Posted by Eli Flam on September 03, 19100 at 13:44:02:
Andrew Dayton invited me to post a comment or two, for example on why we at Potomac Review chose his short story, "Fall," for--as it happens--our fall issue. Actually, the story, under a different title, was accepted almost a year ago, but the exigencies of publishing a quarterly played their role in timing--and even with 128 pages per issue the process of choosing prose--of all categories, long and short--plus poetry and artwork (black & white only)--is very competitive.
"Fall" attracted immediately with its individual voice, sure-footed yet unobtrusive narrative and steady grasp of both place and people, especially for the very young hero. Working in and around a child's mind and being always is a tricky proposition; Dayton handled this very well, all the more with a character to whom things are happening, or let us say, who is affected by events and developments beyond his immediate awareness, much less the ability or opportunity to change or even affect them.
At the same time, the original story seemed to us somewhat long (our stated limit--see www.meral.com/potomac for submission guidelines--is 3,000 words), and a few usage questions presented themselves, but a ready and productive dialogue developed quickly between Dayton and myself. The editorial process often is an active one, but if approached in an objective, understanding way it can prove advantageous for the story itself--the chief goal, after (or before) all--and for the spirits of the participants.
To paraphrase Walt Whitman very broadly, a good magazine needs good writers and good readers. We welcome both for nonprofit Potomac Review, "the magazine of literature & nature" whose fall issue--which includes winning and runner-up stories and poems from across the country in
our 5th annual writing contest--will be in area bookstores soon after Labor Day or available from P.O. Box 354, Port Tobacco, MD 20677, $5 a copy, $18 a year's subscription). "Each issue," says The Washington Book Publishers, "reflects an 'earthy' quality and wide-ranging taste in essays, fiction, artwork, poetry, books reviews, interviews, and photography." Here's wishing you good reading, and good writing.
Thanks for this opportunity, and best regards -- Eli Flam, Editor/Publisher, Potomac Review