Little Magazines: A History of Avant-Garde and Southern Literary Publications
Throughout history, little magazines have served as the vital arteries of the literary world. Unlike commercial publications, these small-scale journals prioritize artistic experimentation and intellectual discourse over profit. From the transcendentalist circles of Boston to the digital blogs of the 21st century, little magazines have provided a sanctuary for voices that challenge the status quo and shape the trajectory of global literature.
Key Facts
- Purpose: Primarily non-commercial, focusing on avant-garde movements and intellectual influence.
- Technological Shifts: Evolved from offset printing to the "mimeo revolution" (1960s), photocopiers (1980s), and eventually digital platforms.
- Southern Influence: Played a critical role in the Southern Renascence and the development of New Criticism.
- Funding: Often subsidized by university endowments, state/federal grants, or personal sacrifice.
- Selectivity: Extremely high submission rates; for example, the Atlanta Review reported 12,000 submissions for every 100 pieces published in 1997.
The Evolution of Independent Publishing
The roots of the little magazine can be traced back to the mid-19th century. Early significant examples include The Dial (1840–44), edited by Ralph Waldo Emerson and Margaret Fuller in Boston, and London's The Savoy (1896), edited by Arthur Symons, which sought to revolt against Victorian materialism. These publications were essential for poets shaping Modernism and Post-modernism—movements characterized by a break from traditional forms of art and narrative.
The production of these magazines underwent several technological revolutions that lowered the barrier to entry for editors:
- The Mimeo Revolution (1960s): The advent of the mimeograph significantly reduced costs. Some editors took unconventional paths to financing; Keith Abbot, for instance, published Blue Suede Shoes while a graduate student at Washington State University by borrowing a machine and using stolen university paper.
- The Photocopier Era (1980s): Commercial services like Kinko's replaced the need for personal mimeograph machines, further democratizing production. During this time, university-sponsored magazines became more common, shifting away from the unaffiliated dominance seen before the World Wars.
- The Digital Turn (21st Century): The transition to blogs, Twitter, and Facebook allowed for low-budget distribution and the introduction of audio-visual content and podcasts.
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Little Magazines in the Southern United States
In the postbellum South (the period following the American Civil War), little magazines were rarely marketed for profit. Instead, they aimed to inform and influence. Professor Bes E. Stark Spangler identified four distinct phases of these publications leading up to World War II.
Phase 1: Preservation of Southern Letters
Immediately following the Civil War, magazines focused on Southern topics and authors to keep the region's literary tradition alive. Examples include Daniel H. Hill's The Land We Love (1866–1869), which blended literature with military history and agriculture, and The South Atlantic (1872–1882), which covered science and art. The Southern Bivouac (1882–1887) was among the last to focus on the "Lost Cause" ideology.
Phase 2: The Reactionary Shift
At the turn of the 20th century, young scholars began using these journals to offer critical views of Southern life. William P. Trent founded the Sewanee Review in 1892, and John Spencer Bassett founded the South Atlantic Quarterly in 1902. Bassett notably risked his professional standing by addressing racial issues and reform within his publication.
Phase 3: The Advent of Modernism
The 1920s saw the rise of the Southern Renascence. Key publications included The Westminster Magazine (1911), Southwest Review (originally Texas Review), and The Fugitive (1922), published by the Vanderbilt University Group. These writers later influenced other major journals, such as The Kenyon Review and the 1935 Southern Review.
Phase 4: Agrarianism vs. Industrialism
By the 1930s, the debate shifted toward the economic future of the South, pitting agrarianism (the belief in a society based on farming) against industrialism. This era was also closely associated with New Criticism, a formalist approach to literary analysis.
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Summary of Notable Southern Literary Magazines
| Magazine Name | Founded/Active | Key Focus or Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Sewanee Review | 1892 | Oldest Southern literary magazine |
| South Atlantic Quarterly | 1902 | Racial issues and reform |
| The Fugitive | 1922 | Vanderbilt University Group |
| Southwest Review | 1915 (as Texas Review) | University of Texas / SMU |
| The Southern Review | 1935 | Agrarianism and New Criticism |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a "little magazine"?
A little magazine is a small-scale, typically non-commercial publication devoted to literature, poetry, and avant-garde art. They often serve as platforms for experimental writing that mainstream publishers might reject.
How did the "mimeo revolution" change publishing?
The mimeograph machine significantly lowered the cost of printing in the 1960s, allowing independent editors to produce magazines without needing expensive professional printing presses.
What was the Southern Renascence?
The Southern Renascence was a period of literary flowering in the American South during the early 20th century, supported by little magazines like The Fugitive and The Double Dealer.
How are little magazines typically funded?
Because they are rarely profitable, many are subsidized by university endowments, state or federal grants, and foundations, often relying on unpaid staff.
What is the difference between agrarianism and industrialism in the context of these magazines?
In the 1930s, Southern little magazines became forums for debating whether the region should maintain its traditional farming-based economy (agrarianism) or embrace the growth of factories and urban industry (industrialism).