In this edition of Inside the Den, we’re featuring Liana Johnson, a dedicated member of our fiction team who recently marked her second year reading submissions for Black Fox. Whether she’s diving into full-length stories or bite-sized flash fiction, Liana brings a sharp editorial eye and a deep appreciation for character, craft, and voice. Her thoughtful feedback and consistent presence behind the scenes help shape the fiction we publish and champion.
Black Fox Literary Magazine: Hi, Liana, how did you become a reader for Black Fox?
Liana Johnson: I was familiar with the journal already, and I’d been thinking about how I wanted to read for a literary magazine when I got one of the newsletters with an open call for readers. It was perfect timing!
BFLM: What kinds of stories or themes are you most drawn to?
LJ: I’m drawn to stories with a unique, compelling voice. Some characters are so vivid you’ll follow them anywhere, no matter the subject matter. I also love stories that feel curious—ones that surprise me or take an unexpected turn.
BFLM: What’s your biggest pet peeve when it comes to reading a submission?
LJ: Lack of clarity! As a reader, I want to feel grounded in the details of the story right away. If I’m lost in the first few paragraphs, it’s hard to stay engaged.
BFLM: What makes a submission stand out (in a good way)?
LJ: Pacing matters so much to me. I love stories with a natural rhythm—ones that carry me from point A to point B seamlessly. Rhythm is the kind of thing you might not notice unless it’s missing, but when it’s there, it makes all the difference.
BFLM: What’s something you’ve learned from reading submissions that surprised you?
LJ: Learning what my own pet peeves are has been really helpful for my own writing. Now I’ll often read through one of my drafts as if I were a reader seeing it for the first time. Would I be confused? Am I drawn in quickly? That mindset shift has helped me catch issues I might have otherwise missed.
BFLM: What’s a story you love and think about often?
LJ: “Unknown” by Bennett Sims—eerie in the best possible way.
BFLM: If your personality were a literary genre, what would it be—and why?
LJ: I’d probably be a mystery. I’m introspective and observant, and I enjoy a good puzzle. I’m also curious and (I like to think) pretty good at reading people.
BFLM: Many thanks, Liana, for sharing your insights—and for the time and care you bring to each submission. We’re lucky to have your perspective on the Black Fox team.
Stay tuned for more staff spotlights in upcoming editions of Inside the Den—because every page begins with a reader.
Liana Johnson is a fiction writer whose work has appeared in publications including Cleaver Magazine, Tiny Molecules, and MoonPark Review. She holds an MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and has been a participant in the One Story Summer Writers’ Conference and a fellow at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. She is at work on a short story collection. Originally from a small town in Vermont, Liana now lives and writes in New York City.
