October Hill Magazine set sail on its maiden voyage as a non-profit magazine in the Spring of 2017 in New York City. The magazine grew out of the Literary Lights Writer’s Group, a collective of aspiring fiction authors and poets founded in 2015 by Richard Merli, who believed strongly in the need for a digital platform from which new and aspiring writers could express their creativity. We simply believe in honoring new talent and publishing the very best of new literary and visual works for the purpose of enriching our readers culturally and intellectually. We recognize the perils of launching a cultural magazine at a time when our national arts and letters have come under political attack and are being deprived of the funding and support needed not only to survive, but to flourish. In spite of this, we firmly believe that there has never been a more important time to provide both new and established artists with a platform and a voice. Along with a team of dedicated and passionate editors, Richard grew the publication to what it is today until his passing in August 2023. The magazine continues forward with the memory of its founder, publisher, and first editorial director.
We currently publish four issues per year in which we review, select and publish the very best work in the categories of short story, poetry and photography/illustration.
We spring from humble beginnings and are therefore open to new ideas, diverse styles, and dialogue with the larger artistic community, which we are a part of. Our door will always be open. Come and grow with us!
