"Something Unusual Going On." A Chat with Euan Monaghan, Editor of Structo

Netherlands-based Editor takes us into the world of his magazine

TGIF, friends! And another interview is in the books!

Today I chatted with Euan Monaghan, who joined us from The Netherlands, and is Editor of Structo Magazine. Euan and I corresponded now and then back when I was running my lit-mag review site, The Review Review. It was a treat to finally meet in person. Such a lovely little lit mag world, this is!

Here we talked about the kind of work Structo is seeking. Euan described a preference for writing that innovates in interesting ways. Stories with elements of the speculative or “slipstream” are always welcome, so long as it’s not too heavily in the sci-fi genre category. Likewise, character-driven literary fiction is welcome, but please no stories that are extremely competent while lacking spontaneity and pizzazz.

Euan talked about a story from their last issue, “Field of Vision,” by Hisham Bustani, (translated by Thoraya El-Rayyes) as typifying the kind of fiction that excites. It’s atmospheric and offers a unique perspective. To understand more of what they’re looking for in submissions, Euan recommended reading their interviews with writers they admire such as Iain Banks, Margaret Atwood, Zaffar Kunial and more.

Structo has changed recently. They ditched Submittable, and so they can now afford to pay writers. Additionally, they will switch to a format of publishing one new story, essay, poem or group of poems each week.

There is no fee to submit. However, submitters must upload a photo of a lit mag they’ve recently purchased or read along with their submission. This ensures that submitters are engaged in the reading of lit mags. Euan says this process has increased the quality of submissions, and also lets him and the other editors know about some other great lit mags.

Structo is open to hearing from people who want to read for the magazine. If you’d like to get involved, you can drop them a line.

They are open to submissions now until January 31st.

To everyone who came out today to watch the interview and ask questions, thank you! Your faces are the delight of my day!

And, of course, thanks so much to Euan for taking the time to take us behind the scenes of another nifty little mag.

Happy viewing!

Reminder: Our next Q & A will be with Thom Didato, Editor of failbetter, on Monday, January 10th at 10am est. Register here.