Written by Leila Scott, Cover image by Nick Thomsen
Eliza Borne, editor of the Oxford American (OA), spoke at the Pei Ling Chan Amphitheater Feb. 1 to a crowd of curious writers. The OA is a non-profit magazine based in Little Rock, Arkansas. With a staff of five editors, each one plays a significant role in the process of getting a pitch to the printer.
When Borne receives a pitch that sparks her interest, she begins to develop a close relationship with the writer. In regard to presenting a successful and appealing pitch, Borne provided encouraging and specific tips.
“Identify stories, figure out how to frame and convey them through your unique lens, read magazines, find an entry point, follow up.”
Eliza Borne
From phone calls to lengthy email responses, it can take up to eight months for an idea to hit the press. All the while, Borne heavily involves herself in the development and editing of each story. She links arms with the writer through their research, rough drafts and revisions. “No sentence is going to be untouched,” Borne said.
The OA collects a number of stories from seasoned journalists who have been in the reporting field for years gathering information for their story and even fresh writers with an idea that’s just a paragraph on a page. Their mission “is to showcase the very best in Southern writing, music, and art, while documenting the complexity and vitality of the region.” While flipping through a winter issue of the magazine, their intentions and purpose were clear. The issue focused on southern music in South Carolina, connecting poems and personal essays to vibrant paintings and photos—a playful and appropriate representation of the state.
The OA is a seasonal magazine that’s available in print or online.
