Concho River Review

Concho River Review was an American literary magazine associated with Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas. Founded in 1987 by Terry Dalrymple, the journal began with a strong regional orientation, emphasizing Southwestern writers, landscapes, communities, and cultural perspectives. Over time, it broadened its editorial scope and became a more nationally and internationally oriented literary publication while retaining its West Texas identity. The journal published several forms of contemporary writing, including short stories, poetry, creative nonfiction, interviews, and book reviews. Its contributors included both established and emerging writers. Names associated with the publication include Seth Abramson, Jacob M. Appel, Wendy Barker, Robert Cooperman, Paul Dickey, Robert Flynn, A.C. Greene, R.S. Gwynn, Jane Hammons, Rolando Hinojosa, Walt McDonald, Robert McGuill, Ann McVay, Joe Edward Morris, Naomi Shihab Nye, Clay Reynolds, Ryan Shoemaker, Roland Sodowsky, Jan Seale, Christopher Wood, and Alessio Zanelli. Interviews were an important recurring feature, particularly in the fall issue. Beginning with the Angelo State University Writers Conference in 1996, the journal published interviews with featured conference writers. Interview subjects included Naomi Shihab Nye, Peter Hedges, Gordon Weaver, Tim O'Brien, Tobias Wolff, Luis Valdez, Terrance Hayes, Mary Karr, Leslie Marmon Silko, Art Spiegelman, Craig Johnson, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, and Laila Lalami. This relationship connected the review's literary publishing program with the university's role as a host for writers and readers. The final published issue was volume 37, number 1, identified as the spring/summer 2023 issue. At that point the publication entered an indefinite hiatus. Later information indicates that, by fall 2025, Concho River Review had discontinued publication. Its 36-year run made it a long-standing regional literary institution and an outlet for writing that connected Southwestern literary traditions with broader American and international literary culture.

Concho River Review was established in 1987 in San Angelo, Texas, by Terry Dalrymple. Operating in association with Angelo State University, it developed as a literary journal serving writers, readers, and the university's broader cultural community. Its early editorial identity was closely tied to the American Southwest. The journal focused on authors from the region and on writing shaped by Southwestern settings, histories, and social experience. Although regional literary identity remained part of the publication's character, Concho River Review eventually expanded its editorial range. It published writing from authors throughout the United States and from outside the country, moving beyond a narrowly geographic remit. Its principal forms included short stories, poetry, creative nonfiction, interviews, and book reviews. This combination allowed the journal to function as a venue for original literary work while also providing critical and conversational material about writers and books. The publication had a particularly close relationship with the Angelo State University Writers Conference. From the conference's inception in 1996, interviews with featured writers became a recurring component of the journal's fall issue. These interviews brought nationally recognized authors and artists into the publication and reinforced its connection to literary events at the university. Subjects included Naomi Shihab Nye, Peter Hedges, Gordon Weaver, Tim O'Brien, Tobias Wolff, Luis Valdez, Terrance Hayes, Mary Karr, Leslie Marmon Silko, Art Spiegelman, Craig Johnson, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, and Laila Lalami. Across its run, the journal published or featured a broad group of contributors, including Seth Abramson, Jacob M. Appel, Wendy Barker, Robert Cooperman, Paul Dickey, Robert Flynn, A.C. Greene, R.S. Gwynn, Jane Hammons, Rolando Hinojosa, Walt McDonald, Robert McGuill, Ann McVay, Joe Edward Morris, Naomi Shihab Nye, Clay Reynolds, Ryan Shoemaker, Roland Sodowsky, Jan Seale, Christopher Wood, and Alessio Zanelli. The contributor record reflects the journal's transition from a primarily Southwestern platform to a publication with a wider literary network. The final issue was volume 37, number 1, published for spring/summer 2023. The journal then entered an indefinite hiatus. Later reference information states that by fall 2025 it had discontinued publication. Concho River Review therefore represents a completed literary-journal project rather than an active periodical. Its historical significance rests on its long publication run, its support for Southwestern and wider literary voices, and its sustained connection to the Angelo State University Writers Conference.

• 2025

  Publication discontinued

  [1]Concho River Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  By fall 2025, Concho River Review was described as discontinued.

• 2023

  Final issue and indefinite hiatus

  [1]Concho River Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  Volume 37, number 1, the spring/summer 2023 issue, became the journal's final published issue before an indefinite hiatus.

• 1996

  Writers Conference interview program begins

  [1]Concho River Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  The journal began publishing interviews with featured writers from the Angelo State University Writers Conference, especially as part of its fall issue.

• 1987

  Journal founded

  [1]Concho River Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  Terry Dalrymple founded Concho River Review in San Angelo, Texas, establishing a literary publication associated with Angelo State University.

A university-associated literary journal with roots in Southwestern writing and a later national and international editorial reach. The publication combined creative work with interviews and criticism, presenting itself as both a regional cultural institution and a broader literary venue.

• Literary magazine · 1987

  Concho River Review

  The journal's main publication, presenting short stories, poetry, creative nonfiction, interviews, and book reviews. It began with an emphasis on Southwestern writers and settings and later included contributors from across the United States and abroad. The publication ended with volume 37, number 1, issued for spring/summer 2023.

• Author interview series · 1996

  Writers Conference interviews

  A recurring editorial feature connected to the Angelo State University Writers Conference. Beginning in 1996, interviews with conference writers appeared in the journal, particularly in fall issues, and included conversations with figures such as Tim O'Brien, Tobias Wolff, Mary Karr, Leslie Marmon Silko, Art Spiegelman, and Laila Lalami.

• 2023

  Entering an indefinite hiatusOther

  Background

  After more than three decades of publication, the journal reached volume 37, number 1.

  Action taken

  The spring/summer 2023 issue was published as the final issue, after which the journal entered an indefinite hiatus.

  Aftermath

  The publication did not resume and was later described as discontinued by fall 2025.

  Source

• 1996

  Integrating Writers Conference interviews into the journalStrategy

  Background

  The Angelo State University Writers Conference created an ongoing source of featured writers and literary programming for the university community.

  Action taken

  Concho River Review began publishing interviews with conference writers, making the conversations a recurring feature associated particularly with the fall issue.

  Aftermath

  The feature became a durable part of the journal's editorial identity and connected the periodical with a succession of nationally and internationally known authors.

  Source

• 2025

  Concho River Review discontinued after an indefinite hiatus[1]Concho River Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  By fall 2025, the journal was described as having discontinued publication rather than continuing its earlier hiatus.

• 2023

  Concho River Review publishes its final issue[1]Concho River Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Volume 37, number 1, designated the spring/summer 2023 issue, was the last published issue of the journal before it entered an indefinite hiatus.

1. 1Concho River Reviewen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Concho River Review official pageangelo.edu