Korean Job Discussion Forums

[superacidjax]

I am developing a new literary journal called "The Seoul International Review." It's going to be loosely modeled on The Paris Review and it's going to be published quarterly, with September (Fall 2009) as the first issue.

I wanted to let everyone know in case either you might be interested in submitting short stories (400-5000 words, negotiable in some cases) poems or black and white photos (we are also considering short plays, scripts and reportage as well.) Criticism is also desired, but it will be a "back of the book" feature. We want to put the emphasis on good stories and not good stories of people talking about stories.

Korea is NOT the theme of the journal.. we'll consider stories on any subject, preferably with some international flavor, setting or theme. For example, we are going to publish a great historical fiction story set in Stalin's Russia. The international requirement is flexible, but we'd like to publish stories that would be interesting for an international audience.

The mission of the journal is to promote quality short-form writing to an international audience. Korea lacks many literary journals in English and there is a great demand here, both among expats and the general Korean community.

The journal will be printed in a trade paperback form and available locally (within Korea) as well as internationally through Amazon. I have contacts in two Paris bookstores who have agreed to carry the title and I am working on distribution channels to have the journal carried in various independent books stores in San Francisco, Houston and Kansas City. Eventually, I hope to have the title more widely available, but of course such an endeavor takes time.

�The Seoul International Review hopes to emphasize creative work�fiction and poetry�not to the exclusion of criticism, but with the aim in mind of merely removing criticism from the dominating place it holds in most literary magazines and putting it pretty much where it belongs, i.e., somewhere near the back of the book. I think The Seoul International Review should welcome these people into its pages: the good writers and good poets, the non-drumbeaters and non-axe-grinders. So long as they're good."

Submissions should be sent, preferably in PDF format, to me at [email protected]. We won't be able to pay for stories at first, but contributors will receive a copy of the journal which will be published in a 6x9 trade paperback format. It will be initially distributed to various bookshops around Korea and will be availably internationally via Amazon. We will also have selections from each issue available via our website. (Site is currently under development.)

Regarding copyrights, obviously we want to use the stories in our print and online editions, but the copyright reverts to the writer following publication. We would prefer that stories not have been previously published, but we can make exceptions, depending on the venue of original publication. We are very flexible. Our goal is to publish great writing.

I am also looking for a few people willing to join the team to help with the journal. No pay initially.. but the time commitment won't be that high either. Since I am self-financing this journal, there isn't much money to pay contributors, however, when we sell enough copies and get our non-profit status (and can accept tax-deductible donations,) that situation will likely change. Obviously, anyone that works with the book will get credited within the journal, not to mention it's exciting to be on the ground floor on something that might end up being pretty cool.

Potential assistant editors or graphics people need not live in Korea -- we can work through email, iChat and/or Skype, although Korea-based folks are preferred. I already have a managing editor, but we would be happy to hear from anyone interested in assisting with either page layout, typesetting, copyediting and content.

I'm financing the project from my own pocket at first, but eventually I expect to get some very select advertising as the book becomes more well known. Tenatively, it will be priced at 10,000 won locally and $10 (Amazon.) A four issue subscription will be likely $30 but all of that is currently under development.

Anyway, just thought I'd let everyone know so you can pass along the information to anyone that may be interested in being included in the first issue. Specifically, the call for submissions is the most important part. I have already begun to receive submissions from writers worldwide, but I'd enjoy receiving contributions from you. The deadline for the Fall edition is August 15.

If you have any questions.. please feel free to let me ask.I look forward to hearing from you.

-
Brian Dear
[email protected]
Editor and Publisher
The Seoul International Review

[Juregen]

Thumbs up

Good luck with your enterprise.

[Daegudavid]

Yeah, that sounds awesome.

I'll help you sell it if you need: http://www.daegubooks.com

[AliciaJC]

would you accept visual art submissions? I do mainly drawings and aqueous paintings.

[typo]

bump it up

[Tiberious aka Sparkles]

bump

[I'm no Picasso]

I'd be up for copy editing, if you're still looking for someone. Somewhat of a nerdy hobby of mine. Also, do you have any guidelines, as far as general aesthetics go? That might help with gaining proper submissions, although I understand not wanting to limit things straight off the ground....