VQR: “Best F**king Magazine on the Planet”

In the wake of the National Magazine Award announcement, much of the media has reacted with no small amount of puzzlement over our wealth of nominations. The New York Post hailed our six nods as “the biggest surprise of the day,” Women’s Wear Daily has dubbed us “this year’s dark horse,” and the New York Times marveled that we were “right behind The Atlantic.” Media Bistro’s FishBowlNY blog couldn’t conceal their confusion, headlining their announcement, “Atlantic Monthly, VQR (Huh?) Lead National Mag Award Noms.” And Gawker.com huffed “What the f**k is The Virginia Quarterly Review? How did it end up with six finalists? Have any of you ever read it? Have any of you ever heard of it?” While laboring in relative obscurity, we’re gratified by the response—even if it is tinged with shock. (Can we point out though that we did get two nominations last year if anyone was paying attention?)

But we reserve our biggest thanks for Bookslut. Jessa Crispin has been pimping us to anyone who will listen for over a year. But today she won our hearts forever by simply declaring us, “the best f**king magazine on the planet right now.” Where can we pick up that trophy?

Ted Genoways is the editor of VQR.