Frequently Asked Questions
Actually, these are more occasionally than frequently asked - but we're a fledgling enterprise. If you have any questions that are not addressed here, please don't hesitate to e-mail the managing editor.
How long have you guys been around?
Do you pay your writers?
Is my personal information safe with you?
Will you edit my story/essay/poem extensively before you publish it?
How long will my published work remain accessible on your site?
Editorial Process
At ExPatLit.com, we're convinced that a lit review is only as good as its editorial standards. Too often, small start-ups slip into cronyism, publishing for their friends rather than for a broader audience; such an approach seems unlikely to yield much literary fruit in the long-term.
We happen to like our little journal, and we're confident in its potential. Accordingly, we're committed to three principles:
- Open Submission
- Blind Selection
- Quality First
Open Submission
In accordance with our guidelines, we will accept any original, relevant submissions: no further stipulations. This means that we will thoughtfully consider the work of college students searching for a voice, of missionaries and moms, of engineers and English teachers and retirees who've seen a bit of the world and have something to share.
Blind Selection
We are very serious about this point; we will not surrender to cronyism. Our managing editor, Joe, organizes all submissions and forwards them without author information to the editorial board. The editors read blindly, without knowing the source of the material. All selection decisions are then based on the consensus of the editorial board. This process ensures that we evaluate the quality of each submission in a fair and equitable manner.
Quality First
We are excited to watch our journal grow over the weeks, months, and years to come. But that enthusiasm for growth will never supersede our commitment to excellence. If we receive 300 substandard submissions for a particular issue, and only six that exhibit the superior creativity and technique we're looking for, then we will publish six pieces. We owe this much to our readers and to the writers who graciously share their work with us; quality will always come first.
If you have any questions about our editorial process, please feel free to e-mail us. Thank you!
