Cream City Review
cream city review is a volunteer based, non-profit literary magazine devoted to publishing memorable and energetic pieces that push the boundaries of “literature.” Continually seeking to explore the relationship between form and content, the magazine features fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, comics, reviews of contemporary literature and criticism, as well as author interviews and artwork.
Published biannually, cream city review attracts readers and submissions from around the world. Approximately 4,000 submissions are received each year from both unpublished and established writers. The journal reflects this mix—often publishing poets laureate beside artists who are up and coming.
History
The name cream city review pays tribute to the publication’s home in Milwaukee. Known as “The Cream City,” Milwaukee is the birthplace of the yellow-colored brick, made exclusively from clay native to the area. The first “cream” brick was made in 1835. The bricks proved more durable and aesthetically pleasing than the traditional red bricks produced by East Coast kilns and quickly became Milwaukee’s most characteristic building material. Popular throughout the 19th century, Cream City bricks were used widely for ornamental architecture throughout the United States and Europe.
cream city review was started in 1975 by Mary Zane Allen. After working at The Wisconsin Review, she desired a similar literary journal for the creative writing department at University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Allen worked with the student union to establish both the magazine and a reading series. Later, the magazine began operating with the support of UWM’s English Department.
Over the years, cream city review has evolved from an 8″ X 11″, 50 page, Xeroxed zine to the 175-225 page perfect-bound book format that it is today. The shift to glossy, multicolored covers began in the fall of 1989, after Laurie Buman became art editor. These covers have become one of the magazine’s trademarks.
At a time when many literary magazines have been forced to fold for lack of funds, cream city review has thrived. This is thanks in large part to grants from The Bradley Foundation and The Wisconsin Arts Board, also with support from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (specifically, the English Department) and the Letters and Science Constituent Alumni Association. Additionally, cream city review is immensely grateful for its succession of dedicated volunteers and a loyal following of readers and subscribers.
Masthead
- Editor-in-Chief: Loretta McCormick
- Managing Editor: Mollie Boutell
- Fiction Editors: Jenni Moody, Ann-Marie Blanchard
- Poetry Editors: Soham Patel, Tobias Wray, Alessandra Simmons
- Creative Nonfiction Editors: Matthew Schneider, Franklin Cline
- Production Manager: Kristopher Purzycki
- Art Editor: Kristopher Purzycki
- Web Editors: Jeremy Carnes, Geoff Gimse
- Interns: Mathew Wamser, cLoud Kruschke, Rebecca Schnirman
- Development Manager: Caitlin Scarrano
- Copy Editor: kizzy fay
- Advisory Board: Liam Callanan (Faculty Advisor), Kimberly Blaeser, Brenda Cárdenas, Dave Clark, George Makana Clark, Lane Hall, Ann Hanlon, Stuart Moulthrop, Mark Netzloff, Todd Wellman
Distinguished past contributors
- Kate Braverman
- Charles Bukowski
- Robert Olen Butler
- Maxine Chernoff
- Amy Clampitt
- Billy Collins
- Oliver de la Paz
- Tess Gallagher
- Diane Glancy
- Joy Harjo
- Bob Hicok
- Allison Joseph,
- Caroline Knox
- Ted Kooser
- Audre Lorde
- J.D. McClatchy
- Simon Ortiz
- Linda Pastan
- Ricardo Pau-Llosa
- Adrienne Rich
- Alberto Ríos
- Catie Rosemurgy
- Denise Sweet
- James Tate
- Mark Turcotte
- Gordon Weaver
- Aimee Bender
- Ben Percy