Part of the Spittoon Arts Collective archive. The Spittoon Literary Magazine, 2016–2021.
In 2016, Spittoon launched a literary magazine. What began as a showcase for Beijing’s international writing community became, by its fourth issue, something more focused and more ambitious: the dedicated publication of contemporary Chinese literature in English translation. Seven issues. Named among Asia’s best literary magazines by TimeOut Shanghai, alongside Asymptote and Pathlight.
Issue by Issue
Issue 1 — 2016
Launched at Ballhouse Bar between Beijing’s Drum and Bell towers. Featured both English-language writing and Chinese works in translation — the first physical document of what Spittoon was producing.
Issue 2
Launched at 798 Art District. Became a fixture of Beijing’s expat literary community and widened the magazine’s readership beyond the events themselves.
Issue 3
An experimental issue exploring different forms of writing and art — pushing the magazine’s form as well as its content.
Issue 4 — The Pivot
From Issue 4 onwards, the Spittoon Literary Magazine refocused exclusively on contemporary Chinese literature translated into English. A deliberate strategic decision — narrowing the scope to deepen the purpose.
Issue 5 — 2019
Professional art direction and printing. The translation process refined and iterated. The magazine had found its identity.
Issue 6 — December 2019
Launched at the MEGACITY Beijing event in December 2019 — the most ambitious event series Spittoon had ever staged. The magazine launch was part of a three-day programme spanning installations, slams, and performances across the city.
Issue 7 — April 2021
Launched at Aotu Space. Featured contemporary author Wen Zhen. Seven issues spanning five years — a complete document of Chinese literary voices in English translation.
Recognition
TimeOut Shanghai named the Spittoon Literary Magazine among Asia’s best literary publications — placing it alongside Asymptote and Pathlight, two of the most respected journals of literature in translation in the world.
Beyond the Magazine
The Honford Star Anthology
In 2024–25, Spittoon partnered with British independent publisher Honford Star to release Ten Thousand Miles of Clouds and Moons — an anthology featuring sixteen Chinese writers making their English-language debuts. A direct continuation of the magazine’s mission, now in book form.
CUE — Chinese Urban Expression
Born from Spittoon, CUE was a bilingual comic book series commissioning young Chinese artists to create original graphic narratives exploring urban Chinese life. The first issue featured contributions ranging from noir hallucinations to dimension-shifting delivery drivers. Managing Editor: Michael Marshall. Art Editor: Brendan McCumstie.
Read the Magazine Archive
Articles, launch write-ups, and retrospectives documenting the Spittoon Literary Magazine — republished from the original WeChat archive.
matthew-byrne.com 