Witness

"Witness blends the features of a literary and an issue-oriented magazine to highlight the role of the modern writer as witness to his or her times. Launched in Detroit in 1987, the magazine is best known for showcasing work that defines its historical moment; special issues have focused on political oppression, religion, the natural world, crime, aging, civil rights, love, ethnic America, and exile. The issues “New Nature Writing,” “The Sixties,” “Sports in America,” and “The Best of Witness, 1987 – 2004” eventually appeared as university press anthologies.

In 2007, Witness moved to Black Mountain Institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The magazine now publishes one special print issue and two general online issues each year and increasingly seeks out work that contextualizes the American experience by highlighting issues of global concern."

Prose rejections

Standard

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to consider "Other than us." We have read the work closely and regret that it does not meet our needs. We are grateful that you thought of us and hope you are successful in placing your manuscript elsewhere.

Sincerely,

The editors

Higher Tier

Dear Author:

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to consider "Story Title." Our readers admired many elements of the work, but we've decided that the manuscript isn't right for us. We wish you success in placing it elsewhere.

Sincerely, The editors

2012

Dear —,

Thank you for sending us "—." We enjoyed this manuscript, but we didn't feel it was a good fit for Witness.

We hope that you will continue to send us your work.

Sincerely, The editors

Poetry rejections

Standard

Thank you for allowing us to read [poem titles]. Unfortunately, we have to pass at this time. We wish you the best in placing these poems elsewhere.

Higher Tier

Text of Higher Tier Rejection