"We are Such Close Readers." A Chat with Hasanthika Sirisena, Editor of West Branch

Editor of Bucknell University's lit mag takes us behind the scenes

The final February editor interview is in the books, friends!

Today I had the joy of speaking with West Branch Editor Hasanthika Sirisena. West Branch is housed at Bucknell University and publishes fiction, poetry, nonfiction and visual art three times a year, in print and online. Work from the journal has appeared in Best American Short Stories and the Pushcart Prize Anthology.

What is this premier lit mag looking for in submissions? Well, if you are an emerging writer with no publications yet, they very well could want you. As Hasanthika discussed, this lit mag is extremely open to new writers. They are not interested in your cover letter or whether you have published anywhere else before. The journal was founded by two MFA students who wanted to highlight the work of emerging writers and has adhered to that principle since its inception.

I was curious how West Branch could be both a “top-tier” lit mag and also provide a home for so much emerging talent. (Afterall, aren’t the pages of top tier journals supposed to be filled with Big Names and Famous Authors with Bios Ten Miles Long?) Hasanthika credited the magazine’s success to editors who read every single piece with tremendous care and attention.

In considering what to accept for publication, the editors consider factors such as a work’s quality as well as the conversation the piece is engaged in, topics the piece tackles and its overall worldview. Through this process, the editors have been able to find not only incredible emerging talent but also writers of diverse backgrounds, interests, and of all ages.

Also, while many university-affiliated lit mags are facing hardship these days, Hasanthika assured us that West Branch is “still going strong.” The journal receives about 50-60 submissions per week. Every single submission is read with care. Submissions are open from August to April.

What does Hanasthika want to see more of in submissions? What is one thing writers should not do when submitting to this magazine (and all literary magazines)? Should writers who have been rejected from West Branch try again and again?

All that and more in today’s interview.

To everyone who came out today, ah, you know I love to see you!

Thank you to Hasanthika for taking the time to bring us into the world of another lovely little magazine.

Happy viewing!