Put your eds together

I keep reading how literary journals aren't a great moneymaking venture; further denting the resolve of writers hoping to make a living from their work. Yet at Overland we see, in addition to editor Jacinda Woodhead, a consulting editor, a fiction editor, a poetry editor, a deputy editor, contributing editors, a contributing fiction editor, editorial intern, 32 editorial assistants fiction, 18 editorial assistants poetry in addition to staff performing other functions and the Board.

Southerly, which is thicker than Overland in the copies I have, has an Editor and Special Editor plus an editor for that issue's tribute to a departing editor, an Associate Editor, Poetry Editor, fiction and poetry readers, Reviews Editors, 9 Editorial Advisers, and the usual complement.

Meanjin has an editor, deputy editor, fiction editor, poetry critic, copy editor and proofreader (the same person) and an editorial advisory board of eight members, quite well known.

You could read this section at the front that people don't read as a sign of just how much work is being submitted and what a thriving industry it is. It just does beg the question that, if you have seven senior staff and fifty plus other assistants to pay, the scale as to what is profitable is relative. I know nothing I've done could pay that many people, leaving aside the double duties or unpaid contributions wherever they occur.

It is only fair to use successful publications and leading journals since that is how we have approached every field, every endeavour.

II

The practical issue for me is in dealing with Toby Fitch who appears to be everywhere.