An Interview with Sam Gennett, Managing Editor

How did Jet Fuel Review begin? What was the goal when starting the magazine?
Jet Fuel Review originally began as a capstone project for English major Mary Egan at Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois. With some help, Egan launched the first issue of JFR in 2011. Since then, the ever-evolving staff has worked hard to uphold Egan’s original vision of publishing worthwhile contemporary poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and artwork. Run by Lewis University students and advised by Drs. Simone Muench and Jackie White, we strive to be a platform for voices old and new.

Describe your decision-making process for selecting work to appear in the magazine.
Our reading period lasts two months, and we typically receive between 500 and 600 submissions. Over the course of three months, the editors gather four times for what we call “editorial-selection meetings.” Once we’ve each read every submission in a given time-span, and have been allowed to voice our own specific comments regarding them, we come together in order to make final decisions as to what pieces we are going to publish. We aim to give every submission an equal chance and make decisions based on which pieces will best reflect diversity in terms of author, subject-matter, and genre.

If your magazine has an ethos, what is it?
Our mission is to create a writer’s community, publish quality writing and artwork, and maintain a blog connected to the literary journal site. Our staff is comprised of students who all share a passion for the arts and want to promote that through both our journal and blog. One of our main goals is in regards to diversity, wherein we hope to publish writers and artists from all demographics and backgrounds in order to showcase the powerful voices of those who may typically be silenced. We also aim for diversity in the actual work that we publish by seeking out innovative, barrier-breaking poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and artwork. In essence, we aim to create a well-rounded journal with fresh voices from all human experiences.

After Jet Fuel Review, what’s your favorite writing venue?
Some of our favorite publications to peruse are The Account, Poetry, Kettle Blue Review, RHINO, Denver Quarterly, Green Mountains Review, and Vinyl.

What is your plan for the future of the magazine?
Since I have stepped in as JFR’s managing editor, the journal has developed so much, and I hope that it can continue to grow in visibility and maintain itself as a platform for voices across the globe. I’m optimistic that JFR will still be publishing amazing work for years to come.

Website: http://www.jetfuelreview.com