SMC’s national literary arts journal, published twice yearly, showcases the works of established authors alongside emerging writers. Founded by novelist and SMC English instructor Jim Krusoe (Blood Lake, Toward You), the Review has presented readers experimental, thoughtful, and funny works of fiction and nonfiction—including essays and short stories by Gary Amdahl, Michelle Latiolais, and Diane Lefer—during more than 20 years of publication, and is considered a leading West Coast journal. Recent work has been selected for the annual Best American Short Stories and PEN/O. Henry anthologies.
The Spring 2012 issue, edited by Andrew Tonkovich, features work by new and previous contributors, including novelists Tara Ison (A Child Out of Alcatraz), Rhoda Huffey (The Hallelujah Side), and Ben Ehrenreich (Ether); short story writers Dwight Yates (Bring Everybody) and Roberto Ontiveros, a frequent contributor. SMC Creative Writing workshop alumna Cynthia Prochaska contributes a comic story about a writing teacher who destroys books, and JJ Strong destroys Los Angeles in an earthquake. Michael Guista (Brain Work) offers a heartbreaking family story, and California poet/essayist Christopher Buckley (Cruising State) escapes drudgery and difficult people who are making him ill. First-time contributor Michelle Chihara constructs a television show “pitch” that undermines reality and encourages imagination.
Editor Tonkovich notes a mix of traditional and avant-garde writing in this issue, and points to the magazine as a venue for all genres. “As long as the work is smart and engaging, I think readers are willing to go along for the ride, whether it’s a cutting-edge experiment or a traditionally told story. At least a couple of these pieces suggest bigger tales, perhaps eventually to appear as novels somewhere.”
Spring 2012 cover art: LA punk artist Mark Vallen.
Copies may also be ordered by mail and subscription.
Santa Monica Review | $7/issue | $12/year subscription