[2] It is published by the Department of English at Eastern Michigan University and the editors-in-chief are Abby Coykendall and Andrea Kaston Tange.

In An Introduction to Narratology, Monika Fludernik lists it as one of "the most important journals in the field".

The journal published papers that focused on the authorial management of narrative elements, drawing subject matter from all periods and genres of English literature, including prose and verse.

George Perkins approached the Ohio State University Press about founding a new journal with James Phelan as editor.

The title change reflected the variety of new critical perspectives affecting contributors and readers over the preceding five years; emphasizing theory over technique expanded the journal's "interpretive boundaries to include more broadly historical and cultural influences of narrative."