About
Ploughshares has published quality literature since 1971 and has been based at Emerson College in downtown Boston since 1989. Ploughshares blends the unique editorial perspectives of two guest-edited issues with two staff-edited issues each year, showcasing a variety of established and emerging writers across each issue.
Emerson College resides on the ancestral and unceded lands of the Massachusett people, whose name was appropriated by this Commonwealth. We pay respect to the Massachusett elders past and present. We acknowledge the truth of violence perpetrated in the name of this country and make a commitment to uncovering that truth.
History
1971: Ploughshares is founded by DeWitt Henry and Peter O’Malley.
1978: Ploughshares receives a major National Endowment for the Arts grant.
1989: Ploughshares becomes affiliated with Emerson College, remaining editorially independent.
1990: The first Ploughshares International Fiction Writing Seminar takes place at Emerson’s Kasteel Well in The Netherlands.
1994: Don Lee is appointed Editor of Ploughshares.
2004: The Ploughshares Blog launches.
2008: Ladette Randolph becomes Editor-in-chief/Executive Director of Ploughshares.
2009: Ploughshares fully merges with Emerson College.
2011: Ploughshares celebrates its 40th anniversary, releasing a digital edition of the literary journal and a new logo.
2012: Ploughshares launches the Ploughshares Solos series of digital-first long stories and essays.
2013: The first Ploughshares Solos Omnibus is published and all back issues are made available in digital formats.
2014: Ploughshares launches a newly designed blog and website.
2016: Ploughshares celebrates its 45th anniversary with a specialty issue guest-edited by Claire Messud and James Wood.
2018: Ploughshares reimagines the Solos series as the Fall Longform issue, a venue for longer stories and essays.
2021: Ploughshares celebrates its 50th anniversary and hosts a virtual gala with featured guest editors and writers in conversation. Proceeds went to the Ploughshares Anniversary Fund.
2023: Ploughshares meets its fundraising goal for the Ploughshares Anniversary Fund, ensuring its commitment to pay writers for their excellence in the literary arts.
2025: Ladette Randolph retires and longtime Poetry Editor John Skoyles is named Interim Editor-in-chief.