So far this semester, each of the interns has been assigned one physical literary journal and one online-only literary journal to read, review, and present on. They have ranged from historic physical journals such as Kenyon Review, Southern Review, and Virginia Quarterly Review to exclusively online journals such as storySouth and Blackbird.
However, I have found that these journals all feature the same sort of writing – fiction, poetry, nonfiction, reviews, and sometimes dramas and translations. While the writing published in these journals is always exemplary, it often isn’t particularly appealing to less serious readers. This is especially true among younger demographics, such as college students and young adults.
As a college student myself, I will be the first to admit that when I read for pleasure, I often don’t go for fiction, poetry, or literary journals. I open up my laptop and read blogs and websites. One of my most frequented sites is Grantland.com. Grantland, which is partnered with ESPN, was launched this summer by columnist Bill Simmons and is named after venerated sportswriter Grantland Rice (“For when the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name, He writes—not that you won or lost—but how you played the Game.”).
Grantland is particularly interesting in relation to our class because of the content it publishes and because the first issue of its literary journal, Grantland Quarterly, will be be published in November.
In an ESPN press release, the site was announced as a “much anticipated sports and pop culture web site” that would offer “a mix of original columns, long-form features, blog posts, and podcasts.” Furthermore, that same press release name-dropped the site’s lead editor (Dan Fierman, current senior editor of GQ), two deputy editors (Lane Brown, former editor of Vulture.com; Jay Caspian Kang, fiction writer and contributor to theAtlantic.com and theawl.com), and three consulting editors. These consulting editors are all well-known, best-selling authors: Chuck Klosterman, Malcolm Gladwell, and Dave Eggers.
Even before the site launched, it established itself as more than just a simple sports blog. It aimed to be something more. Since its launch, audiences have responded quite positively. Grantland is ranked the 723rd most popular website in America, according to Alexa rankings. And, unsurprisingly, the site appeals more to men, childless college graduates and those under the age of 35, according to Alexa.
Grandland’s popularity is likely due to its balance of lowbrow humor alongside serious sportswriting and pop culture criticism. The website blogs about stupid YouTube videos (“Today in Terrible YouTube Videos”), and publishes a weekly “reality TV fantasy league” column (in which sportswriters draft reality TV contestants who earn points for outrageous behavior) as well as legitimate articles that are both interesting and thought-provoking.
For example, a recent article on a CFL quarterback, “The Best Passing Quarterback Ever” could belong in Sports Illustrated or Esquire. Hua Hsu’s article on Radiohead and the Occupy Wall Street Movement is certainly suited for Rolling Stone or Spin. And Colson Whitehead’s four-part creative nonfiction piece about the World Series of Poker (“Occasional Dispatches from the Republic of Anhedonia”) could easily find itself in a literary journal comparable to Shenandoah.
McSweeny’s will publish Grantland Quarterly as a bona fide physical journal this November. Its publication is particularly notable considering the purpose of our class and internship.
Grantland Quarterly blurs the line between web and physical journal both in terms of content and presentation. While most online literary journals publish fiction and poetry pieces that would seamlessly fit into a physical journal such as Kenyon Review or the print edition of Shenandoah, most of Grantland Quarterly’s content was originally intended only for the web.
The physical presentation of the journal is original, as well. It will feature posters, pull-out sections, baseball cards, and mini-booklets. Furthermore, the cover will mimic the look and feel of a basketball with rubberized, bumpy skin. These features are far more reminiscent of a glossy magazine than any sort of literary publication.
Much like the website itself, the journal includes a mix of thoughtful articles and lowbrow gimmicks. However, it is unquestionably a literary journal. Included in issue one are Whitehead’s piece on the World Series of Poker, Malcolm Gladwell’s piece on the NBA lockout, Chuck Klosterman’s unearthing of a wild North Dakota junior college basketball game, and new fiction from Jess Walter. The writing is dead-serious and high quality.
The Shenandoah internship has helped me and my classmates understand the current landscape of literary journals. Grantland Quarterly is undoubtedly influenced by both traditional print journals and contemporary web journals, but it cannot be seen in the same light as either. Its publication is so exciting because of the new territory it explores in the world of literary journals. I am looking forward to it, and I hope you are too.