Chiron Review
Chiron Review is an American literary journal known for eclectic contemporary writing and its close ties to small-press literary communities.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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History
Chiron Review originated in St. John, Kansas, in February 1982 as The Kindred Spirit. Its founder, Michael Hathaway, had recently completed high school and was working as a typesetter at a local newspaper. The journal grew from this local and independent publishing context rather than from a large commercial magazine group. In March 1989, it was renamed Chiron Review, the title it has used throughout its later history. The journal developed a reputation for publishing an unusually broad range of contemporary creative writing. Rather than limiting itself to one school of poetry, one literary movement, or one commercial readership, it brought together established and emerging writers from different parts of the American literary landscape. Its contribution has been especially visible in small-press circles, where it has been regarded as a venue that encourages community as well as publication. Editorial development was an important part of the journal's identity. Jane Hathaway served as assistant editor until her death on February 20, 2000. Beginning in 1989, Gerald Locklin served as poetry editor and Rafael Zepeda as fiction editor. John Brantingham joined the fiction staff in 2003 as a second fiction editor, while Zachary Locklin joined the poetry staff in 2008 as a second poetry editor. In 2014, Wendy Rainey and Sarah Daugherty joined as poetry and fiction editors respectively, and Craig Ashby became art director. Clint Margrave, Kareem Tayyar, and Grant Hier joined the poetry editorial group in 2018. Dave Newman later joined the fiction staff. The available account records several departures, including Locklin's resignation for health reasons in late 2019, Brantingham's departure in December 2020, and Paul Kareem Tayyar's resignation in 2024. Gerald Locklin died on January 17, 2021. Chiron Review has used its issue format to explore particular communities, subjects, and cultural scenes. Issue 26, published in spring 1991, was written and edited by Vietnam veterans. The journal's LGBTQ+-focused issues appeared in fall 1987, winter 1992, spring 1997, winter 2005, and the combined winter 2022/spring 2023 issue. Issue 89, published in fall 2009, was a punk rock issue guest edited by Sarah Daugherty. A special tribute to Gerald Locklin appeared as issue 127 in fall 2022. The journal's physical form changed over time. It was initially printed in tabloid newsprint format, a presentation consistent with independent and small-press publishing. Publication stopped in fall 2011, but resumed in fall 2014 in a 6-by-9-inch softcover book format. The available reference material does not specify whether the journal has continued publishing after the latest documented issues, so its current status cannot be confirmed. Chiron Review's records have acquired significance for literary research. The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University holds archives covering 1979–2015. Later portions are held by Princeton University Library, Temple University Library, and the Kenneth Spencer Research Library at the University of Kansas. The journal is indexed by Humanities Index International Complete, and issues 18 through 81 were indexed by the Index of American Periodical Verse. Its contributor history includes Charles Bukowski, William Stafford, Jan Kerouac, Marge Piercy, James Broughton, Edward Field, Elizabeth Swados, Antler, Richard Kostelanetz, Robert Peters, Lesléa Newman, Lyn Lifshin, D.A. Levy, Charles Harper Webb, Erskine Caldwell, Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel, Janice Eidus, Denise Duhamel, Wanda Coleman, Charles Plymell, S.A. Griffin, Harry Northup, Hugh Fox, A.D. Winans, Clifton Snider, Felice Picano, Will Inman, Michael Xavier, Quentin Crisp, and Alessio Zanelli.
- 2023
Combined LGBTQ+ issue
[1]Issues 128/129 cover winter 2022 and spring 2023 and continue the journal's LGBTQ+-themed issue series.
- 2022
Gerald Locklin tribute issue
[1]Issue 127 is published as a special tribute to former poetry editor Gerald Locklin.
- 2014
Publication resumes in a new format
[1]Chiron Review returns in fall 2014 as a 6-by-9-inch softcover book rather than a tabloid newsprint publication.
- 2011
Publication pauses
[1]The journal ceases publication in fall 2011.
- 2009
Punk rock issue
[1]Issue 89 explores punk rock in a themed edition guest edited by Sarah Daugherty.
- 1991
Vietnam veterans issue
[1]Issue 26 presents writing by Vietnam veterans and is edited by Andrew Gettler.
- 1989
The journal becomes Chiron Review
[1]The publication changes its title to Chiron Review and expands its editorial structure with Gerald Locklin and Rafael Zepeda.
