News / January 16, 2023

So…What’s the Story?

Those of you who have been long-time readers of Creative Nonfiction, will know that every issue from the first to the 78th —from 1994 to 2022—leads with my “What’s the Story” column.  Sometimes it is about the issue we are publishing and other times about the craft or the history of the genre.  Today, it’s about us, the Creative Nonfiction Foundation, and what’s going on behind the scenes.  (I know many of you have been wondering.)  So, here’s the story:

Sometime in the spring of last year, I began worrying about us and our future.  Publication costs had skyrocketed.  The staff was over-worked, and our technology was old and cranky.  And, after nearly 30 years, I thought it was time to begin to look for a successor—someone who might have new ideas about what we were doing and what might come next.

Through this process of reflection, changes in key staff positions and operating procedures, some unexpected, occurred, and it became clear to me that in order to efficiently and intelligently re-organize and re-vitalize our magazines and our education program that we ought to take a pause, catch our breaths and analyze what we were doing. 

So that’s what we decided to do and that’s why our classes for this semester have been cancelled, why we are, at this time, not accepting submissions or processing subscriptions. 

I hope and expect that we will have that plan in place in the coming weeks that will guide the future direction of the organization.  You will be the first to know, I promise. 

So, what’s the story?  As it stands right now, I am not going anywhere. Founding and editing Creative Nonfiction and fighting for the legitimacy and acceptance of the genre has been the essence of my life’s work.  At this moment, I don’t know exactly what is going to happen, how our story will play out, but I am hoping that you all will understand and hang in with us.  Without you, of course, writers and readers and supporters, there would, quite frankly, be no reason to go on.

I wish you the happiest and most productive new year.  And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your loyalty, encouragement and support over these many years.

My very best,
Lee