Dzanc Books has plunged into the world of online literature with its new journal, The Collagist. The debut issue features fiction, nonfiction, poetry, book reviews, and a novel excerpt, proving true to the journal’s title. Among the topics covered in the issue are deadbeat dads, writing mentors, mannequins, Maria Callas, Internet-loss anxiety, and the exhilarating wonders of shellac. Ander Monson offers up his nonfiction in what he calls an “assembloir,” while David McLendon muses on writing teacher Gordon Lish, whose story, “I’m Wide,” is reprinted in a delightfully meta twist. The issue also features fiction from Fringe Friend Matthew Salesses who moonlights as the Editor of Redivider.

Editor Matt Bell, in his welcome letter, explains “Dzanc was created to publish and promote literary writing, and, to me, The Collagist is in some ways a recognition of the fact that while their book publishing arm necessarily deals in full manuscripts, there is still a calling for Dzanc to find ways to publish and promote individual pieces by a wider population of emerging and established writers.” I think this speaks well to online literature in general–it’s not the bastard stepchild of print journals, as some traditionalists still believe, but rather gives literature a wider berth, a louder voice with which to reach a more diverse and widespread audience. Fringe gives a warm welcome to The Collagist, and we’re looking forward to more great literature on the net.