An interview with Tyler Mills, Editor-in-Chief

The Account publishes brief statements from contributors alongside the work itself. How did this come about? Why are such statements significant?
Brianna Noll and I co-founded the journal in 2013 because we loved the idea of asking writers and artists to respond to their process about the specific works we were to publish. We think it is important that readers have access to this dialogue between a work and how it came to be. Some writers use the account as a way to talk about influences, some write about what was happening in their life when they made the work, and some treat it like its own mini-work, that seems like a tiny, awesome essay. These accounts are significant because this dialogue becomes dynamic in its own way—as a new space for a reader to engage with the work.

What is The Account’s process like for putting together its multi-genre issues?
We read our slush for treasures. And they do wash ashore, glittery and sharp and wonderful. We are a no-reading fee journal, and we are proud of this. As a result, we welcome writers who are new to publishing—and love giving an early byline!—as well as established writers, from Pulitzer finalists to LARB winners, from Pushcart to Best of the Net winners. We solicit writers on occasion, too.

Who are some writers or artists that you been particularly proud to publish and champion in The Account recently?
This is a hard question because, with each issue, we are so proud to bring work by each and every writer, artist, and critic in our pages into the world. I’m resistant to naming specific contributors, but at the same time, I am also so excited that we’ve published Chen Chen, Karen An-Hwei Lee, Diane Seuss, Lee Ann Roripaugh, Lillian-Yvonne Bertram, Maggie Nelson, David Kirby, Kate Gilmore, Sandra Lim, Isobel O’Hare, Kenseth Armstead, Lily Hoang, Shara McCallum, Hanif Willis-Abdurraqib, Maggie Smith, Meghan Lamb, Temim Fruchter—I could go on!

What are a few things you’re excited about in the world of contemporary literature?
Literary publishing has changed even since The Account started six years ago in that there are so many new and exciting magazines. I love seeing them, and sometimes I notice that writers we’ve showcased appear in them soon after. It’s pretty cool, thinking that perhaps other journals go to our TOC when soliciting writers. I’m also thrilled that contemporary literature is becoming more inclusive. While there is still much work to be done, I really like that this change is in the wind. In terms of form, I think that contemporary literature is also becoming more innovative in its approach the poetic line, with the narrative strategies in a work of fiction, with the lyric potential in an essay as it skips like a record or mimics other genres. Readers are more adventurous, and I think it’s terrific that journals are delivering formally daring works to their audiences.

What’s next for The Account? Or is there anything you’d wish for the magazine?
I think it would be great to run a contest. We’ve also talked about publishing an anthology. In the past, we did a special issue on graphic works (writing that engages specifically with art, graphic novels, gifs, you name it), and I’d be interested in publishing another. We’ve done criticism forums that have been really energetic, too. Next, though, is publishing our next issue, and then our next one. And then our next one. Each time an issue launches, I feel like we’ve achieved something magical. I cheer that first second we’re live! Even though I’m intimately familiar with everything in the issue, I relish sitting down with it again and seeing what new things it teaches me.

Website: http://theaccountmagazine.com/