Source of Lit - Meg Galipault

While I realize my typical Source of Lit posts have a literary journal name after the dash, this is not a typical Source of Lit post.

The latest issue of The Kenyon Review arrived in my mailbox yesterday, and I've just cracked it open.  I don't do this with all literary journals, but almost every time the latest KR arrives, I read the Editor's Notes - I enjoy David Lynn's looks both internally at the journal, and externally, at the literary world in general.  Sadly, the final paragraph of the notes in this issue starts off:

"It is my sad and reluctant duty now to mention that Meg Galipault, managing editor of The Kenyon Review, is leaving after five years of creativity and leadership."

I use sadly, above, in a personal, stingy sort of way - I don't want to hear that Meg is leaving because I love what the KR has become in these past five years, both within the pages of each incredible issue, and outside the covers.  Not only is KR one of my favorite journals to read when it arrives, but in the past few years, Meg has signed on board, very early on, in a few crazy EWN based ideas.  And I can state with absolution that her being one of the first to sign on board for the Buy 3, Pay for 2 Literary Journals project we ran here through the EWN website two or three years back helped me convince another 20 or so journals to join up.  I can't say an exact number for sure, but there were plenty that were a bit lukewarm to the idea of playing along until they read my email stating KR would be involved.  KR you say?  Sure, we're in too then, was a frequent reply.

Meg was also one of the first to agree to be part of a tent or two of nothing but literary journals at the 2006 Ann Arbor Book Festival (and thinking back to her, sitting huddle in the 38 degree rainy day, I again profusely apologize for the idea!).  This again helped us recruit journals beyond just the local literary folks to come to Ann Arbor and be a part of something.

In both of those cases, it was great to see Meg bringing the status of The Kenyon Review to projects including much smaller journals.  Not asking for anything special in either case, not making demands because a long-standing, well-respected journal was perhaps taking a step down to sit at the children's table at the holiday dinner.  But, adding their name alongside every other journal that was involved, and sitting right there in the crappy weather all day, not selling a single copy of the KR copies she'd brought up from Ohio.

While it's been great to work with her on these various projects, and continue to see stellar efforts from the journal, and their website and top-notch litblog, over the past five years, on a less selfish note, here's hoping Meg is off to enjoy another challenge.  It may be a bit too late for her to get ready for Beijing, but perhaps London 2012?

Comments

[Meg]

You are too kind, Dan. Thanks so much for the post. As you might imagine, KR’s outreach is entirely due to the efforts of a fabulous team of dedicated folks, led by David. You can bet that Tyler Meier, KR’s new managing editor, will bring even more to the journal. He's sharp, creative, and brilliantly funny: all important qualities for the job.

[Nancy Zafris]

I had the privilege of working with Meg for several years. She's wonderful in every way. AWP was always the highlight for us because that's when we got to hang out and spend time with each other. I got a huge kick out of seeing people approach the Kenyon Review table, thinking they were about to speak to an insufferable snob. Within a sentence or two Meg was always in the midst of her infectious laughter. She's so friendly and smart. I loved being in the midst of this kind-hearted, honest, perceptive person, who also happens to work incredibly hard. She does have a sadistic side, however. She used to buy M&M chocolate-covered peanuts at AWP and eat them one peanut per hour so that one little bag lasted the whole AWP weekend. I warned her about doing this. Finally, I had to grab the bag from her and eat them all just to get rid of that little yellow packet. And I gave her a second warning never to torture me like that again, but it didn't stop her. The next year, same thing. Other than that, she's perfect.

Nancy Zafris, former fiction editor of KR

[Rebecca Kanner]

I have yet to meet Meg is person, but through our correspondence before my story was published in the KR I can tell that she is a kind and incredibly hard working lover of literature. I wish Meg all the best.