A few weeks ago I attended a panel of literary magazine publishers on new business models for literary magazines (things such as this recently discussed over at Bookfox). Managing editor of New England Review, Carolyn Kuebler, was one of the panelists. As most know, NER is having to change its business model in a very serious way, since as of December 21, 2011 it will no longer receive institutional support from Middlebury College. The main way Kuebler discussed they would reach this goal was through more fundraising. But she also mentioned that there plan was to make the magazine indispensable. Or show that it was indispensable. I can’t remember which. Either way, it made me think about how literary magazines might be indispensable—an idea which seems to run counter to public opinion of them. What might make a few literary magazines unique, perhaps even necessary? What are a few lit mags that stand out as specific published objects, distinguished from other literary magazines and books?

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