Literal Latte
Encyclopedia
Literal Latte is a bi-monthly literary journal based in New York City
and edited by Jenine Gordon Bockman. It was founded in June 1994. The journal published its last print edition in July 2003, but has continuously maintained an online version since November 1996. A comprehensive re-design of the site was launched in November 2008.
Among serious, non-commercial literary journals, Literal Latte took an atypical approach to publication and distribution: instead of the customary "perfect bound" journal format, Literal Latte was printed on newsprint
in tabloid format. The relatively low cost of printing on newsprint made it economical for the publishers to distribute the magazine for free at bookstores, universities, and newsstands throughout New York City, thus achieving an unusually high circulation rate for a literary magazine -- as high as 30,000 copies per issue, according to the publishers -- as well as attracting local and (eventually) national advertisers, offsetting the cost of production.
Works published in Literal Latte have subsequently been short-listed for the Pushcart Prize
, Best American Poetry and Best American Essays., The journal sponsors annual essay, fiction, and poetry competitions (as well as the unusual "Food Verse" competition) and presents an annual reading series at the National Arts Club
in Gramercy, Manhattan.
Although Literal Latte has often published pieces from well-known literary writers and poets, it has always placed an emphasis on showcasing unpublished or relatively unknown writers, claiming that "98%" of its published pieces come from "the so-called slush pile
." Submissions are accepted year-round, and simultaneous submissions are permitted.
Notable contributors include Ray Bradbury
, Robert Olen Butler
, Allen Ginsberg
, Lisa Gale Garrigues
, Catherine Ryan Hyde
, Phillip Lopate
, Carole Maso
, Lynne Sharon Schwartz
, Jacob M. Appel
, Gloria Steinem
, and John Updike
.
An anthology of selected works from Literal Lattes fifteen years of publication, entitled The Anthology: Highlights from Fifteen Years of a Unique "Mind Stimulating" Literary Magazine, was published in January 2009..
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and edited by Jenine Gordon Bockman. It was founded in June 1994. The journal published its last print edition in July 2003, but has continuously maintained an online version since November 1996. A comprehensive re-design of the site was launched in November 2008.
Among serious, non-commercial literary journals, Literal Latte took an atypical approach to publication and distribution: instead of the customary "perfect bound" journal format, Literal Latte was printed on newsprint
Newsprint
Newsprint is a low-cost, non-archival paper most commonly used to print newspapers, and other publications and advertising material. It usually has an off-white cast and distinctive feel. It is designed for use in printing presses that employ a long web of paper rather than individual sheets of...
in tabloid format. The relatively low cost of printing on newsprint made it economical for the publishers to distribute the magazine for free at bookstores, universities, and newsstands throughout New York City, thus achieving an unusually high circulation rate for a literary magazine -- as high as 30,000 copies per issue, according to the publishers -- as well as attracting local and (eventually) national advertisers, offsetting the cost of production.
Works published in Literal Latte have subsequently been short-listed for the Pushcart Prize
Pushcart Prize
The Pushcart Prize is an American literary prize by Pushcart Press that honors the best "poetry, short fiction, essays or literary whatnot" published in the small presses over the previous year. Magazine and small book press editors are invited to nominate up to 6 works they have featured....
, Best American Poetry and Best American Essays., The journal sponsors annual essay, fiction, and poetry competitions (as well as the unusual "Food Verse" competition) and presents an annual reading series at the National Arts Club
National Arts Club
The National Arts Club is a private club in Gramercy Park, New York City, New York, USA. It was founded in 1898 to "stimulate, foster, and promote public interest in the arts and to educate the American people in the fine arts". Since 1906 the organization has occupied the Samuel J...
in Gramercy, Manhattan.
Although Literal Latte has often published pieces from well-known literary writers and poets, it has always placed an emphasis on showcasing unpublished or relatively unknown writers, claiming that "98%" of its published pieces come from "the so-called slush pile
Slush pile
In publishing, the slush pile is the set of unsolicited query letters or manuscripts sent either directly to the publisher or literary agent by authors, or to the publisher by an agent not known to the publisher....
." Submissions are accepted year-round, and simultaneous submissions are permitted.
Notable contributors include Ray Bradbury
Ray Bradbury
Ray Douglas Bradbury is an American fantasy, horror, science fiction, and mystery writer. Best known for his dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451 and for the science fiction stories gathered together as The Martian Chronicles and The Illustrated Man , Bradbury is one of the most celebrated among 20th...
, Robert Olen Butler
Robert Olen Butler
Robert Olen Butler is an American fiction writer. His short-story collection A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1993.-Early life:...
, Allen Ginsberg
Allen Ginsberg
Irwin Allen Ginsberg was an American poet and one of the leading figures of the Beat Generation in the 1950s. He vigorously opposed militarism, materialism and sexual repression...
, Lisa Gale Garrigues
Lisa Gale Garrigues
Lisa Gale Garrigues, also published as Lisa Garrigues, is a California writer, journalist, poet, and photographer who covered South America and is a contributing editor for YES! Magazine...
, Catherine Ryan Hyde
Catherine Ryan Hyde
Catherine Ryan Hyde is an American novelist and short story writer. Her novels have enjoyed bestseller status in both the U.S. and U.K., and her short stories have won many awards and honors...
, Phillip Lopate
Phillip Lopate
Doctor Phillip Lopate is an American film critic, essayist, fiction writer, poet, and teacher. He is the younger brother of radio host Leonard Lopate.-Early life and education:...
, Carole Maso
Carole Maso
Carole Maso is a contemporary American novelist and essayist, known for her experimental, poetic and fragmentary narratives often called postmodern. She received a B.A. in English from Vassar College in 1977. She is the recipient of a Lannan Literary Fellowship for Fiction, an NEA fellowship, and...
, Lynne Sharon Schwartz
Lynne Sharon Schwartz
Lynne Sharon Schwartz is a contemporary American writer.She grew up in Brooklyn, the second of three children of Jack M. Sharon, a lawyer and accountant, and Sarah Slatus Sharon; she married Harry Schwartz in 1957. She holds a BA from Barnard College, an MA from Bryn Mawr, and started work on a...
, Jacob M. Appel
Jacob M. Appel
Jacob M. Appel is an American author, bioethicist and social critic. He is best known for his short stories, his work as a playwright, and his writing in the fields of reproductive ethics, organ donation, neuroethics and euthanasia....
, Gloria Steinem
Gloria Steinem
Gloria Marie Steinem is an American feminist, journalist, and social and political activist who became nationally recognized as a leader of, and media spokeswoman for, the women's liberation movement in the late 1960s and 1970s...
, and John Updike
John Updike
John Hoyer Updike was an American novelist, poet, short story writer, art critic, and literary critic....
.
An anthology of selected works from Literal Lattes fifteen years of publication, entitled The Anthology: Highlights from Fifteen Years of a Unique "Mind Stimulating" Literary Magazine, was published in January 2009..