About

MISSION

By publishing new fiction, poetry, and nonfiction that is both challenging and inviting, New England Review encourages artistic exchange and thought-provoking innovation, while also providing publishing opportunities to writers at all stages in their careers.

The selection of writings in each issue presents a broad spectrum of viewpoints and genres, including traditional and experimental fiction, translations in poetry and prose, criticism, letters from abroad, reviews in arts and literature, and rediscoveries. New England Review exists in a place apart from mass culture, where speed and information overload are the norm. Serious writing is given serious attention, from the painstaking selection process through careful editing and publication, where finally the writer’s words meet up with a curious and dedicated readership.

HISTORY

NER was founded by poets Sydney Lea and Jay Parini in New Hampshire in 1978. In the Fall of 1982 the magazine announced its new affiliation with the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference and its new name, NER/BLQ (New England Review/Bread Loaf Quarterly). In 1987, the magazine came under full sponsorship of Middlebury College. In 1990, NER returned to its original name, New England Review, subtitled Middlebury Series.

The list of writers whose work has been selected for publication in NER is long and distinguished. Many highly regarded authors—among them Jorie Graham, Ann Beattie, Louise Erdrich, and Mark Doty—were published in NER before they achieved international recognition, and works published in the magazine are chosen every year for prestigious awards, including the Pushcart Prize, O. Henry Prize, and inclusion in the Best American anthologies.

In addition to founding editors Jay Parini and Sydney Lea, former editors include David Bain, Maura High, David Huddle, T. R. Hummer, Devon Jersild, William Lychack, Jim Schley, and Jodee Stanley. Toni Best served as office manager for twenty-three years.

Interview with Stephen Donadio, Seven Days (2007)
Boston Globe surveys New England lit mags (2008)
Middlebury Magazine on “The Future of the New England Review” (2009)
Every Writer’s Resource lists top Lit Mags (2010)
Writer’s Relief: Lit Mag Spotlight (2011)
Bookfox: Ranking of Literary Journals (2011)

STAFF

Current editor, since 1995, is Stephen Donadio. Managing editor is Carolyn Kuebler, and poetry editor is C. Dale Young. Lexa deCourval is editorial assistant, J. M. Tyree serves as web editor, and Christopher Ross is VT Reading Series Coordinator.

Our editorial panel includes Rick Barot, Jennifer Bates, Karin Gottshall, Janice Obuchowski, and Paul Otremba. Readers are Joshua Aichenbaum, Ernest McLeod, Tom Paine, Jennifer Shapland, and Rose Whitmore.

We also have three Middlebury College student interns, currently Cedar Attanasio, Nora Fiore, and Nellie Pitoniak. Fall 2011 interns were Jarrett Dury-Agri, Patrick D’Arcy, and Alicia Wright.

Contact New England Review staff at nereview@middlebury.edu.