Thank you for this. (I'll caveat by saying I've published in LARB.) The quote about how they've never interviewed a diverse group of candidates for an editor position really got to me. I've been talking about this for so long. The majority of editors at the major literary journals and magazines are white. And the few BIPOC editors out there are not empowered and supported. I recently sent out an essay on submission, about women of color's experience of racism, and the only two editors, at major publications, who wanted to publish it were two women of color (ultimately their publication didn't support them). Every other editor who read it was white and it was immediately rejected.
Agreed. I have been pretty much blocked from every major outlet, even progressive ones, for being openly pro-Palestine. I pitched this piece everywhere. I was there the whole night when the UCLA encampment was attacked. I saw the media lying and building a false narrative that helped fuel that attack. I'm amazed no one was killed. Yet, it could only find a home in the smallest of outlets.
Amazing that Rob Latham being fired by the university of Iowa as a tenured prof for sexually harassing male students didn’t make it into this piece. It makes his “himbo” tantrum ironic at best.
I worked on a piece with an editor for four months, did extensive research, read five books cover to cover, had a fulfilling back and forth and we were both very happy with the piece. By the way, all this was for the $100 that they recommended you give back to the LARB for the functioning of the company (from what I’ve noticed they seem to have taken this line off their website). The editor I worked with then showed it to the current EIC and when I received her notes, I pulled the piece. I have worked at a major literary magazine for years and written for many, the demands she was making of writers, while also basically not paying them was like nothing I’ve ever seen before. I’m really happy to see this piece, the tweets, and these stories come out - this institution exploits writers, and as we are learning their staff too, and it’s wholly unforgivable.
so in my recent experience (last week) when they send you the contract now and info about payment ($100) there is a box to check indicating that you want to donate the payment to their "writers' fund"
In my case they approached me, asked for a review of the latest in a series of historical novels. (I’m a historian by training and they specifically said they wanted a historical rather than just literary perspective). So I had to read the previous books in the series (bought at my own expense of course), in order to fairly review the new one. Long story short they killed the piece (for being “too historical”). I was not offered a kill fee either. One of the most unprofessional encounters I have had as a book critic.
Insanely unprofessional. They don’t seem to have a clear idea of what they want until it comes to a piece that doesn’t suit the exact whims of the EIC - which she communicates after the fact (to both the writer and the editor) - and then the paper knows exactly what it wants and suddenly makes demands as if they are The New Yorker.
I AM SCANDALIZED! such a terrific read. also wildly depressing. and beautifully reported. I can't believe the section editor payola business I'm so sad about it all. so many editors and writers deserve so much better. The LA literary community deserves better!
I attended the first year of the LARB workshop in 2017. I found it helpful and informative. I met a number of the editors you mentioned who were there in 2017. They were all incredibly knowledgeable. Perhaps they’ve changed the format but I never felt like I was interning while attending it. I can’t comment on the internal dynamics you mentioned though.
im glad you had a positive experience! i’ll try to look into it and see if my sources were misleading me here, but its possible the experience just varies year to year?
Really fantastic piece, thanks for writing it! LA writers are some of the best out there, & it’s disgusting that LARB leadership is acting like finance bros without regard for dignity or craft or respect for the city they’re supposed to champion
the thing about the summer workshop/internship is so funny and sinister. because, when we take a step back, it makes sense to pay for a workshop. however, i remember seeing it while scrolling instagram, and it was ABSOLUTELY advertised as an entry level gig for someone like me, looking to get into publishing in LA. it wasn't until i actually clicked through the link that I realized I'd started signing up for a class at a publication i don't particularly care about. great piece!
The "I’m a journalist, writer, and life-long Angeleno. But I also occasionally publish other writers here. (And my rates are higher than LARB’s.) " in your latest substack post had me HOLLERING
My only objection to this otherwise immaculate piece is that Kronk from Emperor's New Groove is my Platonic ideal himbo and now I'm worried I may mentally associate him with the IDF
this installment has everything: niche media drama, a mention of my own essay (tysm), the words "idiotic IDF sniper himbo"
you are my ideal reader!! and writer!!
This is a great piece! And such a pity, because LA deserves a great literary magazine
i think so too!!!
"She told each of the five poets individually that the other four had agreed to the editor’s note." GASPED!!!!!!
This is devastatingly good
it’s soo diabolical
Thank you for this. (I'll caveat by saying I've published in LARB.) The quote about how they've never interviewed a diverse group of candidates for an editor position really got to me. I've been talking about this for so long. The majority of editors at the major literary journals and magazines are white. And the few BIPOC editors out there are not empowered and supported. I recently sent out an essay on submission, about women of color's experience of racism, and the only two editors, at major publications, who wanted to publish it were two women of color (ultimately their publication didn't support them). Every other editor who read it was white and it was immediately rejected.
