Reading & Writing

This page contains a collection of literary journals from throught the Silk Routes regions, poetic forms, writing residencies, literary festivals and societies, and journals interested in translation. This is not a complete list, but is meant to serve as a starting point for those readers and writers interested in region's literature, languagues, and creative communities.

Literary Journals:

 

Arab

Arab Literature (in English)

Link: http://arablit.org

 

Banipal

Link: http://www.banipal.co.uk/

“Banipal magazine showcases contemporary Arab authors in English translation, from wherever they are writing and publishing….”

China

MaLa

Link: http://www.mala-literary-journal.com/

“MaLa – the China Bookworm Literary Journal is an annually published online journal based in Chengdu, China. Our objective is to bring to the forefront the variety of voices and perspectives emerging from China through short fiction, literary non-fiction, translated works from Chinese to English, poetry and visual art. We operate mutually with the Bookworm’s mission to spread art and culture, and share individual insights.”

 

Egypt

Rowayat

Link: http://www.rowayat.com/

“Rowayat, or stories, in colloquial Arabic, is the first English language literary journal in Egypt. We are innovative, groundbreaking and cultural leaders with an aim to unravel Egypt's treasure trove of contemporary literature to the rest of the world...”

 

Hong Kong

Asia Literary Review

Link: http://www.asialiteraryreview.com/

“The Asia Literary Review is an independent quarterly literary magazine publishing the best contemporary writing from and about Asia, in English and in translation.”

 

Cha

Link: http://www.asiancha.com/

“Cha, founded in 2007, a decade after the handover, is the first Hong Kong-based English online literary journal; it is dedicated to publishing quality poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, reviews and photography & art. Cha has a strong focus on Asian-themed creative work and work done by Asian writers and artists. It also publishes established and emerging writers/artists from around the world.”

 

Renditions

Link: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/rct/renditions/

“Renditions is the leading international journal of Chinese literature in English translation, covering over 2000 years of Chinese literature from classical works of poetry, prose, and fiction to recently published works by writers representing the rich variety of contemporary Chinese literary expression. Articles on art, Chinese studies and translation studies are frequently included. Each issue is illustrated with complementary art, calligraphy and photographs.”

 

Yuan Yang

Link: http://www.english.hku.hk/yuanyang/yuanyang.htm

“Yuan Yang: A Journal of Hong Kong and International Writing is a literary journal hosted by the School of English at The University of Hong Kong. Each year it offers a collection of stories, poems, creative nonfiction, or plays by writers in Hong Kong and throughout the world. The journal has a special focus on the work of young and emerging writings in Hong Kong.”

 

India

Muse India

Link: http://www.museindia.com/index.asp

“Started and run by a group of writers, Muse India is a literary e-journal with the primary objective of showcasing Indian writings in English and in English translation to a broad-based global readership.”

 

Sahitya Akademi

Link: http://sahitya-akademi.gov.in/sahitya-akademi/journals/indianliterature.jsp

“Indian Literature, Sahitya Akademi's bimonthly journal, is India's oldest and the only journal of its kind featuring translations in English of poetry, fiction, drama and criticism from twenty-three Indian languages besides original writing in English.”

 

The Book Review

Link: http://www.thebookreviewindia.org/journal.php

“The Book Review, India’s first review journal in English, was started in 1976 by Chitra Narayanan, Uma Iyengar and Chandra Chari . It provides critical, in-depth reviews of books published in India and abroad on a variety of subjects — social sciences, humanities, fiction, management, environment, art, culture, science and children’s literature thus rendering a signal service to book lovers and scholars all over the country, including the small mofussil towns where access to the latest publications is difficult.”

 

The Caravan

Link: http://www.caravanmagazine.in

“The country’s first and only publication devoted to narrative journalism, The Caravan occupies a singular position among Indian magazines…”

 

The Indian Quarterly

Link: http://indianquarterly.com

“IQ is a national and international magazine. We hope that just as The New Yorker exhibits a distinctly Manhattan sensibility and always contains articles about New York City, IQ will manifest the fact that it is edited and published in Mumbai through its cosmopolitan and open-minded perspective on the world and on India.”

 

 

Indonesia

I.Lit

Link: http://www.i-lit.net

“Indonesian Literature in Translation (I-Lit) is an independent, non-profit website published by the Lontar Foundation. I-Lit's primary aim is to make Indonesian literature in (English) translation accessible to an international audience.”

