The journal publishes innovative fiction, poetry, criticism, drama, art and interviews by both emerging and established writers.

It provides a forum for nearly 1,000 writers and artists "whose work challenges accepted forms and modes of expression, experiments with language and thought, and is fully realized art", according to the "Letter from the Editor" on its website.

It aims to maintain consistently high editorial and production quality with the intention of attracting a large and varied audience.

Both the editor and the distinguished staff of active contributing editors — including Walter Abish, John Ashbery, Mei-mei Berssenbrugge, Mary Caponegro, Elizabeth Frank, William H. Gass, Peter Gizzi, Jorie Graham, Robert Kelly, Ann Lauterbach, Norman Manea, W.S.

Merwin, Rick Moody, Joanna Scott, Peter Straub, William Weaver and John Edgar Wideman — rely on the advice of fellow writers across the country.