The South Carolina Review [SCR] is a literary journal published twice annually by Clemson University. The publication appeals to literary scholars and general readers by publishing fiction, poetry, book reviews, interviews with prominent literary figures, unpublished letters and manuscripts, essays and special issues.

The state of South Carolina had a long tradition of excellent antebellum literature and literary magazines. The Southern Quarterly Review, The Southern Review, The Southern Literary Journal, and Magnolia brought national attention to its literary scene, but these publications did not survive the aftermath of the Civil War. The SCR sought to reinvigorate the state’s long dormant tradition by providing writers, both established and unknown, an arena in which to display their talents. Expanding on this, the SCR also sought to have a broader national appeal while continuing its dual role as literary magazine and scholarly periodical by soliciting more contributions from writers outside the region.

The publication was originally established at Furman University in 1968; its first editor being Professor Alfred S. Reid. After a short time, it became apparent that the production of the publication could not be maintained at Furman because the institution lacked the human and financial means to sustain it.

In 1973 Reid announced that the Review would move its operations to Clemson University. The first publication produced by Clemson University made its debut in November 1973. Once at Clemson, the SCR was co-sponsored by the department of English and the College of Liberal Arts, and was edited by Dr. Richard J. Calhoun and Dr. Robert W. Hill with Professor William Koon as managing editor. Though the publication was a general literary review, South Carolinians, native and adopted, were especially encouraged to contribute in an attempt to identify and articulate the literary interests of the state. There was general acknowledgment that such an endeavor would be of great benefit to graduate students in English at the university, helping to cement a good reputation for the English Department and supplying evidence to students that Clemson was participating in the national literary scene. Early on, the editors of SCR made note that large publications would often not accept the works of unknown authors. SCR took the opposite approach in an attempt to provide exposure and opportunities for a more innovative and fresh style of writing.

As a result, previously unknown writers have enjoyed national recognition after being published in SCR. The SCR also began attracting recognition outside the region in no small part because of their ability to unearth previously unpublished works by some of the more notable individuals in American literature such as Flannery O’Conner, Joyce Carol Oates, and Eudora Welty.

The SCR has won praise by publishing special issues devoted entirely to commentary on the work of a single author. Two such issues, devoted to Robert Frost and James Dickey respectively, proved so successful that they became sought after collector’s items.

In 1979 the editors of New York Quarterly placed the SCR on “a selective list of 20 of what we consider to be the most outstanding college, university, literary, and ‘little’ magazines in this country.” For over forty years the SCR has promoted literary excellence by providing a means for fiction writers and poets to launch successful careers, critics and scholars to share insight into their discoveries, and for reviewers assessing the achievements of creative writers and outspoken scholars.