Trolley journal / NYS Writers Institute


Type Of Publisher
Online
Genres Published
Essays, Fiction, Poetry, Visual Art
Year Established
2017
Address
Albany, NY
Mission Statement / Editorial Focus
A web magazine of essay, opinion, literature, culture, and politics, published by the New York State Writers Institute based at the University at Albany.​ ​ Trolley began with an idea from Pulitzer Prize-winning author and NYS Writers Institute founder William Kennedy, who envisioned an online literary journal published free of charge in which each issue's words and images related to a single theme.
Accepts Unsolicited Submissions
Yes
Average Unique Visitors Per Month
1000
Do You Have Any Cover Letter Advice?
Avoid pedantic, academic writing, please.
What Do You Look For In A Submission?
Storytelling is key. Hold our attention. Our director, Paul Grondahl, author of several books, and our founder, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist William Kennedy, both started at newspapers. They write clean. Avoid flowery anything. Try that approach.
What Advice Do You Have For First-time Submitters?
Send your submissions to your friends and ask for honest critiques. Developing a writing voice takes thousands of pages and years of practice. Also, read back issues of the publications to see if your style is their style.
Do You Have A Favorite Unsolicited Submission Discovery Or Anecdote?
One of my favorite Trolley essays was written by a former student and intern who has autism. I was delighted to feature his piece in our journal as a shining example of inclusiveness of our Trolley writing community.
Who Is Your Ideal Reader?
Our ideal reader enjoys a diverse collection of voices and styles. S/he savors good storytelling.