Department of English
Eric Lorberer '86
"What are you going to do with that English major?"
If you're Eric Lorberer '86, the answer is earn an M.F.A. in creative writing from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, move to Minneapolis, and become the guiding force behind the Rain Taxi review of books.
Rain Taxi was born in 1995, the brainchild of two of Lorberer's friends. The journal publishes reviews of fiction, nonfiction and poetry, "works that push the boundaries of language, narrative and genre." Currently on its 49th issue, the magazine offers a free online version as a supplement to the quarterly print issues.
Rain Taxi, a nonprofit organization, has had such success and longevity in part because of its ties to the lively Minneapolis literary community. Rain Taxi publishes chapbooks of established but innovative writers and sponsors readings and events in the Twin Cities to give quirky, pioneering writers more exposure.
Lorberer's interest in high-quality but under-the-radar writing dates back to his years at Washington College, where he and a group of other students tried to start a new literary magazine. In a 2005 Q&A with the Washington College Magazine, Lorberer said he wanted to get back to a "culture that so greatly valued words"—an important part of his life as both an undergrad and graduate student which he found lacking outside of academia.
With the help of the Internet, computer design technology, contributions from its board of directors and a unique vision, Lorberer and art director Kelly Everding have made Rain Taxi—an off-beat publication for literary folks—into an award-winning magazine with a circulation nearing 20,000.
So, what are you going to do with your English major?
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