And of course, in light of all of this, their response to the genocide is the least surprising.
Agreed. I have been pretty much blocked from every major outlet, even progressive ones, for being openly pro-Palestine. I pitched this piece everywhere. I was there the whole night when the UCLA encampment was attacked. I saw the media lying and building a false narrative that helped fuel that attack. I'm amazed no one was killed. Yet, it could only find a home in the smallest of outlets.
https://newpol.org/issue_post/on-the-student-barricades/
Probably made the most ridiculous faces while reading this out in public. Wow 😮💨
same with me while reporting it
Amazing that Rob Latham being fired by the university of Iowa as a tenured prof for sexually harassing male students didn’t make it into this piece. It makes his “himbo” tantrum ironic at best.
i thought about including it but felt it may be a distraction. i’m regretting it a little.
You should’ve. He did a lot of damage over the years.
I worked on a piece with an editor for four months, did extensive research, read five books cover to cover, had a fulfilling back and forth and we were both very happy with the piece. By the way, all this was for the $100 that they recommended you give back to the LARB for the functioning of the company (from what I’ve noticed they seem to have taken this line off their website). The editor I worked with then showed it to the current EIC and when I received her notes, I pulled the piece. I have worked at a major literary magazine for years and written for many, the demands she was making of writers, while also basically not paying them was like nothing I’ve ever seen before. I’m really happy to see this piece, the tweets, and these stories come out - this institution exploits writers, and as we are learning their staff too, and it’s wholly unforgivable.
so in my recent experience (last week) when they send you the contract now and info about payment ($100) there is a box to check indicating that you want to donate the payment to their "writers' fund"
i had a similar experience w LARB editor.
In my case they approached me, asked for a review of the latest in a series of historical novels. (I’m a historian by training and they specifically said they wanted a historical rather than just literary perspective). So I had to read the previous books in the series (bought at my own expense of course), in order to fairly review the new one. Long story short they killed the piece (for being “too historical”). I was not offered a kill fee either. One of the most unprofessional encounters I have had as a book critic.
Insanely unprofessional. They don’t seem to have a clear idea of what they want until it comes to a piece that doesn’t suit the exact whims of the EIC - which she communicates after the fact (to both the writer and the editor) - and then the paper knows exactly what it wants and suddenly makes demands as if they are The New Yorker.
"During [Redacted]’s performance review, Medaya did an extended, approximately three-minute impersonation of [another editor] as a baby." Just...why.
it’s a gooooood question
I AM SCANDALIZED! such a terrific read. also wildly depressing. and beautifully reported. I can't believe the section editor payola business I'm so sad about it all. so many editors and writers deserve so much better. The LA literary community deserves better!
they really do. i hope this inspires some change at the leadership level!!!
I attended the first year of the LARB workshop in 2017. I found it helpful and informative. I met a number of the editors you mentioned who were there in 2017. They were all incredibly knowledgeable. Perhaps they’ve changed the format but I never felt like I was interning while attending it. I can’t comment on the internal dynamics you mentioned though.
im glad you had a positive experience! i’ll try to look into it and see if my sources were misleading me here, but its possible the experience just varies year to year?
excellent piece, FWIW a pie-sit is just when a hot woman sits on a pie with her bare ass, you can extrapolate the rest lmao
she did a split on the pie in this case
now i don’t see what’s wrong with that
i’m in the front row of that pic, visibly having a great time. beats me 🤷♀️
LMAO thank you. i guess as much but the internet wasn’t very helpful!
Really fantastic piece, thanks for writing it! LA writers are some of the best out there, & it’s disgusting that LARB leadership is acting like finance bros without regard for dignity or craft or respect for the city they’re supposed to champion
He also models part time.
the thing about the summer workshop/internship is so funny and sinister. because, when we take a step back, it makes sense to pay for a workshop. however, i remember seeing it while scrolling instagram, and it was ABSOLUTELY advertised as an entry level gig for someone like me, looking to get into publishing in LA. it wasn't until i actually clicked through the link that I realized I'd started signing up for a class at a publication i don't particularly care about. great piece!
The "I’m a journalist, writer, and life-long Angeleno. But I also occasionally publish other writers here. (And my rates are higher than LARB’s.) " in your latest substack post had me HOLLERING
💅
My only objection to this otherwise immaculate piece is that Kronk from Emperor's New Groove is my Platonic ideal himbo and now I'm worried I may mentally associate him with the IDF