Rivet

So there's a new magazine, except it's not new (existing in some form for 4 years), and it's not a magazine, at least not in the sense I'm used to. It is Rivet, and, smaller in dimensions (something like 6.5 x 8 inches) than your usual mag, the thing it most reminds me of is a poetry anthology, if a poetry anthology could consist of photos, art, articles, essays, recipes, interviews, discursive blurbs, short short fiction, in addition to its poetry. I say poetry anthology because the format often consists of relatively brief individual works employing flashes of imagery (visual and textual), covering a wide range of subjects, perspectives, and voices, and all tied together by a single theme. Rivet does this in both of the issues I've read so far, employing the unifying concepts of "union" and "green" respectively, and in each issue the editor skillfully manages to weave it all together.

The above description might make it sound like Rivet is another one of those uber-artsy and inaccessible art/lit mags, which is not true. It's smart without being pretentious, has a heart but doesn't wax sentimental, and seems predicated on finding both the fun and the relevance in whatever subject is being explored. One word I would not use to describe this mag is "cynical". I found Rivet's simultaneously clear-eyed and hopeful outlook very appealing.

One word of warning to readers: to borrow the SAT analogy form of comparison, Rivet is to more traditional art/lit mags as poems are to fiction. You'll get the sharp, brief flash effect of the poem rather than the extended narrative effect of the short story or novel. It has depth but reads quickly, and if you prefer to settle down with long articles or short stories, this may not be the mag for you.

I think, however, that if you pick it up, you won't want to put it down. Good stuff.

Rivet is a cool little chapbook-like mag that deserves being thrown into your zine reading rotation. Each issue's "theme" is explored through diverse channels of writing and visual styles that showcase the many ways one can approach a topic.

Aside from Rivet's unique conceptual aspect, the greatest part about this mag is its resemblance to a diary or scrapbook. It comes across like something the reader may have put together him/herself stories, pictures, drawings, an unbelievable statistic or bit of trivia; everything that is franticly written down, or else is forgotten. I wouldn't be surprised if someone, wanting to be deemed genius, ripped off the cover and gave it to a friend saying, "Yeah...this is just something I put together over the weekend while flipping through CNN, MTV and The History Channel".

My only complaint is that the layout can be difficult to digest at times; it's attractive and stimulating, but also dizzying and distracting. Does every page have to resemble a hip clothing ad? Those ads look cool, but one is only expected to read the tag line and then move on, not sit in front of it with his/her head at a 45 degree angle for the length of time it takes to read a story, poem, etc. But I will do just that, because the pieces are so good.

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I love this magazine, it's got something for everyone. As a 30+ Mom in the Midwest, I love to read the quirky articles and interesting blurbs of information, especially "Nuts and Bolts", because it's easy to pick up, read, and then put down if you need to run after a toddler. I also like this magazine because, as a Mom, I feel somewhat out of the loop in terms of pop culture . . . Rivet makes me feel like I can still talk about interesting things at a party and not bore people with stories of my offspring. Know what I mean?

Read Best Reviews of Rivet Here

Rivet is a unique journal that combines a dazzling format with fresh commentary on music, arts, politics, and some breezy original fiction & poetry. Anyone interested in cutting edge publishing arts should buy this journal.

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Rivet is really just a fun magazine to read. It has something for everyone and every moodcool snipets and facts about the world, beautiful fiction, accessible political analyses, thoughtful lifestyle pieces. I read it cover to cover as soon as the new issue comes out!