from 1992-2006, and is now Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington. McElroy has published numerous collections of poetry, short stories, and creative nonfiction, and also writes for stage and television.
Sharyn Skeeter:How would you describe The Seattle Review?
Colleen J. McElroy: The Seattle Review is a nonprofit biannual journal that features poetry, fiction, and some graphic arts.
Skeeter: What was your experience with that journal?
McElroy: I started as poetry editor and about three years later became the second editor in chief. As editor I did everything from raising money and working with layouts to corresponding with writers.
Skeeter:As editor in chief how did you and the other editors decide what to publish?
McElroy: All work is juried through a panel of readers. The editor of that genre [poetry, fiction] receives the suggestions from the panel and makes the final decision. At The Seattle Review there was some concern for emerging writers because the decision process takes so long. We work one year ahead.
Skeeter: From an editor’s view, do you have any tips for new writers who would like to get their work published in literary magazines?
McElroy: Writers need to read the magazines they’re interested in submitting to. They should look at where writers who they like are being published. They should be diligent, send out their work, and follow the guidelines of the magazine. New writers must be sure to hone their craft. Understand that poetry is not just an outpouring of emotion—although emotion is in poetry—and that, although the lines are blurred sometimes, there is a difference between poetry and fiction. Writing is two parts craft and one part instinct.
Skeeter: Do you have any suggestions for those interested in starting their own literary journals?
McElroy: Think about it very seriously because they will probably need to eat and sleep with that journal. It can be all consuming. If they are writers, editing the journal can take over their writing. It can also be very expensive, so they need deep pockets with funding and/or donors.
