Periodically Speaking: Literary Magazine Editors Introducing Emerging Writers at The New York Public Library

New York, NY—The Council of Literary Magazines and Presses [ clmp ] and The New York Public Library present Periodically Speaking, a reading series providing a major venue for emerging writers to present their work while emphasizing the diversity of America's literary magazines and the magazine collections of The New York Public Library. Each event presents writers from three influential literary magazines—one fiction writer, one poet, one nonfiction writer—introduced by their editors.

American Short Fiction
Founded in 1991, American Short Fiction was published until 1998 by the University of Texas. During its initial run, ASF was a two-time finalist for the National Magazine Award in Fiction. Acquired by Badgerdog Literary Publishing, ASF resumed publication in 2006. Four times a year, the magazine's editors aim to discover and publish new fiction in which transformations of language, narrative, and character occur swiftly, deftly, and unexpectedly. Writers in ASF include Joy Williams, Benjamin Percy, Vendela Vida, and Jess Row. Since its relaunch, stories have been anthologized in Best Nonrequired Reading, New Stories from the Southwest, and included in the Best American Short Stories list of "100 Other Distinguished Stories."

Editor Rebecca Bengal introduces fiction writer Laura van den Berg.

The New York Quarterly
Since its foundation in 1969 by editor William Packard, The New York Quarterly has been devoted to excellence in the publication of a most eclectic cross-section of contemporary American poetry. Their only concern has been to focus on the craft and technique that underlies any and all effective poetry writing.

Editor Raymond Hammond introduces poet Ira Joe Fisher.

AGNI
In 2001 PEN America awarded AGNI founding editor Askold Melnyczuk its lifetime achievement award for magazine editing, saying, "Among readers around the world, AGNI is known for publishing important new writers early in their careers.... AGNI has become one of America's, and the world's, most significant literary journals" and "a beacon of international literary culture." Housed at Boston University and edited since 2002 by essayist and literary critic Sven Birkerts, AGNI publishes two 240-page issues annually.

Senior editor William Pierce introduces nonfiction writer Ben Miller.

This series is made possible in part by support from the New York State Council for the Arts, a state agency; The New York Public Library; and Friends of [ clmp ], a diverse group of individuals committed to supporting independent literary publishing.

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