"I am There to Go Along with You on This Journey." A Chat With Anita Gill, Nonfiction Editor of Hypertext
Hypertext Nonfiction Editor shares what she likes to see in submissions and more
TGIF, dear ones! I come with tidings of our first fall interview, newly in the books.
Today I had the great fun of chatting with Anita Gill, Nonfiction Editor of Hypertext. This magazine “publishes original, brave, and provocative narratives of historically marginalized, emerging, and established writers online and in print.”
Anita is somewhat new to the journal, which began in 2010. It was at a writing residency where she met Founding Editor Christine Rice. After spotting Christine drinking bourbon from a mason jar, Anita knew she wanted to befriend the editor and was soon excited to get more involved in the magazine.
As Nonfiction Editor, Anita divides the submissions between herself and a few other readers. What she is looking for is work that addresses familiar subjects in new and inspired ways. She cited “Fragility” by Dylan Emmons as an example of a recent piece that tackled the subject of drug use in a manner that was uniquely interesting and memorable.
Anita is also moved by language. She said, “I love language that wakes me up from sleep.” Humor and satire are also styles that she loves.
The mention of humor compelled me to ask Anita to wear her Writer Hat for a moment, as I wanted to know how she works humor into her own nonfiction pieces. What advice does she have for writers who want to write funny pieces? How does one get into the proper headspace to adjust the tone of a piece and make it more humorous? What makes something successful as a piece that is both humorous but also resonant and powerful?
For Anita’s terrific answers to these questions and many more, you’ll have to watch the video!
Hypertext publishes both online and print. For nonfiction, Anita is looking for memoir pieces and personal essays.
The magazine publishes fiction, nonfiction and poetry, though the poetry is solicited and not open to submissions. For fiction and nonfiction, submissions are open from September - May. They are capped at 100 submissions per month, so if you don’t submit in time one month, be sure to mark your calendar for the first of the following month.
All contributors are paid. Response time is 3-4 months. The next issue will be released this winter.
To all who came in and asked such thoughtful questions, thank you! Your faces are the bright diamonds in my jagged rough!
And, of course, thank you to Anita for taking the time to peel back the layers of another exciting little magazine.
Happy viewing!
To see more upcoming interviews and info sessions and to register, click here.