 

Lebanon

Rusted Radishes

Link: http://rustedradishes.com/

“Rusted Radishes: Beirut Literary and Art Journal features exclusive works from a diverse collection of emerging and established writers and artists whose colorful pieces form a striking cross-genre collage of fluid symbols of the Lebanese psyche in poetry, prose, drama, and art….”

 

Nepal

La.Lit

Link: http://www.lalitmag.com

“La.Lit is a literary magazine that celebrates the beauty of writing. We believe in the power of stories to change people’s lives, and feature original and translated fiction, non-fiction, and poetry; photography and graphic art; and exclusive interviews and news from the world of literature....”

 

Himal Southasian

Link: http://himalmag.com/

“Himal Southasian is published by the not-for-profit The Southasia Trust, Lalitpur, Nepal. It is Southasia’s first and only regional news and analysis magazine. Stretching from Afghanistan to Burma, from Tibet to the Maldives …”

 

Pakistan

Jadeed Adab

Link: http://www.jadeedadab.com/

Urdu Literary Magazine

 

Urdu Digest

Link: http://urdudigest.pk/

“Urdu Digest is a monthly Urdu magazine in Pakistan. It is first digest in Pakistan and was first published in November 1960 in Lahore. …” (From Wikipedia)

 

 

South Asia

CATAMARAN

Link: http://www.catamaranmagazine.com/home1.htm

“CATAMARAN: SOUTH ASIAN AMERICAN WRITING -- a biannual literary PRINT magazine publishing works by new and upcoming South Asian creative artists (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Nepali, Bhutanese, Maldives) in North America.”

 

Poetic Forms

Japan

(Thanks to Jeffrey Angles)

 

 

Kyrgyzstan

(Tanks to Kanykei Kalieva)

  • Akyn’s poetry:  A special kind of folk poetry. Akyn – is a folk poet and singer-improviser, who accompanies his singing with musical instrument called komuz.
  • Epic poetry: Manas, Semetey and Seitek, trilogy of great epic compositions.
  • Aitysh: The most important part of ancient Kyrgyz poetry is the unique phenomenon of the oral-written tradition, dated approximately between the 16th and 20th centuries, specifically the oral-written tradition of the dialogic competition genre.
  • Ritual poetry: It is divided into two groups: (1) a cult poetry and (2) occasional poetry, or family household, everyday life poetry: (1) Cult poetry includes different kinds of rituals and ceremonies, supposedly asking for blessings to be protected from natural disasters and diseases. (2) Occasional or everyday life poems as one of the forms of ritual poetry performed during a night guard livestock.
  • The most common, developed and popular genre of contemporary Kyrgyz poetry is the poems and songs of lyrics. Lyrical songs are created as poems first and are usually performed without instrumental or accompanied by komuz.

 

South Korea

(Thanks to Don Mee Choi)

Residencies

China

M Literary Residency

http://www.m-restaurantgroup.com/mbund/Ms_residency.html

“The M Literary Residency Programme, fully funded by M Restaurants, grew from our Literary Festivals, as we heard from writers about what was needed to nurture and produce the best writing in this region…”

India

Sangam House

http://www.sangamhouse.org

“Sangam House is an international writers' residency program located in India which brings together writers from across the world to live and work among their peers in a safe, supportive and nurturing space.”

 

Thailand

Koh Tao Writers Retreat

http://www.kohtaowritersretreat.com

“... Whether you have been journaling and want to compile your experiences into a memoir, would like to try your hand at selling travel writing pieces, or have a fantasy novel that you’ve been neglecting for five months, this writers retreat can help without breaking the budget. …”

 

Turkey

AIMA Retreat

http://www.aimaretreat.com/index.html

“AIMA Retreat offers artists, writers and all creative idividuals a peaceful, inspiring atmosphere directly on the sea where they can begin, pursue or accomplish the work they love. We welcome people of all ages and nationalities, and at all stages of their professional development to apply. The Retreat’s aim is to provide guests and artists an atmosphere of tranquility, comfort and inspiration. AIMA’s aim is to encourage artistic exploration, nurture creative thought, and create bonds between diverse thinkers.”

