Class Post 1/26

     I spent most of my weekend working on a project for another class, a literary journal review.  Let's just say I wasn't thrilled about this, but actually I ended up reading most of the stories in the journal and enjoyed being curled up, reading short stories from some very talented authors.
     The journal I reviewed was titled  ZYZZYVA.  I suppose the unusual name is what drew me to this publication initially; the inside cover includes this dictionary entry:
                                                             Zyzzyva(ZIZ-zi-va)n. Any of various tropical American weevils of                                                         the genus Zyzzyva, often destructive to plants. The last word in
                                                        certain dictionaries.
    If I had to guess, I’d say the title of the publication is derived from the later, rather than the former.
    The guidelines for publication are limited to West Coast writers and artists only, specifically  Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon or California. The publication’s website states that they have been publishing West Coast writers (and the occasional author east of California) since 1985, and focus specifically on prose, poetry and visual art.  No reason is given for this exclusivity, but given the location of the publication (San Francisco), this seems logical.
     Zyzzyza accepts submissions year round, and they request submissions in full; no previews or inquiries.  There are no maximum page requirements.  No information is given regarding payment for submissions, but they do offer unpaid internships, which they highlight on their page.
    Zyzzyza is published three times yearly, in April, September and December. The edition I reviewed is the Winter 2011 edition, No. 93, and the ratio of prose to poetry was fairly equal; each category had seven selections represented, along with two nonfiction essays and one play. Scattered throughout the issue was photography from a photojournalist’s trip to Vietnam.  The edition also highlighted two fictions by never before published writers.
     One of the “huzzahs” for this journal caught my eye: “If you have never subscribed to a little magazine, this is a great place to start. Recommended for all.”  Elle Magazine affirms this sentiment; “Gracefully skirts the line between hip and highbrow”.  Yet another endorsement from USA Today reads “Unusually pleasing to the sensibilities”.  I would have to absolutely agree.  Much detail is given to the publication; the text font is even custom made specifically for Zyzzyza.  The pages are recycled ecru, and have the weight that makes you want to pick up the book and read.  Even the smell of ink, which so often is associated with small publications on non-slick paper, is tantalizing to my senses.
    As for the content of the poems and prose, I do not see any specific unifying element save the geographic locations of their authors.  There is a variety of writing style and content.
    The only drawback of this publication in my opinion is that the first several pages are advertisements for local businesses in the San Francisco area.  But even this is somewhat cool, since they are quirky businesses, such as Small House Rikyu, a company that specializes in building 144 sq ft homes out of salvaged wood.
    There is no facepage or letter from the Editor, but the journal hardly needs one.  Picking up this publication was like catching up with an old friend and picking up right where you left off, even if you’ve never met.