Three questions for Robert Paul Moreira about the newly revived literary journal, riverSedge

 

Robert Paul Moreira

Robert Paul Moreira is the editor of Arriba Baseball!: A Collection of Latino/a Baseball Fiction (VAO Publishing, 2013). His short story collection, Scores, is forthcoming from Broken River Books. He is the recipient of a Pushcart Prize nomination (2012), the Wendy Barker Creative Writing Award (2011), and two graduate fiction awards from the Texas Association of Creative Writing Teachers (2009, 2010). He teaches writing, literature and courses in Mexican American Studies at the University of Texas Pan American. Robert agreed to chat with La Bloga about his role as the Managing Editor for the newly revived literary journal, riverSedge: A Journal of Art and Literature.

DANIEL OLIVAS: I was so happy to see that riverSedge was revived because my very first short story appeared in the 1998 issue of the journal. What or who motivated its revival?

ROBERT PAUL MOREIRA: Jan Seale, the 2012 Texas Poet Laureate, first asked me about riverSedge during the annual TACWT Conference at UT-Pan American in 2012. As one of the founders of the journal in 1977, Jan had not seen a copy of riverSedge in quite some time and was curious as to the journal's progress. Though I had heard of riverSedge, I had no answer for Jan at the time, but I promised to look into the matter. After several discussions with the current director of UTPA's Creative Writing Program, Dr. Philip Zwerling, we began making inquiries across campus, and ultimately found riverSedge under the auspices of UTPA's Graduate Office and Editor Tony Reyna. Phil and I detailed the advantages of relocating riverSedge under the English Department and Creative Writing MFA, and Tony graciously agreed to the change. Phil and I are excited to be at the helm of riverSedge and eager to continue the journal's tradition of publishing only the very best prose, poetry and art.

DO: What has been the most difficult part of publishing a literary journal?

RPM: Publishing a literary journal is never an easy venture, but having a strong foundation to build upon has been extremely helpful. The riverSedge editorial board includes members from three different higher-ed institutions—UT-Pan American, UT-Brownsville, and South Texas College—and they have all done an outstanding job collaborating on our latest issue. Honestly, the most difficult part of this endeavor has been living up to the journal's 37-year old track record as a one of the primary literary voices from South Texas. Alurista, Larry McMurtry, Rolando Hinojosa, W.D. Snodgrass, Angela de Hoyos—these are just some of the wonderful writers that riverSedge has published since its inception in 1977. This is a tremendous credit to the hard work of all the past editors of the journal. We are committed to following in those same footsteps.

DO: What can readers expect from volume 27, issue 1 of riverSedge?

RPM: The latest issue begins with amazing cover art by riverSedge Art Editor, Rey Santiago. Inside, readers will be treated to poetry, prose, and color art from a wide range of wonderful authors and artists, including Diana López, Naomi Shihab Nye, Jillian Fleck, Rodney Gomez, and others. Our latest issue also includes a short play by Pulitzer Prize winner Lee Blessing. We are extremely proud of riverSedge 27:1 and hope readers of La Bloga will support us by purchasing a copy of our latest issue. Authors and artists: make sure to submit for our 2015 issue!

IN OTHER LITERARY NEWS...

My interview with Juan Felipe Herrera regarding his new book for young people, Portraits of Hispanic American Heroes, appeared last week in the Los Angeles Review of Books.