 

Babayan Foundation

http://boumanbk.home.xs4all.nl/turky_en.html

“In the Babayan Culture House, Cappadocia, Turkey you can stay in all seasons except in the winter. This former village farmhouse has comfortable cave rooms in an authentic Turkish village. The residency is the starting point for the most beautiful walkings in a fascinating nature. One can get inspired and make art or follow an art workshop in good studios. The Babayan Culture House is a professional community based art–residency and welcomes artists from all over the world.”

Literary Festivals and Societies

 

China

The Bookworm Literary Festival

Link: http://bookwormfestival.com/

 

“The Bookworm Literary Festival (BLF), now in its 9th year, is an annual celebration of literature and ideas, bringing together diverse voices from around the world. We are privately funded and independently run, and are dedicated to providing a platform for honest and topical discourse and debate....”

India

Chandigarh Literary Society

Link: http://chandigarhliterary.blogspot.com/

 

“The Chandigarh Literary Society (CLS) is a not-for-profit registered body formed with the aim of promoting literature and creative writing in the region. CLS serves as a network of creative minds, nurturing talent and bringing together writers, publishers, intellectuals, students and scholars. It organizes local, regional, national and international level workshops, meetings, conferences, interactive events and competitions. ...”

 

Delhi Poetry Festival

Link: http://delhipoetryfestival.org/index.html

 

“Delhi Poetry Festival, the largest poetry festival of our country brings forth not only the established poets of literary world or the renowned names of Bollywood industry,but also the aspiring poets, who have an urge to stand out in the world of words with their poetry. ...”

 

ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival

Link: http://jaipurliteraturefestival.org/

 

“As the largest FREE literary festival on earth, the ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival brings together some of the greatest thinkers and writers from across South Asia and the world….”

 

Indonesia

Asian Literary Festival

Link: http://www.aseanliteraryfestival.com/

 

“The ASEAN Literary Festival is the first cultural event where all ASEAN countries, which share proximity, similarities in culture and literature as well as sharing history of being colonized, level of democratization and economic development, gather in one literary festival as one community of literature and culture….”

 

UBUD Writers and Readers Festival

Link: http://www.ubudwritersfestival.com/

 

“Held annually in Ubud, Bali’s artistic and cultural heartland, the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival has become Southeast Asia’s largest and most renowned cultural and literary event...”

 List of Journals Interested in Translation

 

91st Meridian

Link: http://iwp.uiowa.edu/91st/index.html

“91st Meridian is an electronic publication of the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa, in Iowa City (41° 38' N /91° 33' W). It appears intermittently, and aims to contribute to general reading beyond the (national, linguistic, cultural) borders of the Anglophone sphere.”

 

The Absinthe Literary Review

Link: http://iwp.uiowa.edu/91st/index.html

 

Circumference

Link: http://circumferencemag.org/

“Circumference is a journal whose mission is to support poetry in translation; primarily translations of new work from around the globe, new visions of classical poems, translations of foreign language poets of the past who have fallen under the radar of American readers, and pieces that illuminate translation as a vibrant, necessary interaction. Through our website we facilitate conversations about international literature and translation in real-time, and promote dialogues that enliven our sense of what it means to bring new work into English.”

Alchemy

Link: https://alchemy.ucsd.edu/

“Alchemy is committed to publishing quality, contemporary translations of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction creative writing.”

 

Arroyo

Link: http://arroyoliteraryreview.com/

“Arroyo Literary Review is a print-based publication produced annually by students and alumni of California State University, East Bay. Each issue reflects the creative diversity found in the San Francisco Bay Area literary scene, while bringing together material from an international array of poets, writers, and artists.”

 

Asymptote

Link: http://www.asymptotejournal.com/index.php

“Asymptote is an exciting new international journal dedicated to literary translation and bringing together in one place the best in contemporary writing. We are interested in encounters between languages and the consequences of these encounters.”

 

Banipal, Magazine of Modern Arab Literature

Link: http://www.banipal.co.uk/

“Banipal magazine showcases contemporary Arab authors in English translation, from wherever they are writing and publishing.”

 

Brooklyn Rail InTranslation

Link: http://intranslation.brooklynrail.org/

“The Brooklyn Rail welcomes you to our web-exclusive section InTranslation, where we feature unpublished translations of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and dramatic writing. Launched in April 2007, InTranslation is a venue for outstanding work in translation and a resource for translators, authors, editors, and publishers seeking to collaborate.”

