The Rumpus, one of the longest-running independent literary and culture magazines, will transition to new ownership under Roxane Gay and Debbie Millman, effective May 1, 2025, announced current Publisher Alyson Sinclair.
“I couldn’t be more excited for The Rumpus to enter its next phase under Roxane Gay and Debbie Millman’s leadership,” said Sinclair. “They are writers and thought leaders I’ve admired for a long time. Together, they are committed to staying true to the magazine’s core mission of publishing both emerging and established risk-taking writers and artists whose work might not receive care or a large audience elsewhere.”
Sinclair continued, “I approached the opportunity to run The Rumpus as literary service work. In 2022, I took on the role of publisher and owner of The Rumpus from my wonderful predecessor Marisa Siegel. Over the last three years, we’ve made progress in stabilizing and improving the magazine, including redesigning the website, launching a membership program, and increasing contributor pay. The Rumpus is ready for its next phase, and this change is an opportunity for meaningful growth and an increasingly sustainable and secure future under Roxane and Debbie’s leadership. It’s been a privilege to serve as a bridge for these two amazing people who will honor the magazine’s past and give it the best possible future.”
Roxane Gay, a founding essays editor of The Rumpus and an integral part in establishing its reputation for powerful new voices, returns to the magazine with a deep personal connection. “It’s a truly full-circle moment to be acquiring The Rumpus alongside Debbie Millman,” Gay shared. “The Rumpus was one of the first places where my writing found a significant audience, and it helped shape me into the writer I am today. I am excited to lead The Rumpus into its next chapter and am grateful for the stewardship of Alyson Sinclair, who did so much in recent years to help The Rumpus continue to thrive.”
Debbie Millman, an acclaimed designer, writer, and educator, plans to bring renewed attention to the way visual artists are represented in the magazine. She expressed her enthusiasm for joining forces with Gay to shape the magazine’s future. “I first became aware of Roxane Gay’s writing through The Rumpus and fell in love with her words,” said Millman. “Now that I am married to her, it feels both serendipitous and thrilling to have this extraordinary opportunity, and I look forward to the magical things we will be able to make together.”
The transition is a celebratory moment for The Rumpus, during a time when many independent magazines, large and small, have folded or been absorbed into larger publishers. Gay and Millman will bring their incredible energy and expertise to further build the magazine’s influence and offer The Rumpus a vibrant future.
About The Rumpus: Founded in 2009, The Rumpus is one of the longest-running independent online magazines dedicated to literature, arts, and culture. The Rumpus champions risk-taking and historically underrepresented writers and is known for spotlighting many acclaimed writers early in their careers. The magazine currently publishes original work across genres five days a week, year-round.
Roxane Gay is the bestselling author of Bad Feminist, Difficult Women, Hunger and several other books. She is also an editor of the Grove Atlantic imprint Roxane Gay Books and a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times. For more information, visit www.roxanegay.com.
Debbie Millman is a renowned designer writer, educator, artist, and the longtime host of the podcast Design Matters. Her latest book is Love Letter to a Garden, out on April 15, 2025. For more information, visit www.debbiemillman.com.
Additional note of thanks . . .
Since the above announcement is more formal than what we’re used to sharing here at The Rumpus, I also wanted to include a brief personal note of gratitude. Throughout its history, The Rumpus has been a primarily volunteer-run magazine, and I’m forever grateful to the many editors, readers, and staff who make this work possible. A special thank you to all our editors and columnists; our managing editor and acting editor-in-chief, Stephanie Trott; our engagement editor, Caitlin Rae Taylor; our Letters in the Mail coordinator, Monica Masiello; our former editor-in-chief, Aram Mrjoian; and our volunteer board members for helping The Rumpus weather an actual catastrophic storm. In Asheville, NC, we’ll be recovering from Hurricane Helene for many years to come. Your calm guidance and support helped me remain hopeful enough to find a path forward for The Rumpus. It’s absolutely a relay and not a sprint, and I’m confident Roxane Gay and Debbie Millman will bring their expertise and a renewed energy to the magazine. I’m also grateful to my predecessors Marisa Siegel and Isaac Fitzgerald, who know how wild it is to run a scrappy, beloved magazine. The Rumpus continues to benefit from Isaac and Marisa’s goodwill-building, editorial skills, and many hours of volunteer labor. I hope to leave a similar impression on the magazine’s history, and I look forward to supporting Roxane and Debbie during this transition and advocating for spaces like The Rumpus always.
Thank you to our staff, volunteers, contributors, and readers. Remember to support what you love, y’all! If you value a healthy, diverse literary community, keep reading, sharing, and showing up for the things you want to exist in the world. —Alyson Sinclair, Publisher, The Rumpus
