One thing about the Internet: nothing about it is ever standing still. A few weeks ago, we began to tinker with a KR Blog. Not for public distribution mind you. Just tossing things around electronically, as it were, and in-house. I’m attracted to, fascinated by blogs, their immediacy, their reach, their conversation. We wanted to see what was possible. How about a literary blog that was about more than gossip? Something that would convey interesting information, practical responses and advice, insta-reviews. Lots that we haven’t even begun to fathom as yet.
Anyway, within a few days the mouse had scampered out of the bag. Somehow people in the outside world were reading and responding to and creating links with the KR Blog.
So, belatedly it seems, here’s the public announcement: ta-da. The KR Blog. We’ve assembled a diverse and interesting team under the leadership of Meg Galipault and Liz Lopatto. I’ll be putting in my two cents, especially offering items and stray thoughts from an editor’s perspective. And I especially look forward to seeing replies and postings from you out there. And away we go.
Those of you who’ve read my editor’s notes and other missives over the years know how important the notion of a literary community is to me. Writing is–must necessarily be–a solitary, difficult, often anguishing process. And reading too is something we typically do on our own. Who hasn’t had the experience of reading something wonderful and electric and immediately wanted to share that feeling, that piece of writing with others, a best friend, the world?
For me, it’s increasingly important part of The Kenyon Review’s mission to create a community of readers and writers across time and space. Through our writing programs, our website, the readings and special events we sponsor, the journal itself of course, and now through this new blog, we’re reaching out to make the joy–and it’s a serious joy–of literature something that more and more people can share.