Farewell to Prufrock

PEN SA notes with sadness the closure of South African literary journal, Prufrock.

Started five years ago by a group of four young writers – Helen Sullivan, James King, Anneke Rautenbach and Nick Mulgrew – the journal has consistently published some of the best new writing from both established and unknown local names. This has made it a staple read among literary lovers across the country and, indeed, the world.

Upon the release of its 15th issue this month, editor Sullivan announced that it would also be Prufrock’s last.

“Above all, what we wanted from Prufrock for readers was something that was enjoyable. I hope we have achieved that. We will miss putting this magazine together, and all that comes with it. We hope that you will miss reading Prufrock, too – maybe even enough to start your own literary magazine,” she writes in her farewell note.

The last edition was put together by an editorial team consisting of Sullivan, Mulgrew (fiction editor), Simone Haysom (non-fiction editor) and Genna Gardini (poetry editor). Mulgrew, Haysom and Gardini are all also PEN SA members, so is founding member, Rautenbach.

Issue 15 features a diverse range of contributions, including four fiction pieces, five poems, five pieces of non-fiction and some graphic fiction.

Be sure to show your support for what has truly been a bold and enriching contribution to literature in South Africa by purchasing a copy of Prufrock one last time.

Prufrock’s closure comes in the wake of a similar announcement from digital literary journal, Aerodrome earlier this year.