Root Quarterly (RQ) is a print-only, subscription-based quarterly journal rooted in Philadelphia, but presenting content from Pennsylvania and beyond. We celebrate our artists, writers, social entrepreneurs, and neighborhoods, and print critical analyses of larger ideas, and criticism and appreciation of nationally relevant cultural touchstones. We also reprint articles and essays from other publications that we think deserve a larger audience. Expect profiles, recommendations, fiction, poetry, essays, and analysis. Expect art. Expect to hold something in your hand that you might want to curl up with on a Sunday afternoon that may by turns delight, challenge, and inspire you.
RQ is One Part Collaborative Art Project…
RQ is beautiful, carefully curated, and culturally relevant. Our team consists of professional editors, writers, photographers, and artists who want to make something interesting and insightful. It’s a self-funded project published by Red Pen Arts founder Heather Shayne Blakeslee; she also serves as editor-in-chief.
…And One Part Social Experiment
RQ will seek opportunities to bring people together by finding common ground, challenging reactionary and divisive politics, fostering civil dialogue, and celebrating interesting artists and ideas. It will not offer full content online, it won’t spend precious resources on constant interactions on social media, and it won’t have a comments section—but thoughtful letters to the editor will be most welcome.
This winter, we’re intentionally (and strategically) expanding our reach across the Keystone State to collaborate and build community with our counterparts in Pittsburgh. Artistically and politically, ours is a diverse and fascinating state; one to watch, for sure! As we continue to engage in the BIG conversations, we’d love to welcome you and yours as subscribers, contributors, and partners.
To learn more about who we are, subscribe and submit, please visit us at rootquarterly.com or drop us a line at editor@rootquarterly.com.
Upcoming Opportunities
WINTER // Fearful Symmetry // PITCH DEADLINE: OCTOBER 10
Tradeoffs are part of any endeavor, philosophy, or bargain. What does that mean when it comes to surveillance capitalism? To public policy? To art? Are echoes of the past not ghosts, but guidance? Can we be wrong and right at the same time? How do we live in a precariously balanced world? This is our Keystone State crossover issue. We’ve extended our deadline for Littsburgh subscribers to October 10.
SPRING // Lions & Lambs // PITCH DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 15
Conversation about “the God-shaped hole” in modern people’s lives is mounting. Are new religions emergent? Who are the new heretics? How do we hold both peace and violence in ourselves? What does it mean to love? What role should spirituality play in our lives? How much are we different from, and the same as, other animals?
An Interview with Root Quarterly Publisher and Editor Heather Shayne Blakeslee:
From the Publisher: "In this “smart, irreverent secret history” (Stewart O’Nan) Sewickley set novel by highly praised Pittsburgh native author Anna Read more
We’ve been celebrating literary Pittsburgh since 2015 without a break, so for the ten year anniversary of Littsburgh, we decided Read more
Want to get your writing mojo back? Attend Seton Hill U’s In Your Write Mind Writers conference. $120 for the Read more
New York, NY — The Community of Literary Magazines & Presses (CLMP), the national nonprofit organization that for 58 years Read more
From the Publisher: "Imagine that you are a child who was born in a large family, and during your childhood, Read more
From Mt. Lebanon Magazine by way of Facebook: "On February 18, the Mt. Lebanon Public Library Board of Trustees passed Read more
"The City of Pittsburgh, with funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), is launching the Support for Artists Grant Read more
Littsburgh's founder Rachel Ekstrom Courage (now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author!) recently stopped by KDKA to Read more
"The Drue Heinz Literature Prize recognizes and supports writers of short fiction and makes their work available to readers around Read more
"For the 2025 prize, the Autumn House staff as well as select outsider readers serve as the preliminary readers, and Read more
"Applications are now open for Read Local Eat Local 2025! This is event is on Saturday, September 6, from 11 Read more
"What: This is an annual, alumni-run writers workshop. It features writing-related classes, agent pitch sessions, a book signing, and other Read more
"Calling all plot twisters, world builders, and romance stirrers! Join fellow genre lovers, top-tier agents, sharp-eyed editors, and bestselling authors Read more
PITTSBURGH — Prime Stage Theatre celebrates its 29th season with three world premieres commissioned from three Pittsburgh playwrights: Nov. 7-16, 2025 – Mr. Read more
From our friends at Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures: Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures’ 2025/26 roster of acclaimed authors for our Ten Read more
PITTSBURGH, PA – It’s time to book your spot! Registration for the 2025 Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books is officially Read more
"United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania hosted its seventh annual Big Book Drop event on April 15-17 at Acrisure Stadium, where Read more
"The Northern Appalachia Review welcomes submissions of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction written about, representing, or engaging with the experience of Read more
But this too is true: stories can save us The writer Tim O’Brien calls storytelling an essential human activity. "The Read more
Press Release: Art All Night Pittsburgh is back in full force this April 26-27, 2025 starting at 4 pm and Read more
