It was founded by Lowry Wimberly and a small group of his students, who together formed the Wordsmith Chapter of Sigma Upsilon (a national honorary literary society).

Although many assume it is a regional magazine, it is nationally and internationally distributed and publishes writers from all over the United States and the world.

Prairie Schooner's current editor (2011–present) is Jamaican/Ghanaian poet and author Kwame Dawes.

[1] It is run by the literary magazine Prairie Schooner and University of Nebraska Press.

[2][3] Manuscripts are accepted from all living writers, including non-US citizens, writing in English.