Emily Nemens appointed editor of The Paris Review

The Paris Review has appointed a new editor, Emily Nemens, following the resignation of Lorin Stein last year amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

Nemens, 34, is a writer and illustrator, who since 2013 co-edited The Southern Review, based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Prior to this she worked in editorial capacities at the Center for Architecture and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Welcoming her as the seventh editor in The Paris Review's 65-year history, the not-for-profit's publisher, Susannah Hunnewell, said Nemens would follow "a meritocratic editorial agenda", citing her discovery while at The Southern Review of two O. Henry Prize-winners in a pile of unsolicited submissions. 

"Emily prides herself on working closely with writers, grooming and mentoring them in an open and collaborative process with her staff," said Hunnewell.

Nemens said: "I am honoured to be given this opportunity and I look forward to working with such a talented group of colleagues. I think I have an ability to understand and appreciate a publication’s history and prioritise incremental, thoughtful growth. This means striking a balance between stewardship and innovation."

Her appointment follows an internal investigation into the last editor-in-chief's conduct with female employees and writers. Stein resigned in December 2017 with an apology for "any hurt" caused by his behaviour, admitting there were times he "blurred the personal and the professional".

Terry McDonell, the president of The Paris Review Foundation, added: "We are grateful for the continued exceptional contributions made by our staff, and especially thankful for the dedicated leadership of Nicole Rudick, The Paris Review’s managing editor, who took on additional responsibilities as interim editor over the past six months."

The Paris Review says it has a growing circulation of 22,000.