Welcome to the first issue of the Southern Literary Messenger. Our aim in publishing it is to bring together in one place diverse forms of writing on diverse subjects, presented in such a way as to enliven the full breadth of a reader’s interest.
For the debut, the editor has felt compelled to write somewhat more than he prefers, but has done so in order that it might be well-supplied. But our efforts have been seconded by Matt Beck, John Correll, Sean Porter and John Reilly.
We have besides introduced several regular departments. Each month will feature quotations selected for their style and intelligence and grouped by topic. This issue, for example, features a collection of quotations on mirrors, by Oscar Wilde, Oliver Onions and Jorge Luis Borges.
We will also carry the monthly “Gleanings”, summaries and notices from print periodicals and the internet.
Each issue will have, besides full-length critical reviews, a collection of short notices, drawing the reader’s attention to odd or interesting books, new and old.
We hope that the reader who happens on this issue will send us his response for reproduction in the next. We believe that the Messenger will be good fodder for discussions and are very willing to host them. Any comments or corrections may be sent to comment@southernliterarymessenger.com.
Please enjoy what we hope will be the first of many offerings.
