The Pinch is a nationally recognized literary journal published by the University of Memphis. Our name is derived from the historic Pinch District in Memphis, once a residential area for Irish immigrants and Jewish merchants. By referencing one of Memphis’ first communities, we aim to reflect the heart of our city’s history and the soul of our creative approach as we publish diverse voices.

In addition to representing Memphis and the university, our mission is to provide creative writing students with experience in literary publishing and to publish works of literary and artistic quality. We publish fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and visual art and photography.  We receive submissions from established and emerging writers from all over the world.

The Pinch is generously supported by a grant from the Hohenberg Foundation.

The Pinch has been available in Barnes & Noble since the Spring of 2007, as well as in independent bookstores.  The Pinch, and its predecessors River City and the Memphis State Review, are indexed by The Index of American Periodical Verse, The American Humanities Index, Annual Index to Poetry in Periodicals, and American Poetry Annual.