Since the recent editorial changes at Irreantum have been announced, we’ve received some questions about the magazine: where it’s headed, what we envision for its immediate future, and how, as readers and AML members, you can help ensure its success. Here are some answers, as well as some requests.

First, we realize that Irreantum has fallen behind, and that the magazine has been behind for quite some time. The newest issue should be reaching your mailboxes shortly. We feel that Irreantum is an integral part of the AML, and our goal going forward is to deliver a high quality journal to all subscribers in a timely and reliable manner.

We have decided that in order to expedite publication, Scott Hatch will be in charge of one issue a year, and I (Angela) will be in charge of the other issue. Scott plans to have a new issue of the magazine out by the end of the summer (in addition to the issue you should be receiving in the next week or two), and I will be putting together a double issue that will be released the end of November. By 2009, we plan to be completely caught up. Once we’re up-to-date, the magazine will come out twice a year, in the spring and in the fall.

We have some authors—particularly those who have won past fiction contests—who are waiting to be published. We sincerely apologize for the wait. All authors who have been promised publication will be published by the end of 2008 and will either appear in Scott’s late summer issue or my fall issue.

This means we are now actively looking for new work to publish. If you are interested in submitting poetry, fiction, critical essays, or creative nonfiction, please see our submission guidelines at http://www.mormonletters.org/irreantum/submissions.html

If you write fiction or creative nonfiction, please note our two upcoming contests, with deadlines of May 31. You can find contest information at http://www.mormonletters.org/irreantum/contest.html

We are also in need of a fiction editor and a creative nonfiction editor. If you think you’d be a good fit for either of these positions, please send an email to irreantum@mormonletters.org and lets us know of your interest and qualifications. If you know someone who’d be perfect for the job, please forward this message along.

Finally, we want to let you know we appreciate your patience and your interest in the success of Irreantum. We look forward to publishing the best of the best in Mormon literature and criticism and hope to have your participation as readers and submitters. If you have not yet subscribed, or haven’t renewed your membership to the AML, now would be a great time to do so.

Thank you again for your support.

Angela Hallstrom
Scott Hatch
co-editors, Irreantum