MISSION
By publishing new fiction, poetry, and nonfiction that is both challenging and inviting, New England Review encourages artistic exchange and thought-provoking innovation, publishing writers at all stages in their practice and experience, and from across all borders. NER is published by Middlebury College, and as a nonprofit organization we rely on subscriptions and charitable donations to support our mission.
The selection of writings in each issue presents a broad spectrum of viewpoints and genres, including traditional and experimental fiction, long and short poems, translations, criticism, essays, reviews in arts and literature, and rediscoveries. At NER, 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 established an affiliation with the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference and adopted the name NER/BLQ (New England Review/Bread Loaf Quarterly). In 1987, the magazine came under full sponsorship of Middlebury College, and in 1990 returned to its original name, New England Review.
The list of writers whose work has been published in NER is long and distinguished. Many highly regarded authors—among them Ann Beattie, Kathryn Davis, Mark Doty, Rita Dove, Jennifer Egan, Louise Erdrich, Jorie Graham, and Garrett Hongo—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 Lea and Parini and current editor-at-large Stephen Donadio (editor 1995 through 2013), former editors and editorial staff include David Bain, Jessica Dineen, Maura High, David Huddle, T. R. Hummer, Devon Jersild, William Lychack, Jim Schley, Jodee Stanley, and C. Dale Young. Toni Best served as office manager for twenty-three years. For current staff, see the masthead.