After years in limbo, how did the Believer get back on track?

A lot of credit is owed to our devoted readership. People really spoke up and came to our aid, and made sure we were able to keep going. Our incredible staff also brought a ton of energy to restarting the magazine. They reenvisioned certain aspects, while still maintaining the Believer’s original character, which is really important to moving forward as a publication over the course of so many years.

Besides the upcoming 150th issue, what can we expect from the Believer this year?

We’re currently working on our first ever sports-themed issue. It’s very much in the works right now, and a lot of editors on staff rallied behind the idea.

As the book and magazine publishing communities face shrinking budgets, why do lit mags like the Believer matter?

It’s been important for us to create a community of writers and artists who are mutually supportive of one another. The Believer is a magazine for artists and writers, made by artists and writers, and that’s key to surviving and leading a creative life. It reinforces those connections for people, and creates a space to come together and learn about other perspectives. The original name for the Believer was actually the Optimist. One of the magazine’s founding principles was believing in the goodness of arts and culture, and their ability to be a force of good in the world. That’s still one of the animating qualities of our work.