 

Chicago Review

Link: http://chicagoreview.org/

“International submissions and work in translation are particularly encouraged.”

 

Cipher Journal

Link: http://www.cipherjournal.com/html/home.html

“We believe in the place of translation to inspire stronger literature; without cross-fertilization, no growth can last. We aim to focus on literary translation in its broadest sense, cracking open this often-neglected field by melding the invisibility of the translator with the identity of the artist.”

 

Circumference

Link: http://circumferencemag.org/

“Circumference is a journal whose mission is to support poetry in translation; primarily translations of new work from around the globe, new visions of classical poems, translations of foreign language poets of the past who have fallen under the radar of American readers, and pieces that illuminate translation as a vibrant, necessary interaction. Through our website we facilitate conversations about international literature and translation in real-time, and promote dialogues that enliven our sense of what it means to bring new work into English.”

 

Exchanges

Link: http://exchanges.uiowa.edu/

“We publish translations of poetry, short or excerpted fiction, plays, and literary nonfiction.”

Ezra

Link: http://www.ezratranslation.com/

“Ezra -- An Online Journal of Translation, is a forum for poetry and translation. We hope to stimulate the under-explored arts of reading in other tongues and translating for an English audience. We aim both for new knowledge of world writers and for the creation of beautiful new works. Ezra is interested in any form, style, tone or era.

 

We dedicate ourselves to the spirited interplay of cultures, and to the presence of the laurel itself in the act of literary translation: to the transformative, promethean, synthesizing essence of poetry.”

 

Guernica

Link: https://www.guernicamag.com/

“Guernica contributors come from dozens of countries and write in nearly as many languages.”

 

The Iowa Review

Link: http://iowareview.org/

“We publish a wide range of fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, translations, photography, and work in emerging forms by both established and emerging writers.”

 

K1N: Journal of Literary Translation

Link: http://k1nlitra.ca/k1n/index.php?opt=2&l=En

“In an effort to showcase a wide range of literatures, K1N welcomes translations of literary texts—from any language—into English, French, Spanish or Portuguese.”

 

The Malahat Review

Link: http://www.malahatreview.ca/index.html

“The Malahat Review, established in 1967, is among Canada’s leading literary journals. Published quarterly, it features contemporary Canadian and international works of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction as well as reviews of recently published Canadian poetry, fiction, and literary nonfiction.”

 

MANOA

Link: http://www.hawaii.edu/mjournal/

“Launched in 1989, MANOA strives to bring the literature of Asia, the Pacific, and the Americas to English-speaking readers...”

 

MAYDAY Magazine

Link: http://maydaymagazine.com/index.php

“Published by New American Press, MAYDAY Magazine presents new poetry, fiction, nonfiction, translations, commentary, and visual art to an international community of readers.”

 

Metamorphoses

Link: http://www.smith.edu/metamorphoses/index.html

“Metamorphoses is the journal of the Five College Faculty Seminar on Literary translation. Published in the spring and fall, the journal provides a forum for literary translation out of (and into) all languages, and for papers on the theory and practice of literary translation.”

 

Mid-American Review

Link: http://casit.bgsu.edu/midamericanreview/

“Mid-American Review is an international literary journal dedicated to our mission of publishing the best contemporary fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and translations.”

 

Nimrod

Link: http://utulsa.edu/nimrod/index.html

“Nimrod is published twice a year and features the best new poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction. Our spring issue is thematic and often dedicated to writers from one region of the world; we have devoted issues to China, India, Australia, Vietnam, the Celtic Fringe, and Mexico, as well as many other regions and countries.”

 

Ozone Park Journal

Link: http://ozoneparkjournal.com/

“Ozone Park is a biannual online journal of new writing. We publish poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, plays, literary translation, and art by emerging and established writers and artists…”

 

Pratilipi

Link: http://pratilipi.in/

“Pratilipi is an independent journal founded in April 2008 by Giriraj Kiradoo, Rahul Soni and Shiv Kumar Gandhi. Its first 13 issues have presented works of more than 400 writers from more than 30 languages across the world.”

 

Prism International

Link: http://prismmagazine.ca/

“PRISM international is a quarterly magazine out of Vancouver, British Columbia, whose mandate is to publish the best in contemporary writing and translation from Canada and around the world.”

