The team behind Bay Area publication Zyzzyva awoke to good news on Thursday, July 14, as their longtime labor of love was announced as one of five 2022 Whiting Literary Magazine Prize winners.A Bay Area staple for over 35 years, the proudly independent periodical — so-named for being the last listed word in the Oxford dictionary — is overseen by Editor Laura Cogan and Managing Editor Oscar Villalon.
Villalon was elated to learn of the Whitney Foundation’s decision.
“This recognition is supremely heartening,” he said. “It makes clear to the people we’ve published, and to all the people who read us, that Zyzzyva is indeed something special. And it reminds our fellow San Franciscans that great cultural things continue to come out of here.”
Founded in 1985, the literary magazine was originally conceived as a West Coast answer to an East Coast-centric publishing world. Showcasing voices both diverse and brilliant — but always local — Zyzzyva has blossomed into a nationally distributed literary journal that welcomes contributors near and far. In addition to publishing three print issues per year, the publication also remains highly active in the Bay Area community in the form of readings, panels, workshops and more.
Literary journal Zyzzyva scales back and pushes forward
In recognizing Zyzzyva, the Whiting Foundation judges’ citation highlights the journal’s dedication to its roots, its willingness to reinvent itself, and the beauty of its printed form.
“象鼻虫capaci多年来一直一个牧羊人ous community of West Coast writers,” the citation begins. “Masterfully edited and sharply cerebral, this place-based journal dazzles readers with formal innovation and an appetite for adventure, diving deeply into its regionality while ushering the world onto its pages.”
The judges also praised the aesthetics of Zyzzyva’s print publication, which utilizes the work of a single artist throughout every issue as a means of guiding that specific edition’s overall design.
“As a print object,” the citation continues, “it has exquisite presence and dignity, featuring gorgeous full-color prints at the center of every issue.”
The 2022 Whiting Literary Magazine Prize comes with an accompanying grant of $20,000. Cogan said the arrival of this honor could not be coming at a better moment for Zyzzyva’s coffers.
“In all candor, the ongoing challenges of the pandemic have really stretched our resources thin, so the timing for this new support is just fantastic,” she said. “It’s not only an honor and major recognition of the quality of the journal — it’s also a source of support that we are so grateful for.”
Cogan noted that Zyzzyva plans to use the opportunity to make several updates and improvements at the organizational level in hopes of helping to secure the journal’s long-term stability. Beyond the initial grant, the Whiting Prize also includes the potential for the magazine to receive additional matching grants of the same amount for each of the following two years.
While an official celebration is still in the works, Villalon and Cogan plan to welcome those who wish to revel with them at the Booksmith on July 27 for the release of Issue No. 123.
Zyzzyva Issue No. 123 Release Party:7 p.m. July 27. Free, RSVP encouraged. The Booksmith, 1727 Haight St., S.F. 415-863-8688.booksmith.com