- 1982
The Kindred Spirit is founded
[1]Michael Hathaway establishes the literary journal in St. John, Kansas, initially publishing it under the name The Kindred Spirit.
Products and positioning
An independent American literary journal positioned around wide-ranging contemporary creative writing, independent publishing, and community-building within small-press literary culture.
Literary journal · 1989
Chiron Review
The core publication is an independent literary journal featuring a wide range of contemporary poetry, fiction, and other creative writing. It has published work by both prominent and lesser-known writers and is particularly associated with American small-press literary culture. Its editorial approach emphasizes breadth, community, and openness to varied literary voices rather than a single formal or ideological program.
Special literary editions · 1987
Themed issues
Chiron Review has produced special issues organized around cultural communities, historical experience, and artistic subjects. Documented examples include a Vietnam veterans issue, a punk rock issue, several LGBTQ+-focused issues, and a tribute issue dedicated to Gerald Locklin. These editions demonstrate the journal's use of thematic curation as a way to connect literary work with broader social and cultural contexts.
Marketing campaigns
- 2022Gerald Locklin tribute
United States · International literary community
Issue 127 was organized as a special tribute to Gerald Locklin, who had served as the journal's poetry editor for decades.
Outcome. The tribute documented Locklin's importance to the journal and its literary network after his death in 2021.
- 2009Punk rock issue
United States · Small-press literary community
Issue 89 used punk rock as its editorial theme and was guest edited by Sarah Daugherty.
Outcome. The issue reinforced the journal's willingness to connect literary publishing with independent music and countercultural scenes.
- 1987LGBTQ+ issue series
United States · International literary community
The journal began a documented series of LGBTQ+-focused issues with issue 13 in fall 1987. Additional issues appeared in 1992, 1997, 2005, and 2022–2023.
Outcome. The recurring series became a visible part of the journal's history of publishing work connected to LGBTQ+ writers and communities.
Brand decisions
2014
Resume publication in softcover book formatGeneration changeBackground
After the publication pause beginning in 2011, the journal resumed in fall 2014.
Action taken
Chiron Review shifted from tabloid newsprint to a 6-by-9-inch softcover book format.
Aftermath
The new format defined the journal's documented post-hiatus presentation.
2011
Pause publicationStrategyBackground
The journal had been published in tabloid newsprint format.
Action taken
Publication stopped in fall 2011.
Aftermath
The journal later returned in fall 2014 with a different physical format.
1989
Rename the publication Chiron ReviewStrategyBackground
The journal had been founded in 1982 under the name The Kindred Spirit.
Action taken
The title was changed to Chiron Review in March 1989.
Aftermath
Chiron Review became the publication's established name and continued under that title.
Recent events
- 2024
Paul Kareem Tayyar resigns from Chiron Review[1]
Leadership change
Paul Kareem Tayyar's resignation from the poetry editorial staff was reported for 2024.
- 2023
Chiron Review publishes combined LGBTQ+ issue[1]
Campaign
Combined issues 128/129, covering winter 2022 and spring 2023, continued the journal's series of LGBTQ+-focused issues.
- 2022
Tribute issue honors Gerald Locklin[1]
Campaign
Issue 127, published in fall 2022, was a special tribute to Gerald Locklin and was edited by Michael Hathaway.
- 2019
Gerald Locklin leaves poetry editor role[1]
Leadership change
Gerald Locklin resigned as poetry editor in late 2019 because of health concerns.
- 2014
Chiron Review resumes in softcover book format[1]
Product generation · Other
Publication resumed in fall 2014 using a 6-by-9-inch softcover book format instead of its earlier tabloid newsprint presentation.
- 2011
Publication pauses[1]
Other
The journal ceased publication in fall 2011 before returning several years later.
- 2009
Chiron Review publishes punk rock issue[1]
Campaign
Issue 89, released in fall 2009, focused on punk rock and was guest edited by Sarah Daugherty.
- 1991
Chiron Review publishes Vietnam veterans issue[1]
Other
Issue 26, published in spring 1991, was written and edited by Vietnam veterans under the editorship of Andrew Gettler.
- 1989
Chiron Review changes its title from The Kindred Spirit[1]
Other · Leadership change
The literary journal adopted the name Chiron Review in March 1989 and added Gerald Locklin and Rafael Zepeda to poetry and fiction editorial roles.
Sources2 sources
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