January/February 2007

Michael Stephen Fuchs doesn't seem particularly naive or susceptible to exploitation. The fast-talking writer has a successful day job as an Internet consultant, peppers his conversation with literary aphorisms, and, like many debut authors, can talk with an eloquence borne from personal experience about the iniquities of the publishing business. But according to some in the book trade, Fuchs has been suckered.

Not unlike European explorers five hundred years ago, the United States publishing industry is looking for a route to China. And, like those explorers, each company seems to be setting a different course.

Literary MagNet chronicles the start-ups and closures, successes and failures, anniversaries and accolades, changes of editorship and special issues—in short, the news and trends—of literary magazines in America. This issue's MagNet features Oxford American, the Believer, Wholphin, McSweeney's, Rattapallax, the Reader, and Poetry Kanto.

The Council of Literary Magazines and Presses unveils the Submission Manager, software used to accept and track online submissions, resulting in less waste and more efficiency for writers and editors alike.

Small Press Points highlights the happenings of the small press players. This issue features No Tell Books and Perugia Press.

Executive director of Poets House Lee Briccetti talks about the relocation and expansion of the country's largest poetry library.

Images of participants who tattooed one word from Shelley Jackson’s 2,095-word story, “Skin,” on their bodies as part of her “mortal work of art” project.

This Page One features excerpts from Corrections to My Memoirs by Michael Kun and Home Remedies by Angela Pneuman. 

A look at the work of reclusive poet Frederick Seidel.