• by Sara Guaglione , May 20, 2020

Quarterly Asian literary magazine Mekong Review has launched a digital subscription to bring its latest issue, as well as its archive, to readers. The effects of COVID-19 disrupts its usual printing and distribution schedule.

The English-language magazine on Southeast Asian literature, arts, culture and society is offering subscriptions for individuals and institutions, in collaboration with Exact Editions, a platform for publishers to turn printed material into a digitally accessible format for readers. 

Mekong Review’s archive is now fully searchable.

Founder Minh Bui Jones told Publishers Daily that due to the global pandemic, “the logistics and costs of printing, distributing and mailing have shot up.”

“Making the digital subscription available at this time is a practical solution. We see it as a bridging solution over these troubled times,” he said. 

Managing director of Exact Editions Daryl Rayner noted that going digital can help the magazine “attract new subscribers from all over the world.”

Mekong Review, an independent publication founded in 2015, is based in Australia, but publishes work from writers around Asia and beyond.

“We are a print magazine and we believe in print, so we hope to be back in print as soon as possible,” Bui Jones said.

An annual subscription costs $49.99, with web, iOS and Android access via Exact Editions apps.