Hot off the press, the 2021 edition of the “James Dickey Review” is now available! This year’s edition features the work of 24 contributors. Six of the works, including one by 2001 Poetry Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen Dunn, have been nominated by the editorial staff for publication in the prestigious “Pushcart Prize: The Best of the Small Presses.”
The “James Dickey Review,” named for Georgia poet and novelist, James Dickey, is a collection of literary works, published annually by Reinhardt University. This year marks the thirty-seventh edition and Reinhardt’s sixth year publishing it. The “James Dickey Review” publishes works that study James Dickey’s poetry and fiction as well as the best original creative work of writers from around the world.
“By publishing the ‘The James Dickey Review,’ we are presenting to the world some of the best contemporary writing in the country,” said Bill Walsh, director of Reinhardt’s Master of Fine Arts program and editor of the ‘James Dickey Review.’ “As well, we are preserving the legacy of this great writer.”
Production of the “James Dickey Review” is a collaborative process largely driven by students. Submissions are accepted April through September each year. The submissions are reviewed by the editorial staff, comprised mostly of students in the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing program. “Our MFA students gain experience editing the finest writers in the country. Without the students, there would be no ‘James Dickey Review.’ They are the heart of it. I could not do it all on my own, so I assemble a team of well-read, smart students, who by the way, are also fun to hang around with.”
This year, the editorial team was led by undergraduate Nikki Bowen ’22. Bowen is a creative writing major and aspiring editor. “It is unheard of in most scenarios to have an undergrad being the boss of MFA students, but Nikki is one of the best editors I have ever met,” said Walsh.
As managing editor, Bowen collected author submissions, led meetings to discuss pieces for consideration, communicated with Walsh about the layout of the manuscript, delegated work to the editorial staff, and formatted the content of the final manuscript. “I was honored to work on such skillfully written and engaging pieces, and I was thrilled to collaborate with the wonderful people on the ‘James Dickey Review’ editing team in the process!” says Bowen.
“I believe we emerged with a manuscript that all contributors can be proud of. The rewarding experience of developing the magazine, from its first submission to its publication, is something I will be honored to carry into my academic and professional future.”
Walsh says he has heard from many of the contributors since they received their copy and describes their feedback as “incredible.” He says, “This solidifies the idea that we are doing good work. The ‘James Dickey Review’ has a reputation to uphold. The praise we receive is gratifying.”
The ‘James Dickey Review’ is available on Amazon or by sending a request to JamesDickeyReview@Reinhardt.edu.
