“Pastoral” by John Beardsley: A Review
Published in Vol. XXXVI, no. 1, John Beardsley’s poem “Pastoral” is reviewed by an editor of Mid-American Review. As we enter Beardsley’s “Pastoral,” we take from the simple and familiar title a sense of impending rural comfort. The compendium of our experience with the pastoral rushes forward and leaves us anticipating a romantic exploration of...
Accepted: “The Barnum Interview” by Michael Hurley
In the poem “The Barnum Interview,” Michael Hurley crafts an imaginative interview with P.T. Barnum, who becomes a completely unlikeable—but strangely seductive—speaker. As with all well-done persona poetry, Hurley’s Barnum casts an unusual view of the world, but one the reader wants to believe could be real. Barnum’s observations accumulate into character, perhaps most chillingly...
An Interview with writer Sam Martone
In this interview, Former fiction editor Lydia Munnell chats with Sam Martone. Martone’s fiction story “Night Watch at the House of Death” appears in Volume XXXVI, issue 1. I’m interested in the way ideas happen for writers—do stories start with an image or a character or a situation or are they fully formed for you?...
An interview with Christina Duhig, author of “Lesson” (by Coral Nardandrea)
I was a Gender Studies major in college, and I’m a person who, generally, just cares. It’s difficult for me, as an assistant editor on the MAR staff, to pass up a poem that speaks to something bigger and manages to remain artistic. Any of us can say an alarming amount of women are murdered...
Accepted: “No Paper Cowboys” by Bryn Agnew
In our “Accepted” column, Mid-American Review editors discuss why they selected stories, poems, or essays for publication. In this post, Fiction Editor Tom Markham discusses the marvelous “No Paper Cowboys.” Genre: short fiction Title: “No Paper Cowboys” Author: Bryn Agnew MAR Issue: 36.1 First Line: “Your parents stand on the porch as you park your car under the...
Accepted: Night Watch At The House of Death by Sam Martone
In our “Accepted” column, Mid-American Review editors discuss why they selected stories, poems, or essays for publication. In this post, Fiction Editor Lydia Munnell discusses a story that appears in our Fall 2015 issue. Genre: Short fiction Title: Night Watch at the House of Death Author: Sam Martone MAR issue: 36.1 While reading or discussing work with...
Accepted: “Inaccurate (self)Portraits of Water by the Artist Victor Vaughn” by Travis Vick
In our “Accepted” column, Mid-American Review editors discuss why they selected stories, poems, or essays for publication. In this post, Assistant Fiction Editor Lydia Munnell discusses a story that appears in our Fall 2014 issue. (Above image: Ollbac) Genre: Short fiction Title: “Inaccurate (self)Portraits of Water by the Artist Victor Vaughn” Author: Travis Vick MAR issue: 35.1...
Accepted: “Porch Light, Moonlight, or the Neighbor’s Bedroom”
In our “Accepted” column, Mid-American Review editors discuss why they selected stories, poems, or essays for publication. In this post, Assistant Poetry Editor Jenelle Clausen discusses a poem that appears in issue 34.2. This will be the final “Accepted” entry for 34.2; stay tuned for columns from 35.1. Genre: Poetry Titles: “Porch Light, Moonlight, or...
Accepted: “War Stories” by Lesley Nneka Arimah
In our “Accepted” column, Mid-American Review editors discuss why they selected stories, poems, or essays for publication. In this post, Fiction Editor Laura Maylene Walter discusses a story that appears in our Spring 2014 issue. Genre: Short fiction Title: “War Stories” Author: Lesley Nneka Arimah MAR issue: Spring 2014 First line: “This time, my mother...
Accepted: “Tracking the ‘Choose Life’ Balloons: Our Findings Thus Far” by Brian Costello
In our “Accepted” column, Mid-American Review editors discuss why they selected stories, poems, or essays for publication. In this post, Managing Editor Sasha Khalifeh discusses a story that appears in our Spring 2014 issue. Genre: Fiction Title: “Tracking the “Choose Life” Balloons: Our Findings Thus Far” Author: Brian Costello MAR Issue: Vol. XXXIV, Number 2...
Accepted: “At the End of the Street” by Jeff Oaks
In our “Accepted” column, Mid-American Review editors discuss why they selected stories, poems, or essays for publication. In this post, Assistant Poetry Editor Jenelle Clausen discusses a poem that appears in our Spring 2014 issue. Genre: Poetry Title: “At the End of the Street” Author: Jeff Oaks MAR issue: Vol. XXXIV, Number 2 (Spring 2014)...
Accepted: “Close Enough to See” by Roger Sollenberger
In our “Accepted” column, Mid-American Review editors discuss why they selected stories, poems, or essays for publication. In this post, past Fiction Editor Jason Marc Harris discusses a short story that appears in our Spring 2014 issue. Genre: Short fiction Title: “Close Enough to See” Author: Roger Sollenberger MAR issue: Vol. XXXIV, Number 2 (Spring...