 

Rattapallax

Link: http://www.rattapallax.com/

“Rattapallax, Inc. is a  publisher and film production company. It is the only literary organization dedicated to issues of globalization, literature, poetry and films. Our goals are to create international dialogue using literature & cinema and focus on what is relevant to our society.”

 

Reunion: The Dallas Review

Link: http://www.utdallas.edu/ah/reunion/

“For over two decades, Reunion: The Dallas Review (formally Sojourn) has been dedicated to finding and publishing exceptional examples of previously unpublished short fiction, drama, visual art, poetry, translation work, non-fiction, and interviews. Published annually each fall, our mission remains cultivating the arts community in Dallas, Texas, and promoting the work of talented writers and artists both locally and across the globe.”

 

Silk Road

Link: http://silkroad.pacificu.edu/

“Silk Road Review: A Literary Crossroads publishes vibrant, well-crafted fiction, essays, poetry, and translations that explore human dynamics and social transformation that occur in a particular place—an Internet chat room, a school in Africa, and American home, or any story-rich location in the world.

We are especially interested in works exploring diversity, migration, immigration, and diaspora and internationally relevant writing. Join us on the Silk Road, where cultures collide, place is a defining influence, and stories are prized more than gold.”

 

Stonecutter

Link: http://www.stonecutterjournal.org/

“STONECUTTER is a print journal of US-based and international art and literature. Published in Brooklyn NY.”

 

St. Petersburg Review

Link: http://www.stpetersburgreview.com/

“St. Petersburg Review is an annual independent international review of contemporary literature that seeks to support global connections and affinities through publishing quality fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama from writers of all countries.”

 

Subtropics

Link: http://subtropics.english.ufl.edu/

“ubtropics seeks to publish the best literary fiction, essays, and poetry being written today, both by established and emerging authors. We will consider works of fiction of any length, from short shorts to novellas (up to 15,000 words) and self-contained novel excerpts. We give the same latitude to essays. We appreciate work in translation and …”

 

Tampa Review

Link: http://www.ut.edu/TampaReview/TRDetail.aspx?id=12582

“Art, poetry, fiction, essays, translations, and conversations from Florida and the world . . .”

 

Tripwire

Link: http://tripwirejournal.com/

“Looking for: essays (on contemporary writing, performance, and art), experiments in criticism, poetics statements and investigations, interviews, translations, black and white art work, long-form review essays (that consider several books or authors linked around central themes or questions), performance scores, etc.”

 

TriQuarterly

Link: http://www.triquarterly.org/

“We are especially interested in work that embraces the world and continues, however subtly, the ongoing global conversation about culture and society that TriQuarterly pursued from its beginning in 1964.”

 

Two Lines Journal

Link: http://twolinespress.com/

“Two Lines publishes original translations into English, and essays on languages, literatures, and the translation process. We consider all submissions for both the bi-annual print edition and Two Lines Online, which is published twice a year in conjunction with the print issues. While our only guiding principle is excellence, we are especially excited to receive work from less commonly translated languages or regions.”

 

Verse

Link: http://versemag.blogspot.com/

“Founded in Oxford, England in 1984, Verse is an international journal that publishes poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and visual art.”

 

Wasafiri

Link: http://www.wasafiri.org/

“Wasafiri is Britain’s premier magazine for international contemporary writing. Published quarterly, it has established a distinctive reputation for promoting work by new and established voices across the globe.”

 

Words without Borders

Link: http://www.wordswithoutborders.org/index.php

“Founded in 2003, Words without Borders promotes cultural understanding through the translation, publication, and promotion of the finest contemporary international literature…”

 

Words Literature Today

Link: http://www.worldliteraturetoday.org

“he mission of World Literature Today, the University of Oklahoma's bimonthly magazine of international literature and culture, is to serve the international, state, and university communities by achieving excellence as a literary publication, a sponsor of literary prizes, and a cultural center for students.”

 

Zoland Poetry Annual

Link: http://www.zolandpoetry.com/index.html

“My mission for Zoland Poetry is the same as it was for Zoland Books; bring into print work that I believe matters, work by new as well as veteran writers, writers that take me by storm. I see a political side in everything around me, political in the sense of humanism, a viewing of the world through a host of languages and literary styles.”