By Daniel Larios
Staff Writer

March 21, 2014 -- The Spring 2014 issue of the only nationally distributed literary magazine published by a community college is now available for public consumption.

Santa Monica College's (SMC) national literary arts journal, the Santa Monica Review, has been released and will be available at the 17th annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on April 12 and 13 at the University of Southern California.

The new issue features works by renowned Latino poet and novelist Gary Soto (What Poets are Like), novelist Karl Taro Greenfeld (Triburbia), screenwriter Steve De Jarnatt (Miracle Mile), and short story writer Trinie Dalton (Wide Eyed).

SMC will be hosting a booth at the Festival, where representatives of the college will be giving out free sample copies of the journal as well as selling the Spring 2014 issue. 

“SMC has been present for most of the 17 years of the Festival, and made available free sample copies of Santa Monica Review to participants as part of its commitment to encouraging literacy and engagement with the literary arts,” said Andrew Tonkovich, editor of the Santa Monica Review and host of “Bibliocracy” on KPFK (90.7 FM).

The publication is available for $7 per issue or $12 for the two issues each year.

The new issue of the Review presents both stories and essays, including works from novelist Mark Maxwell (Nixoncarver), Michael Cadnum (Seize the Storm), Santa Monica College Creative Writing Workshop alum Kathleen MacKay and instructor Monona Wali.

Stand-out work includes a nonfiction meditation on being the wife of a minor league baseball player from poet Lorene Delany-Ullman (Camouflage for the Neighborhood), a revisionist romp through the mind of Ronald Reagan from novelist Christian Kiefer (The Infinite Tides), and a fabulist dating game reality show send-up from journalist Michelle Chihara.

Cover art for the Review's Spring 2014 edition is by Fullerton College instructor and celebrated graphic artist Deborah Davidson, according to Tankovich.

In addition to an appearance at the Festival of Books, SMC will also be hosting a celebration for the new issues on Sunday, April 6 at 4 p.m. At The Edye at the SMC Performing Arts Center.  "Santa Monica Review Presents..." will be introduced by short story and novel writer Gary Amdahl (Across My Big Brass Bed) and will feature readings by Dalton, Greenfeld, De Jarnatt, and novelist and SMR contributor Victoria Patterson (This Vacant Paradise).

Tickets are available through Brownpapertickets.com and costs $10. Refreshments will be served, and books will be available for purchase. Free parking on premises.

Santa Monica Review was founded by SMC instructor and novelist Jim Krusoe (Blood Lake, Parsifal) and is published twice a year by Santa Monica College. The journal showcases the literary voices of established authors and emerging writers.

During its 25 years of publication, the Review has presented works of fiction and nonfiction -- including writing by authors such as Michelle Latiolais, Gary Amdahl, Alan Cheuse, Diane Lefer, the late James Houston, and Jervey Tervalon. The Review has been included in the prestigious Best American Short Stories series and other outstanding anthologies, according to Tankovich.

Santa Monica Review is available for sale online and at the SMC Bookstore, Beyond Baroque in Venice, and other area booksellers. Copies are also available by mail and by subscription through Santa Monica Review, Santa Monica College, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica 90405.