The New Yorker Radio Hour: Celebrating a Century of Poetry and Fiction

Episode Title: The New Yorker Celebrates a Hundred Years as a Poetry and Fiction Tastemaker
Host: David Remnick
Guests: Deborah Treisman (Fiction Editor), Kevin Young (Poetry Editor)
Release Date: February 4, 2025

1. Introduction to The New Yorker's Centennial

David Remnick opens the episode by highlighting the New Yorker's upcoming centenary in February 2025. He reflects on the magazine’s transformation from its inception as a "comic paper" under founder Harold Ross to a prestigious platform for fiction and poetry, largely due to the pivotal hiring of editor Katherine White.

David Remnick [01:45]:
"When we began, the New Yorker's founding editor, Harold Ross, saw the magazine almost purely as what he called a comic paper. Those first issues were light as air, but once Ross made the crucial hire of Katherine White, an editor who insisted on bringing the best of fiction and poetry to the magazine, things changed..."

2. The Evolution of Fiction and Poetry at The New Yorker

Deborah Treisman and Kevin Young discuss the extensive archive of fiction and poetry published over the past century. Treisman notes that the New Yorker has published close to 14,000 pieces of fiction, while Young estimates around 13,500 poems.

Deborah Treisman [02:22]:
"I mean, the New Yorker has published in its history close to 14,000 pieces of fiction."

Kevin Young [02:28]:
"Kevin, I think you might eclipse us. I think we're 13,500 or something like that."

3. Diversity and Representation in The New Yorker

Young reflects on the lack of diversity in historical publications, citing the absence of poets of color in earlier anthologies. He expresses hope for broader representation in contemporary selections.

Kevin Young [04:12]:
"...I pulled the book off the shelf and saw my underlines and was so excited. And then I realized there's not one person of color in that whole book."

Young further discusses the underrepresentation of various ethnicities and the New Yorker's potential role in fostering inclusivity.

Kevin Young [04:21]:
"It was missing a lot of opportunities for the range of American poetry. And it wasn't just African American poets. It's missing Asian poetry... Why would you send your poem there if it's not welcoming?"

4. Creating the Centenary Anthologies

Treisman and Young have curated two anthologies, "A Century of Fiction at the New Yorker" and "A Century of Poetry at the New Yorker." They aimed to capture stories and poems that resonate beyond their time while acknowledging the magazine's historical context.

Deborah Treisman [07:58]:
"I think the latter, I hope. Yeah, for the most part."

5. Editorial Insights: Selection Processes

The discussion turns to the editorial process behind selecting stories and poems. Treisman explains the volume of submissions and the criteria used to identify standout pieces.

Deborah Treisman [18:12]:
"Probably between 100 and 200 [stories]... there's an unsolicited section of submissions which are read by our wonderful fiction readers who will pass along to the editors anything they think is promising."

Young provides insight into the poetry submission process, highlighting the vast number of poems received annually compared to the select number published.

Kevin Young [18:50]:
"I more know that annually about 48,000 come in. [We publish] about a hundred a year."

6. Notable Stories and Poems

One standout story mentioned is "Cat Person" by Kristen Rupelian, which gained viral attention despite the author's limited prior publications. This underscores the New Yorker's ability to spotlight emerging voices that resonate widely.

Deborah Treisman [20:37]:
"...Cat Person by Kristen Rupenian... she had not published widely at all. She did not have a book out, but it was a story that spoke to people."

Young shares the opening poem of the anthology, "Try to Praise the Mutilated World" by Adam Zagayevsky, emphasizing its significance in the post-September 11 context.

Kevin Young [14:31]:
"This is Try to Praise the Mutilated World by Adam Zagayevsky... It had to start the anthology. There was no way you couldn't sort of frame our current moment and looking back without that iconic issue and this iconic poem."

7. The Changing Face of Humor and Light Verse

The conversation touches on how humor in the New Yorker's past issues may not resonate today. Treisman and Young discuss the evolution of poetic styles, noting shifts in what constitutes effective humor and light verse.

Deborah Treisman [11:30]:
"The thing that seems to date maybe fastest when I look back at old New Yorkers is humor."

Kevin Young [12:00]:
"But some of that is so great. It's so playful with language."

8. The New Anthologies' Structure and Themes

Young explains his unique approach to organizing the poetry anthology, likening it to the progression of a day to create thematic coherence.

Kevin Young [13:29]:
"I said, well, what about if it's like a day? And so it starts with the morning, a morning bell, and then has a lunch break, and then it has an after work drink and goes like that."

9. Reflections on Editorial Challenges and Triumphs

Treisman shares anecdotes about the challenges of fostering new talent while maintaining the magazine's high standards. She highlights the balance between nurturing emerging writers and recognizing established voices.

Deborah Treisman [19:51]:
"Usually between 20 and 25% of stories in a given year are by people who are publishing in the New Yorker for the first time."

10. Conclusion and Celebratory Remarks

Remnick concludes by acknowledging the efforts of Treisman and Young in compiling the centenary anthologies and extends gratitude to contributors like Deborah Garrison. He encourages listeners to engage with the new anthologies and celebrate the New Yorker's rich legacy.

David Remnick [21:06]:
"...A Century of Fiction and A Century of Poetry come out this month and of course, you can always subscribe@newyorker.com..."

Notable Quotes

• Kevin Young [04:57]:
  "I actually, what is interesting to me is I haven't gone through the archive and figured out, is it people didn't send. Because there is a kind of level of, you know, if it's not welcoming, why would you send your poem there?"

• Deborah Treisman [06:25]:
  "...even geniuses don't always write their best work right off the bat."

• Kevin Young [12:18]:
  "I think especially the 20s, a kind of rhyming, clever poem quatrains, no doubt, that comes to a clever conclusion."

Key Takeaways

• Historical Significance: The New Yorker has been a cornerstone in American literature, publishing thousands of influential fiction and poetry pieces over a century.

• Diversity and Inclusion: There has been a historical lack of diversity in the magazine's publications, but recent efforts aim to rectify this and broaden representation.

• Editorial Excellence: The rigorous selection process ensures that only the most impactful and resonant stories and poems are featured.

• Evolving Literary Styles: The magazine reflects changing literary tastes and societal norms, adapting its content to stay relevant.

• Legacy and Future: The centenary anthologies celebrate the New Yorker's enduring legacy while paving the way for future literary contributions.

This episode of The New Yorker Radio Hour offers a comprehensive look into the magazine’s illustrious history in fiction and poetry, the challenges of maintaining editorial standards, and the ongoing efforts to embrace diversity and contemporary relevance.