Introducing The Drum

Do you like listening to fiction read aloud? Do you like to take your stories on the go? Coming in May 2010 there will be a new literary magazine for your ears: The Drum. Founded by Grub Streeter and fellow Beyond the Margins blogger Henriette Lazaridis Power, The Drum will publish short fiction, essays, and author interviews in audio form. It will be like going to an author reading, except the author comes to you!

As Henriette says, "I want The Drum to be a kind of curated iTunes for new works, with all the 'soundtrack of your life' possibilities that iTunes allows. I think, too, for anyone who views writing as essentially performative, and who values the artistry of the speaking voice, The Drum will, with luck, satisfy their interest."

Most of the stories and essays wil be read by the authors. If you are a writer interested submitting to The Drum, here are the guidelines:

"The Drum is looking for work that pays close attention to language while never losing sight of the narrative drive. We want stories that really do tell a story. And essays that engage in the complexity of an idea. We accept essays (under 10,000 words), short-shorts (under 2,000 words), short stories (under 10,000), and novel excerpts (up to 50 pages; we may choose to publish novel excerpts in two segments). Please send only text files (only in .doc format). If we accept your work, we will be in touch about how to arrange a recording. Make sure that your name and the title of the work appear on each page of the manuscript and present the manuscript with standard margins and type. Include contact information on the first page of the document."

Visit The Drum for more information about where and how to submit.

Literary Magazine Review

Check out my review of Sonora Review's double issue, number 55 and 56, just posted at The Review Review. You'll find out about their tribute to David Foster Wallace and how the winners of their annual short short contest fare.

As I mention every couple months here on Unreliable Narrator, The Review Review hosts a siteful of great reviews of your favorite literary magazines and interviews with lit mag editors. There is also a section called Writers Speak where you can read personal reflections on the importance of lit mags by writers like Jenna Blum and Dan Chaon. If you're a writer interested in writing reviews for the site, contact Becky Tuch. She's a one-woman dynamo, the sole engineer behind this site, and she's always looking for new reviewers and essayists. Tell her an Unreliable Narrator sent you.

Literary Magazine Interview

This month on The Review Review website, check out my interview with R. T. Smith, editor of the literary magazine Shenandoah. Mr. Smith (no relation) discusses what it’s like to edit a historically prestigious literary magazine, how the Internet has changed the way lit mags operate, and what it’s like to wear the duel hats of editor and writer.

Need another literary magazine fix? Read my review of Salt Hill #22.