Patrick Range McDonald, the award-winning journalist and housing justice activist, has founded a literary magazine at Medium called Letters From Over Here. It aims to publish a unique, alternative perspective on a wide array of subjects — from social issues to history to sports to the arts.
“Letters From Over Here is a place for me to do all kinds of writing,” McDonald explains. “It’s a serious creative project, and I’m putting my heart and soul into it. I’m very excited.”
He adds, “I’ve always loved New Journalism, and what the new journalists did was constantly take chances with their writing. That’s what I’ll be doing. But there will be a larger purpose to everything I write or do at Letters From Over Here. It’s going to have something to say.”
The magazine will reflect McDonald’s eclectic interests.
“I’m very curious and love to delve into all kinds of issues and topics,” McDonald says. “Letters From Over Here allows me to utilize my curiosity and write about sports or history or anything else that captures my interest. And I’ve written for alternative weeklies for most of my career, so I will bring that kind of alternative sensibility to Letters.”
He adds, “These days, that alternative sensibility along taking chances with the writing and not conforming to the mainstream and thinking outside the box is a kind of outlaw journalism. I also have a unique background as an investigative reporter and activist that makes me a kind of outlaw journalist. From what I’ve read in newspapers, magazines, and news sites, I see the world a lot differently than many journalists, especially understanding how power truly works.”
McDonald and Letters From Over Here can be followed on Medium.
“From my years of work as a journalist and activist, and from traveling all over the United States and the world and talking with scores of people, I have a lot of hard-earned wisdom and ideas to share. I’m truly excited.”