by Grace Singh Smith

From: SMC In Focus

This year—fall 2018—marks the 30th anniversary of Santa Monica Review (SMR). The national literary arts journal published by Santa Monica College (SMC) showcases the work of established authors alongside emerging writers, with a focus on West Coast fiction and nonfiction; it happens to be the only nationally-distributed literary journal at a community college.

SMC publishes the Review twice a year as part of its mission to promote literacy and the literary arts, and to support writers. A number of stories, essays, and other works that have appeared in the Review have also been selected for publication in the annual Pushcart Prize, Best American Short Stories, and PEN/O. Henry anthologies.

SMC has also hosted a booth featuring Santa Monica Review, with free copies as gifts, at the annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books for most of the life of the festival.

How it All Began

“The idea for Santa Monica Review sprang, as nearly as I can tell, straight from the brain of then-SMC President Dr. Richard Moore,” said poet, novelist, and SMR founding editor Jim Krusoe. “It was 1988, and I was being considered for a full-time teaching position at the College.”

Dr. Moore, Superintendent/President of SMC from 1974 to 1994, was known for his innovative and creative approaches to encouraging learning. “It was only when I was at my actual job interview that Dr. Moore asked me what I thought about starting a literary journal,” said Jim. “I gulped and—because I really, really needed a job—I answered I thought it was a great idea.” Read Rest of Article Here