Inside IR: Meet the Editors

Welcome to the first installment of our “Meet the Editors” series, in which we get to know the people behind the scenes who make IR happen!  First up, our fearless and visionary leader, Editor Deborah Kim.

Where are you from?
San Diego, California, though I’ve lived in many other parts of southern California. I miss the constant sunshine the most.

Favorite issue of IR?

Our upcoming Winter 2011 issue, 34.1 — which is maybe a boring answer, I know! It’s hard not to be biased toward something you’ve worked on for so long; I remember fighting hard for a lot of the work. We hope every issue is compelling and ambitious, but for me, this one especially is amazing. And the cover artwork!

Favorite non-IR journals?

Annalemma publishes both print and online content and this magazine is newer than others, but a gorgeous artifact in both mediums. Lucky Peach only has two issues out so far, but it’s a wonderful, clever, absolutely fun magazine about food, and I’m totally in love with it. GRANTA is also so so so good. Every issue is dense and put together so cohesively. Finally, I also admire (among so many others!) the work of Black Warrior Review, Gulf Coast, Hobart, Ninth Letter, [PANK], and Fairy Tale Review.

What/who is on your reading wishlist right now?

Stuart Dybek’s collections, Lydia Davis’s Collected Stories, Chris Adrian’s The Children’s Hospital, Jennifer Egan’s The Keep, just to name a few.

Okay, so imagine you have a whole afternoon at your favorite coffee shop to read all those books. Where are you and what do you order?

Oh, probably Sweet Claire’s [in Bloomington]. Raspberry-chocolate coffee and a fruit brioche. It’s a cozy place with the most wonderful staff and also spectacular pastries.

Mmm.  Thanks, Deb!