McSweeney's Quarterly Concern

McSweeney's Quarterly Concern was founded by Dave Eggers in 1998, originally conceived as a venue for publishing literary works that had been rejected by mainstream magazines. Eggers, who had recently completed his memoir A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, established the publication in the San Francisco Bay Area as part of what became the broader McSweeney's independent publishing house.

Each issue of the Quarterly Concern is uniquely designed, with past issues taking the form of a hardcover book, a bundle of small booklets, a foldout newspaper, a deck of cards, and even a DVD case. This commitment to experimental physical format distinguishes it from conventional literary journals like The Paris Review or Granta and has made each issue a collectible object.

The journal has featured work by numerous acclaimed writers, including Michael Chabon, Jonathan Franzen, Zadie Smith, and Rick Moody, often publishing experimental or shorter pieces that didn't fit conventional magazine formats. Many contributors have gone on to publish full-length books through McSweeney's own book publishing division.

Yes, McSweeney's continues to publish the Quarterly Concern alongside its book imprint, the daily humor website McSweeney's Internet Tendency, and a children's books division. The organization has also published The Believer magazine, which it launched in 2003 under the editorial direction of Heidi Julavits and Vendela Vida.