We often hear that San Antonio is a “city on the rise.” In truth, as the seventh-largest city in the nation, and one already reflecting the demographic shift the rest of the country will experience in the coming years, San Antonio is already a world-class city. The diversity of its community puts it on par with the first six metropolitan areas by population. Beyond its diversity, San Antonio is home to world-renowned cultural and educational institutions.

Nonetheless, it’s important we not miss the importance of the letters and art that influence the city and emanate from it. The arts — letters not least among them — are integral to any city.

The San Antonio Review aims to provide readers with a critical, trusted resource for cultural criticism, reviews of cultural events, poetry, fiction and other items as we see fit for sharing with the wider public.

Indeed, it is our intention that the words and art published in these pages reach an audience far beyond the borders of San Antonio—beyond even Texas. We are San Antonio’s international literary journal.