editing

I don’t expect a single thing from the writers we publish, other than their words. In fact, I don’t even expect their words, and when talented artists send their work to us over all the other journals saturating the market–especially paying markets–I am both surprised and grateful.

I’ve noticed a shift in some instances toward the idea that writers ought to shoulder part of the heavy lifting literary journals do to keep afloat. This I suspect has largely to do with the fact that some of these journals make little to no profit and are run voluntarily by overworked editors who are themselves writers or have other jobs. I sympathize.

Still, I view each piece we publish in TROn as a great privilege and gift, and if we fail as a journal, it is our burden as the editors; it is in no way a fault of our writers.

That in mind, I’d like to discuss a few of my philosophies as an editor.

• Writers should never be asked to donate the payment they receive. If possible, in any way, shape, or form, pay writers.