Permafrost: Literary Journal Explained

Editor:Jaclyn Bergamino
Editor Title:Editor
Frequency:Annual
Category:Literary magazine
Firstdate:Summer 1979
Based:Fairbanks, Alaska
Language:English
Website:http://www.uaf.edu/english/permafrost/
Issn:0740-7890

Permafrost is the farthest north literary journal in the United States. Based out of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Permafrost publishes poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and visual art, and has published interviews with such notable Alaskan writers as Gerri Brightwell, Derick Burleson, and Richard Nelson. Recent cover art has been predominantly influenced by Alaskan culture, highlighting the likes of painter David Mollett and photographer Larry McNeil.

Having celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2008, Permafrost continues to publish notable writers/artists such as Allen Ginsberg, Ilya Kaminsky, and Andy Warhol alongside up and coming writers such as Dan Pinkerton, Billy Thorpe, and Siân Griffiths. More recently, Permafrost has published work by BJ Hollars and Brian Oliu. The journal is staffed by volunteers from the UAF English Department and specifically students of the MFA in Creative Writing program.

Permafrost Book Prizes

Each year the journal sponsors an annual book prize. The winner of the 2010 competition was poet Richard Sonnenmoser for Science-Magic School. Past winners include Briton Shurley (2007), Holly Iglesias (1999), and Laurie O'Brien (1994).

Circulation and Specs

As one of the growing journals in the field, Permafrosts circulation reached 500 copies in 2008. Situated as the farthest north journal, Permafrost publishers are 350 miles from the nearest city, and separated by country borders beyond that. The journal continues to increase its circulation yearly due to swelling online sales, growing interest from libraries, and the continued support of the Alaska State Council on the Arts and the Alaska Humanities Forum.

In 2008, the journal's dimensions were 8.5 by 5 inches, and was 196 pages in length.

Past Editors

1977: Neil Williams1990: Ellen E. Moore2001-2: Tom Helleberg, Jenny Lagergren2022: Courtney Skaggs
1978: Elyse Guttenberg1991: Steve Baily2003: Rachael Alonzo
1979: Greg Divers 1992: Sandra Keith, Karen Sylte2004: Jeff Gaskin
1980: Linda Schandelmeier1993: Kip Knott2005-6: Steve Goerger
1981: Harley Stein, Tina Matthews1994-5: Dafna Rica Ezran2007: Brian Keenan
1982: Karl Flaccus, Robert R. Weeden1996: Julie Filapek, Jennifer Roberts-Luevano2008: Jamison Klagmann
1983-4: Roberta Roth Laulicht, David Sims1997: T.J. O'Donnell2009: Kyle Mellen
1985-6: R.H. Ober, Alys Culhane1998: Tricia Yost, Thomas A. Porter2010: Jessica Bryant
1987: Natalie Kusz, Marcia Mason1999: Sydney Glasoe, David Houston Wood2011: Sharon Frantz
1988-9: Robin Lewis2000: Christian Lybrook2012: Christie Hinrichs
2013: Caitlin Scarano2014: Caitlin Woolley2015: Jaclyn Bergamino

See also

External links