Tell us about what The Rose & Thorn Literary e-zine offers readers.

The Rose & Thorn Literary E-zine has been showcasing the best of the web since 1998, -- an almost unheard of run for a literary magazine online. The Rose & Thorn features fiction, nonfiction and poetry, as well as author interviews and resources for writers.

We offer a free bimonthly newsletter and message boards where we attract a thriving community of writers and readers. Our stories are illustrated with art and the site is a pleasure to tour. The e-zine nominates for the Pushcart Prize, and has won dozens of awards, most recently being named as one of the "101 Best Websites for Writers" by Writer's Digest Magazine. In addition, The Rose & Thorn placed in the top ten of last year's Preditors & Editors Readers poll in the categories of Poetry, Fiction, Editor and Cover Design. It was also picked as one of the "Top Five Internet Envy Sites" by Writer's Digest in 2002. We recently began offering feedback for a small donation of $3 for stories and poems that we feel could benefit from a few pointers.

What inspired you to create The Rose & Thorn?

The site was originally launched as an AOL member page by the talented Jasmin Randick, and after the first couple of issues, I joined her. Jas and I met at an AOL writing site and we both loved to write and felt that there weren't enough places for new voices. We went on to co-manage the zine until 2003, when she regrettably decided to leave to devote more time to her family. I moved forward with the help of the staffers and obtained a domain on the net, www.theroseandthornezine.com.

What do you enjoy the most about publishing your e-zine?

The zine has always been staffed by a group of dedicated volunteers from all over the world who take on the many tasks necessary to keep the site running. Most staffers are themselves accomplished and struggling writers who work one-on-one with writers to edit and polish accepted pieces of prose and poetry. This camaraderie is invigorating, uplifting and I also find it inspiring to me in my own writing.

If a writer would like to submit a story to your e-zine, how should she/he proceed?

As an editor, what words of advice can you offer to writers about working with editors.

I would advise two things. First, check your ego at the door and listen to what your editor says. Second, a good editor is as rare as a good lover. When you find one, I'd recommend you try to keep him or her happy!