By Lookout Staff

October 18, 2010 -- Earthquakes, elections and surviving war are among the topics explored in the Fall 2010 issue of Santa Monica Review, Santa Monica College's widely praised national literary arts journal.

Edited by Andrew Tonkovich, the issue features an eclectic mix of cutting-edge short stories and essays by acclaimed writer Karl Taro Greenfeld, frequent contributor Janice Shapiro ("Bummer") and essays by Michelle Latiolais ("A Proper Knowledge, Widow") and Judith Grossman ("How Aliens Think").

Katherine Karlin offers a cautionary fictional Southern California earthquake civics lesson, Greenfeld (Best American Short Stories) envisions a Japanese artist who survives World War II, and first-time contributor (and first time published) J.J. Strong recalls election night 2008 with a dysfunctional American family.

The issue also includes two short-shorts by local playwright Stephanie Kerley Schwartz and a long story by San Francisco artist-writer John Zaklikowski. Christian Winn of Boise, Idaho portrays love, gambling and gambling with love. Christopher Hood tells a story about storytelling, and Michael Guista takes apart voice, identity and marriage.

"I read work submitted by writers all around the country," says Tonkovich, "but have indeed tried to publish and promote writers from this part of the world. They also happen to be some of the best fiction and nonfiction creative writers anywhere."

Cover art for the fall 2010 edition is by artist Lydia Conklin.

Published twice a year, the Santa Monica Review has showcased the literary voices of established authors and emerging writers since its founding more than 20 years ago by Jim Krusoe, an SMC English professor and author.

Since then, the Review has presented readers experimental, thoughtful, and funny works of fiction and nonfiction. Establishing a reputation as one of the West Coast's leading journals.

Santa Monica Review is available for sale online and at the SMC Bookstore, Beyond Baroque in Venice, and other area booksellers. Copies are also available by mail and by subscription through Santa Monica Review, Santa Monica College, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica 90405.

The publication is available for $7 per issue or $12 for the two issues each year.

For more information, call (310) 434-3597 or visit the Santa Monica Review website, http://www.smc.edu/sm_review.