LA's local literature

Katherine Manderfield writes a post for the LAist, defending the importance and terrificness of LA lit mags (especially against NYC lit mags, which she sees as more pretentious!). Even though it's still based around a major urban center, the article does introduce its readers to a variety of otherwise under-the-rader publications, and is a nice reminder of the continued influence and importance of the regional, even in the space-age. The (somewhat defensive) piece begins:

So maybe our city isn’t host to regal literary journals like Harper’s, Granta, or The Paris Review. And, yes, elite literary parlors with Merlot and Camembert on doilies seem somewhat amiss in a city where flames seize shrubs more often than fireplaces. But that doesn’t mean LA’s literary publications fall short. It just means we’re not stuck up. In truth, several esteemed lit journals prevail in our unassuming city. And with good reason: like many things considered pompous elsewhere (tattoos, indie music, modern art, the color black), literary magazines are cooler in Los Angeles.