Asian Pacific American Lit Pubs

I am trying to remember when the Asian Pacific American Journal stopped printing; it's been a few years now. So APAJ ceased publication, and then Kearny Street Workshop, who for years were one of very few independent publishers dedicated to Asian American writing, ceased the publication arm of their programming. This sounded quite dire to me, the possibility that Asian Pacific American specific venues for print publication seemed to be going the way of the dinosaur.

Fortunately for all of us, there's a relatively new crop of Asian Pacific American publication growing in e-world.

Here's three:

1. Kartika Review

From their mission statement: Kartika Review serves the Asian American community and those involved with Diasporic Asian-inspired literature. We scout for compelling Asian American creative writing and artwork to present to the public at large. Our editors actively solicit contributions from established virtuosos in our community in hopes their works here will inspire the next generation of virtuosos. We also want to promote emerging writers and artists we foresee to be the future powerhouses of their craft. Ultimately, Kartika strives to create a literary forum that caters to and celebrates the wordsmiths of the Asian Diaspora.

They've just released Issue 7 (Spring 2010), in print and two e-formats (HTML and PDF), featuring J. A. Pak, Peter Tieryas Liu, Victor Luo, Vuong Quoc Vu, Eugenia Leigh, Barbara Jane Reyes, Aimee Suzara, Amanda Griffith, Thai Le Nguyen, Michael S. Janairo, Tasha Matsumoto, and Josh Stenberg. Author Interview: Ed Lin, author of Snakes Can't Run (2010); This Is A Bust (2007); Waylaid (2002). MEDITATIONS ON HOME, essays by established APA voices, Elmaz Abinader, Peter Bacho, Alexander Chee, Justin Chin, Tess Gerritsen, Porochista Khakpour, Don Lee, Min Jin Lee, Yiyun Li, Ed Lin, David Mura, Shawna Yang Ryan, Lac Su, Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai, Thrity Umrigar, Sung J. Woo, and Bryan Thao Worra.

2. The Asian American Literary Journal

From their mission statement: The Asian American Literary Review is a space for writers who consider the designation “Asian American” a fruitful starting point for artistic vision and community. In showcasing the work of established and emerging writers, the journal aims to incubate dialogues and, just as importantly, open those dialogues to regional, national, and international audiences of all constituencies. We select work that is, as Marianne Moore once put it, “an expression of our needs…[and] feeling, modified by the writer’s moral and technical insights.” Published biannually, AALR features fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, translations, comic art, interviews, and book reviews.

They have just released their first issue, which features forum responses by David Mura, Ru Freeman, and Alexander Chee; poetry by Cathy Song, Oliver de la Paz, Paisley Rekdal, April Naoko Heck, Mong-Lan, Nick Carbo, Eugene Gloria, and David Woo; Karen Tei Yamashita interviewed by Kandice Chuh; prose by Ed Lin, Marie Mutsuki Mockett, Sonya Chung, Hasanthika Sirisena, David Mura, Gary Pak, and Brian Ascalon Roley; and book reviews by Paul Lai, Timothy Yu, and Jennifer Ann Ho. To purchase a subscription, visit www.aalrmag.org. Please direct any questions to [email protected].

And last but not least:

3. Lantern Review

From their mission statement: Lantern Review aims to serve the literary community by providing a virtual space in which to promote and discuss the work of contemporary Asian American poets and artists. We seek to publish expertly crafted work in a variety of forms and aesthetics, including traditional and experimental pieces, hybrid forms, multimedia work, and new translations. We welcome pieces from anglophone writers of all ethnic backgrounds whose work has a vested interest in issues relevant to the Asian diaspora in North America, as well as work created collaboratively in a community context.

They are still accepting submissions for their inaugural issue (you can find submission guidelines here). As well, do visit their excellent blog, featuring interviews, book reviews, writing prompts, and a comprehensive national calendar of literary events.