Many many years ago, I discovered Might magazine. It was a funny, silly magazine that spoofed everything (but had a serious backbone, too). (You can order back issues here). And so, I subscribed around issue 13. When the magazine folded (with issue 16–and you can read a little bit about that in the intro to Shiny Adidas Track Suits) it somehow morphed into McSweeney‘s, and much of the creative team behind Might went with them.
The early volumes (1-5 are reviewed in these pages, and the rest will come one of these days) are a more literary enterprise than Might was. There’s still a lot of the same humor (and a lot of silliness), but there are also lengthy non-fiction pieces. The big difference is that McSweeney’s was bound as a softcover book rather than as a magazine. And, I guess technically it is called Timothy McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern as opposed to Timothy McSweeney’s Internet Tendency.
Issue #6 came with a CD of music by They Might Be Giants. And from then on it was anybody’s guess what the next issue would look like. (This Wikipedia page provides a nice summary of all of the issues that have been published, including authors).
The latest issue (#33) is being printed as a newspaper (just to give an idea of the diversity of product here).
The books (for most of them are books, despite the above newspaper) come out occasionally. I gather it was supposed to be a quarterly, but I don’t know that they’ve ever really kept a schedule. Many of the books are hardcover (beautifully bound). Some have been paperbacks. Occasionally they come in a fancy packaging (boxes, slipcases etc). You never know what you’re going to get, which is a lot of the fun.
Although you do know that you’re going to get quality short stories. The list of fantastic (and well-known) authors grows and grows. (Just a few: Michael Chabon, Stephen King, David Foster Wallace, George Saunders, Roddy Doyle, A.M. Homes, and Joyce Carol Oates.) And mixed in with them are less well known (ie. more indie) authors, as well as occasional unknowns. And even if I don’t love every story, I know that they’ll all be worth a read.
McSweeney’s itself has grown from a publisher of this quarterly to include an empire that publishes books (their book of the month club is the way to go), an official periodical (The Believer), and a video magazine (Wholphin).
I am probably a little too steeped in McSweeney’s-world, but I’ve never been disappointed with a release of theirs (okay, that’s not true, they have published a few clunkers). I’m always excited to get the box with the little chair as the return address.
And, of course, I began a Wikipedia page of all of the McSweeney’s Books. I’m delighted to see that folks have been adding to it!
Original mention in Periodicals Page:
McSweeney’s. Technically a periodical. A collection of short stories and things like it. I’m usually too overwhelmed by the time this comes in, and frankly, I am many many issues behind on reading this. However, I plowed through 21 and 22 recently, and just got 23. So, I’m looking forward to it and its brethren. I got turned onto McSweeney’s because I used to subscribe to MIGHT magazine (R.I.P) which was a hilarious magazine ala Spy (R.I.P). Might ran for a dozen or so issues and then strangely morphed into McSweeney’s. I think somehow my subscription ran over into McSweeney’s and the rest is 23 issues of fun!
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