Six Questions for Rachel Evelyn Sucher and Claire S. Lee, Co Editors-in-Chief, Counterclock Journal

Counterclock Journal is an online literary & art publication founded in summer 2017 dedicated to showcasing high-quality poetry, fiction, nonfiction, visual art, and cross-genre work. Read the complete guidelines here.

SQF: Why did you start this magazine?

Counterclock Journal: Our mission at COUNTERCLOCK is to heal, destigmatize, and empower through writing and art, to explore the diversity, complexity, and resilience of the human experience.


SQF: What are the top three things you look for in a submission and why?

CJ:

1. Poetry and prose with a consciousness to language without sacrificing a clear narrative. Oftentimes, we will receive submissions (usually poetry) with clear attention to language but no plot/story. We look for works that strike a balance between the two; these are the pieces that remain in our minds weeks later.
2. Work that is real, vulnerable, and makes us feel a connection towards the author/narrator. 
3. An ending that leaves a heightened sense of awareness of the world around us.

SQF: What most often turns you off to a submission?

CJ: Our biggest turn-offs include erotica, purposeless profanity or violence, and overly pedantic language.


SQF: What magazines/zines do you read on a “regular” basis?

CJ: We love reading Tinderbox Poetry Journal, TRACK//FOUR, American Poetry Review, Adroit Journal, Divedapper, Muzzle, and THRUSH.


SQF: Many editors list erotica, or sex for sex sake, as hard sells. What are hard sells for your publication?

CJ: We don’t have any hard sells. We are always looking to expand our definitions of art, and most anything is fair game to be considered for publication.


SQF: What one question on this topic do you wish I'd asked that I didn't? And how would you answer it?

CJ: What’s one piece of advice you would give to an emerging writer looking to get their work published?

Read the publication’s submission guidelines and archives to get a sense of what they like to publish. You can also look towards publications who will give feedback with submissions. Though COUNTERCLOCK is not able to give feedback on every submission, we do our best to give feedback on as many submissions as we can with a relatively quick turnaround time.

Thank you, Rachel and Claire. We all appreciate you taking time from your busy schedule to participate in this project.