I’m trying to find out if there are any good publications or blogs that publish critical reviews of stories published in online literary magazines.  I see a lot of reviews of books by the established authors, but comparatively little that focuses on the writers trying to get a foot into the literary publishing world.

I hate to answer just to say that I have no answer.  Still , my hunch is that the online, even print, lit journals hang by such thin threads of readership and continuity that there isn’t much chance for another, second tier critiquing them- unless you start one, of course.

Yeah, that’s what I’m finding.  Steven J. McDermott of Storyglossia seems to be the only one writing criticism for short stories and flash fiction published online.  So the other day I put out a call for submissions of criticism to The Angler.  We’ll see what happens.

Update: Dan Wickett on his Emerging Writers Network blog is highlighting a “Work of the Day.” Some in print, others online.  Dan in his email announcing that he was doing this mentions two other blogs highlighting short literary fiction works: “Patrick Rapa and his blog, I Read a Short Story Today and Steven J. McDermott with his blog”.

You are now my official expert on such matters.  Thanks for the tips!

Most of Patrick’s work at I Read a Short Story seems to be critiquing hard copy stories - items from lit journals or story collections.

SD Byrd at Short Story Craft, http://www.fictioncraft.blogspot.com, is also critiquing individual stories - most are able to found online, but often from larger print journals with online excerpts from their issues.

So these sites still relate largely to print, not solely electrons.  Thanks for the additional info.

I’m pretty new to the party, but as an effort to do more with my website for my own writing I’m starting to post recommendations and short reviews of stories I’ve read recently (mostly online, because it’s easier to actually send someone to the story).  Like I said, I’ve just gotten started, but there will definitely be more as time goes on.

Here’s the site: Matt Bell: Fiction and Other Writing

This may take the thread in a new direction. I’m a newbie so let me know and I’ll start a new thread.

I want to know if the online literary journals are as respected as print journals. I’m sure it’s journal by journal. Perhaps we can complie a list of really good online zines. Criteria would include critcism they have received but more important: Are the stories winning Pushcart and such like prizes?

All fiction is for me a kind of magic and trickery - a confidence trick, trying to make people believe something is true that isn’t.’ Angus Wilson

I think this deserves its own thread.  I know Donovan’s (The Angler of earlier posts) been working hard on his journal.  I’d be interested in people’s favorites and how they think this newish form is evolving.