FAQ

Header by Tony Drewery

1. What do you do with your profits when you make them?

All profits go back into the magazine and its projects.

2. How can I donate?

All donations to the magazine should be submitted through the Tip Jar on the website. Please do not donate cash.

3. How are submissions handled?

All submissions must be submitted through Submittable or, in very rare cases, to the managing editor through kate@bigbendliterary.com

4. How will magazines be distributed to buyers?

Magazines will be distributed by mail through the magazine’s online shops.

5. Who gets free copies?

Contributors, editors, and other volunteers will each receive a free copy of the magazine they contributed to. Donors who donate over the amount of the cost of the magazine and shipping costs will receive a free copy. Certain people, nonprofits, schools, libraries, or other charitable organizations will receive free copies of the magazine at the discretion of the managing editor as a courtesy to the community.

6. I have a great lead for you! Who do I contact?

When receiving a solid lead on a potential curated piece or interview, contact the managing editor at kate@bigbendliterary.com

Editor Roles

Managing Editor

curating content; managing social media and networking; managing sales, printing, and the business of the magazine; managing submissions; delegating tasks; recruiting editors; serving as the final authority on content; ensuring a distinct and similar layout for both print and electronic editions; seeking to publish diverse new voices alongside already well established and distinguished artists; working on a publishing deadline to ensure timely delivery of online and print content; engaging team members as fellow decision-makers; identifying alignment, cross-promotion, and programming opportunities by working with guest editors and other artists on issues, portfolios, events, and other projects; creating both print and electronic editions and tasking other staff with edits after the general layout is created; ensuring ongoing features and supporting guest editors; and more.

Assistant Editor

assists the managing editor; promoting and networking; responsible for a specifically assigned subject-area of the magazine (i.e. photography OR art OR fiction, etc.); give feedback/advice regarding creative concepts of the magazine; point interested parties to the website and submissions process; check print and electronic editions for macro-mistakes (i.e. layout issue, visuals off, etc.); discuss fresh, new, original ideas for the magazine with fellow editors/managing editor; assist with clerical elements of the electronic edition, such as adding links to features onto the front page, ensuring the electronic edition works seamlessly, checking for the same text format on each page, copying and pasting appropriate footers to each page, assisting with uploading the appropriate visuals to the electronic layout, etc.; point interested buyers to the shop or managing editor; researching legitimate grant and donor opportunities and submitting this information for review to the managing editor; assist in choosing the cover photo/art for the print edition; may serve as tie-breaker on pieces that are undecided

Nonfiction/Journalism Editor

help plan the nonfiction content of the publication as well as edit nonfiction contributions; correct spelling, grammar and punctuation errors and may shorten sentences or paragraphs to make them more clear and concise for the reader. check for continuity in stories; comment on the clarity and effectiveness of writing of each submission, provide insight for improvements when appropriate; proof final electronic and print editions for grammatical errors (alongside fiction and managing editor); assist in obtaining/brainstorming ideas for articles, interviews, documentaries, etc.; assist in choosing the quotes for the back cover of the print edition and for social media posts; may serve as tie-breaker on pieces that are undecided

Poetry Editor

will read, edit, and provide feedback on poetry submissions; help choose the content of the publication; comment on the clarity and effectiveness of writing of each submission, provide insight for improvements when appropriate; may serve as tie-breaker on pieces that are undecided; assist in choosing quotes for back covers of print edition

Photography Editor

Help plan the photo content of the publication as well as assist in obtaining high-quality images of the chosen photo; help plan the layout of full photographer features; assist in choosing the art/photo for the cover of the print edition and social media posts; may serve as tie-breaker on pieces that are undecided

Fiction Editor

help plan the fiction content of the publication as well as edit fiction and creative contributions; corrects spelling, grammar and punctuation errors and may shorten sentences or paragraphs to make them more clear and concise for the reader. check for continuity in stories; comment on the clarity and effectiveness of writing of each submission, provide insight for improvements when appropriate; proof final electronic and print editions for grammatical errors (alongside nonfiction and managing editor); assist in choosing the quotes for the back cover of the print edition and for social media posts; may serve as tie-breaker on pieces that are undecided

Art Editor

Help plan the art content of the publication as well as assist in obtaining high-quality images of chosen artwork; help plan the layout of full artist features; assist in choosing the art/photo for the cover of the print edition and social media posts; may serve as tie-breaker on pieces that are undecided

Assistant (Art, Poetry, Nonfiction, etc.)

Assist the main editor of the said area with choosing submissions for publication; may serve as tie-breaker on pieces that are undecided; depending on role, may also assist in choosing cover/photo art

Guest Editor

Help curate content for specific features; choose content from submissions to Guest Feature; give feedback and creative advice on specific feature; has relatively full control over the artistic elements of the Guest Feature