Six Questions for Lawrence Tjernell, Managing Editor, Longship Press/Nostos

Nostos: Poetry, Fiction, and Art is a literary journal published by Longship Press, an independent, small-press publishing company located in San Rafael, California. Until recently, we have released two issues of Nostos each year, but due to growing publishing volume, we now publish one issue each year. Typically, each issue is driven by a general theme, and all poetry, short fiction, and fine art of the issue addresses in various ways the theme. The guidelines for submitting poems, short stories, or art are posted on the Longship Press website www.longshippress.com.

SQF: Why did you start this magazine?

Lawrence Tjernell: After concluding my teaching career at College of Marin, I started Longship Press in the hope of bringing local writers' poetry and fiction to a wider audience. Several of my colleagues were excellent writers, and my goal was to provide them with an opportunity for formal publication. This resulted in my launching the journal Nostos. Along the way, I was fortunate to publish not only the local writers but also some well-known poets such as B. H. Fairchild, Louise Glück, Jane Hirshfield, and Robert Hass. Now, we receive submissions from all over the world. 

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

LT:

1. Modern, sophisticated tone

2. An edge of wit

3. A contribution to the idea of the theme

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

LT:

1. sentimentality

2. vague, facile imagery

3. Latinate, polysyllabic diction

4. not checking or following the guidelines for submissions

5. not bothering to check for theme

SQF: What do you look for in the opening paragraphs/stanza(s) of a submission?

LT: Nothing specific. For short fiction, I suppose I look for efficiency.

SQF: Based on your experience as an editor, what have you learned about writing and/or writers?

LT: On average, the writers with whom I have worked have been delightful, supportive, and generous. I have had only a few who are unwilling to work through common issues. The best part of my job is to interact personally with the authors and artists. 

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

LT: What recommendation would you offer to authors considering submitting material to Longship Press?

I would recommend to those interested in submitting to Nostos that they somehow become familiar with the journal in order to decide whether their work or approach is suitable. Buying a copy, or finding one to peruse in a bookstore, or merely checking out the website can make a difference.

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