P. N. Review

P. N. Review is a United Kingdom literary periodical devoted primarily to poetry and the wider culture surrounding it. Its editorial mix extends beyond original poems: issues have included editorials, letters, literary news and notes, critical and scholarly articles, interviews, features, translations, and an extensive book-review section. This combination places the magazine between a poetry journal, a review publication, and a forum for debate about contemporary literary practice. The publication began in 1973 at the Victoria University of Manchester under the title Poetry Nation. It was founded by poet and publisher Michael Schmidt and Professor Brian Cox, initially appearing twice a year in hardback form. The original format and title positioned the magazine as a substantial literary object rather than a short-format news publication. In 1976, it changed its name to P. N. Review and moved to quarterly publication in an A4 paperback format. The change also coincided with the expansion of its editorial board: Donald Davie and C. H. Sisson joined Schmidt and Cox, bringing additional academic and poetic perspectives to the magazine's direction. The editorial structure changed over time as members retired. Brian Cox left the board, followed several years later by Donald Davie and C. H. Sisson. Michael Schmidt remained the central figure associated with the publication's development. Since 1981, P. N. Review has appeared six times a year, giving it a regular presence in the British and international poetry calendar. The magazine's continuing format has allowed it to combine new writing with criticism, literary discussion, and sustained attention to books and translations. P. N. Review is also part of the formal research and reference infrastructure surrounding literary studies: the publication is indexed by the Modern Language Association. This indexing reflects its relevance not only to general poetry readers but also to scholars, students, critics, and libraries. By the September–October 2015 issue, the magazine had published 225 issues, indicating a long-running editorial history and a substantial archive. The brand's principal offering is the periodical itself, distributed through its website and conventional literary-magazine channels. Publicly available reference material does not establish a separate corporate owner, listed status, current editor roster, circulation figure, or financial profile. Accordingly, P. N. Review is best described here as a specialist British poetry and literary magazine whose identity rests on editorial continuity, original poetry, criticism, translation, interviews, and book reviewing.

P. N. Review originated in 1973 as Poetry Nation, a twice-yearly hardback poetry publication founded by Michael Schmidt and Brian Cox at the Victoria University of Manchester. Its initial form reflected an ambition to create a substantial national and international platform for poetry and literary discussion. In 1976, the publication adopted the name P. N. Review and changed its format to a quarterly A4 paperback. The same period saw the editorial board broaden through the participation of Donald Davie and C. H. Sisson alongside Schmidt and Cox. The magazine's editorial history subsequently involved the retirement of several founding or early board members. Brian Cox left first, with Davie and Sisson departing from the board some years later. The available reference material identifies Michael Schmidt as the continuing central figure in the publication's development, but it does not provide a complete current editorial staff list or a detailed account of later organizational changes. Since 1981, P. N. Review has been published six times annually. Its regular contents have included editorials, correspondence, literary news and notes, essays and articles, interviews, features, original poems, translations, and a substantial section devoted to book reviews. This broad editorial structure has enabled the magazine to function both as a venue for creative work and as a critical record of poetry and literary culture. The publication has also acquired significance for academic and library users. It is indexed by the Modern Language Association, linking the magazine to the scholarly study of poetry and literature. By the September–October 2015 issue, the periodical had reached 225 issues. The available sources do not establish its current ownership, circulation, financial performance, or exact present-day publication status, so those fields remain unspecified.

• 2015

  225th issue recorded

  [1]P. N. Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  The September–October 2015 issue was identified as the magazine's 225th issue.

• 1981

  Publication frequency increased

  [1]P. N. Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  P. N. Review began appearing six times per year, the frequency associated with the magazine in the supplied reference material.

• 1976

  Renamed P. N. Review

  [1]P. N. Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  The publication adopted the P. N. Review name and moved to quarterly publication in an A4 paperback format.

• 1976

  Editorial board expanded

  [1]P. N. Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  Donald Davie and C. H. Sisson joined Michael Schmidt and Brian Cox on the editorial board.

• 1973

  Launch as Poetry Nation

  [1]P. N. Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  Michael Schmidt and Brian Cox founded the publication at the Victoria University of Manchester as a twice-yearly hardback titled Poetry Nation.

A long-running British poetry and literary periodical positioned as a substantial forum for new poetry, criticism, translation, interviews, literary commentary, and book reviews.

• Poetry and literary magazine · 1976

  P. N. Review

  The core publication is a recurring British poetry and literary magazine. Its editorial contents have encompassed original poems, translations, essays, interviews, features, editorials, letters, literary news and notes, and an extensive book-review section. The magazine serves both general readers of poetry and an academic audience, with its inclusion in the Modern Language Association index supporting its use as a scholarly reference.

• Original title and predecessor publication · 1973

  Poetry Nation

  Poetry Nation was the title under which the publication began in 1973. It appeared twice a year as a hardback before being renamed P. N. Review and redesigned as a quarterly A4 paperback in 1976.

• 1981

  Adopt a six-issue annual scheduleStrategy

  Background

  After operating as a quarterly magazine from 1976, the publication changed its release frequency.

  Action taken

  P. N. Review began publishing six times per year.

  Aftermath

  The higher frequency became a defining feature of the magazine's subsequent publication history.

  Source

• 1976

  Rename and redesign the publicationStrategy

  Background

  The publication began as the twice-yearly hardback Poetry Nation and later changed its name and physical format.

  Action taken

  It was renamed P. N. Review and converted to a quarterly A4 paperback.

  Aftermath

  The change established the P. N. Review identity and preceded the later six-issues-per-year schedule.

  Source

1. 1P. N. Reviewen.wikipedia.org
2. 2P. N. Review official websitepnreview.co.uk