I founded the print and online literary magazine The Common at Amherst College in 2011. We publish stories, poems, essays, and images with a strong sense of place. We publish twice a year in beautiful print editions and regularly post new content at The Common Online, where you can find reviews, interviews, dispatches, image galleries, and all of our print content as well.

In 2019 The Common won the top Whiting Literary Magazine Prize. Other awards include those from the Best American series, PEN America, O. Henry, Pushcart, and many more organizations, as well as grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and Amazon Literary Partnerships.

The Common seeks work from both emerging and established authors and has published more than 1300 authors from 43 countries. In recent years, the magazine has become a vibrant home for Arabic literature. 

Since its inception, The Common has run the Literary Publishing Internship, which educates and trains undergraduates in all aspects of editing and publishing. Our former interns have gone on to win Fulbright and Watson Fellowships, publish novels with top houses and shorter pieces in acclaimed venues, attend prestigious graduate programs, and work in a variety of highly regarded media and publishing houses.

In 2016, The Common forged a partnership with the National Book Foundation to bring National Book Award authors to Amherst College. This collaboration launched the college’s annual LitFest, which brings illustrious authors and editors to campus for three days of readings, conversations, and student masterclasses.

Launching the careers of writers, providing space for voices from around the world, and mentoring the next generation of writers, editors, and publishers continues to be a thrill and an adventure. Read, subscribe, and support The Common and let us know what you think!

www.thecommononline.org
Frost Library, Amherst College
Amherst, MA 01002-5000