A Statement of Purpose(s), or, Something to that Effect

- It is a bit redundant, perhaps, to refer to a journal named Olio as a “miscellany” given the meaning of the title in the first place. The word “olio” can be defined as “a mixture of heterogeneous elements”, while specifically referring to musical selections or dishes of various types. There remains, though, in these definitions a consistency of material: music with music, food with food, etc. This journal, however, will not consist solely of one type of review or one area of culture. The title is thus a reminder of the expansive and comprehensive nature of the materials contained between the covers.

- There will be a (nominally) specific focus to each miscellany (visual, political, culinary, etc.), though this does not mean that each piece must be directly addressing the topic. Indeed, we want contributors to hit at the focus/topic from every imaginable angle, as well as from a few unimaginable perspectives. The emphasis is not on the success of the piece in approaching the stated topic, but on the strength of the work itself.

- Ostensibly, this is a journal of reviews. However, reviewing need not follow any particular model or standard. We’d rather an interesting haiku discussing a novel than a 3,000 word essay that feels like more of the same. It is possible that the problem with reviewing these days is that every review feels like every other review. Let’s break the mould.

- At the end of the day, this is an attempt of sorts to alter certain spheres of book culture. If successful, we may be able to open a few eyes to the possibilities inherent in the act of reviewing and, perhaps, refresh a broader cultural concern for the value of the review and its ability to serve as a guidepost. And by approaching things in this manner, we really are trying to remind everyone involved that the review is not the end all be all, but rather a starting point, and not even the most important point of departure, for that takes place when the reader commits to a book, to seeing the experience through. And if we can even do that, then this little enterprise will have achieved about as much as can be hoped for.