Rutgers–Camden Acquires Esteemed Magazine Story Quarterly

CAMDEN –  For more than 30 years, Story Quarterly has been publishing emerging and established writers like Joyce Carol Oates and T.C. Boyle.

Now, the venerated print annual resides at Rutgers University–Camden, which has acquired Story Quarterly and will continue its legacy of excellence.

J.T. Barbarese, an associate professor of English at Rutgers–Camden, where he teaches poetry in the newly established master of fine arts program in creative writing, will serve as editor. Rutgers–Camden novelists Lisa Zeidner, professor of English, and Lauren Grodstein, assistant professor of English, will serve as assistant editors. Marie Hayes, who edited Story Quarterly for the past decade will remain with the journal as senior contributing editor.

Founded in 1975, Story Quarterly began as an independent quarterly based in Illinois. Works originally published in the magazine have been selected for inclusion in the annual collections The Prize Stories: The O. Henry Awards, The Pushcart Prize: The Best of the Small Presses, and The Best American Non-Required Reading. Acclaimed writers who have contributed to the journal include Margaret Atwood, Anne Beattie, Frederick Busch, and Jhumpa Lahiri.

As editor, Barbarese intends to continue the annual Story Quarterly format by publishing its first Rutgers–Camden hard-copy edition in early summer 2009. An online presence to be established later this month will also showcase additional new work year-round. Barbarese says the magazine will consider creative nonfiction and look to make the interview a staple feature.

Long-term funding for the publication has already been secured, thanks to Pulitzer-Prize winner Richard Aregood, a 1965 Rutgers–Camden alumnus, whose donation of $50,000 will be matched by the university. “We’re looking to ensure that the excellent reputation of Story Quarterly is more than maintained at Rutgers–Camden,” says Barbarese. “This would not have been possible without Rich Aregood’s generosity.”

The inaugural class in the Rutgers–Camden MFA program in creative writing, which began this fall, will have the opportunity to intern at the magazine. “Our students will be getting a first-hand look at the work of some of the country’s top writers and learning both print and electronic publication,” adds Barbarese, who has published four books of poetry, including The Black Beach, which won the Vassar Miller Prize.

More information about Rutgers–Camden’s MFA program in creative writing is available at mfa.camden.rutgers.edu.

The Camden Campus of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, offers 34 undergraduate and 16 master’s and PhD programs. Located in the heart of the vibrant Camden Waterfront, Rutgers–Camden is home to 250 faculty whose research, teaching, and service endeavors are represented worldwide.

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