“Poetry brings sanity to an insane world,” the editors of the Haight Ashbury Literary Journal say, “We’re maybe the sort of utopia of an old Chinese poet writing poems and dropping them into the stream.”
HISTORY
Our small press emerged from the community solidarity and cultural ferment of San Francisco in the late 1970s, founded by Indigo Hotchkiss and Cliff McIntire. The organization’s origin story embodies the transformative power of literature that continues to define our mission today. Cliff McIntire, a Korean War veteran, discovered his voice as a poet while incarcerated at San Quentin prison, where he learned the craft of poetry and developed a deep understanding of how writing can serve as both healing and liberation for marginalized communities. Upon his release, McIntire became an active and influential figure in San Francisco’s vibrant poetry community. In the fall of 1979, he began hosting a series of Poetry Reading dinners in his living room, creating an intimate space where writers could share their work and build meaningful connections. These gatherings, infused with the collaborative and inclusive spirit of the era, gradually evolved into what would become the Haight Ashbury Literary Journal. This organic genesis reflects our ongoing commitment to grassroots community building and the belief that literature thrives when nurtured in spaces of genuine connection and mutual support.
Originally formed in the iconic Haight Ashbury district, where we put on readings at the SFPL Park Branch and sell our journal at Bound Together bookstore. We have maintained our deep roots in the city’s literary landscape and our commitment to serving writers and readers throughout the Bay Area and beyond. The magazine serves a diverse constituency of writers and readers, with particular focus on those whose voices have been historically underrepresented in traditional literary publications. Our contributors include emerging poets finding their voice for the first time, established writers seeking a publication that aligns with their values, and individuals who have experienced poverty, homelessness, incarceration, or other forms of systemic oppression. We believe that great literature can emerge from any circumstance, and we are honored to provide a platform for these essential stories.
impact
The Haight Ashbury Literary Journal offers a range of programming designed to support writers and engage the broader San Francisco literary community. Our cornerstone publication is our annual journal, which provides a platform for diverse voices while maintaining the highest literary standards. Submission to our journal is free, requiring only the cost of postage, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent talented writers from sharing their work with our readership. Throughout the year, we organize readings and open mic events in partnership with the San Francisco Public Library and local independent bookstores across the city. These events serve multiple purposes: they provide performance opportunities for writers, create spaces for community building, and help maintain the vital connection between storytelling and live audience engagement that has long been a hallmark of both San Francisco’s literary culture and an oral tradition of poetry. Our programming is intentionally designed to be accessible and inclusive, removing barriers that might prevent participation while maintaining the quality and integrity that has earned the magazine its reputation over more than four decades of operation.
Our organization serves a uniquely diverse population of writers and readers, with particular emphasis on those whose voices have been marginalized or excluded from mainstream literary discourse. There are usually about 60 poets in each issue with a Featured writer. Our contributors include both emerging and established poets, with many having experienced poverty, homelessness, incarceration, or other forms of social and economic marginalization. We recognize that the communities we serve face numerous challenges, including limited access to traditional publishing opportunities, financial barriers to participation in literary events, and systemic exclusion from literary institutions. Our programming is designed to address these needs by providing free or low-cost submission opportunities, accessible venues for readings and performances, and a publication platform that values diverse perspectives and unconventional voices. The needs of our community extend beyond simple publication opportunities. Many of our contributors benefit from the sense of community and validation that comes from seeing their work in print alongside other talented writers. For formerly incarcerated individuals, immigrants, and those experiencing housing instability, literary publication can provide both personal affirmation and broader social recognition of their humanity and creative capacity.
legacy
The Haight Ashbury Literary Journal brings several unique strengths to San Francisco’s literary landscape. Our editorial team has developed a remarkable eye for emerging talent, having published several writers early in their careers who later became Poet Laureates. Some of our writers have included Devorah Major, Lorna Dee Cervantes, and Lee Herrick. This track record speaks to both our commitment to quality and our ability to recognize and nurture literary excellence across diverse voices and styles.
Our deep integration into San Francisco’s cultural fabric represents another significant asset. Over more than four decades, we have forged strong relationships throughout the city’s literary community, including partnerships with local writers, the San Francisco Public Library, and historical institutions such as the Beat Museum and Counterculture Museum. These connections provide us with unique access to programming opportunities and help ensure that our work remains connected to the broader cultural ecosystem of the city. Additionally, the relationship we have forged with local independent bookstores has been particularly valuable, providing venues for our events while supporting the broader infrastructure of literary culture in San Francisco. These partnerships reflect our understanding that literary magazines cannot exist in isolation but must be part of a larger network of institutions and relationships that sustain creative communities.
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