Lovers of literature may recognize the name "The Rumpus." Founded in San Francisco in 2009, it's one of the country's longest-running indie online literary + culture magazines — and it's now based right here in Asheville.

Publisher Alyson Sinclair and Editor in Chief Alysia Sawchyn have relocated to the mountains and plan to introduce themselves to the local literary community Wednesday, Feb. 8 from 7-9 p.m. at Story Parlor (227 Haywood Rd.) with The Rumpus IRL. The event marks the duo's first in-person event in their new hometown and features authors Morgan Thomas and Alysia Sawchyn reading from their debut story and essay collections, respectively.

Curious how these literary luminaries wound up here? Alyson grew up visiting the Asheville as a kid, and shares that she moved here "most recently from Minneapolis to be closer to family and nature." She continues, "It felt time to come back to a part of the South that I love the most." As for Alysia, she says her move "was a moment of perfect synchronicity: A year after Aly arrived, I accepted a job teaching at Warren Wilson College."

What most excites Alyson about our local literary scene is "our independent booksellers, including Malaprop’s (which is helping sell books at the event), Firestorm, and Hub City down in Spartanburg." She's also pumped "about the reading series happening around town like Punch Bucket Lit and spaces like Story Parlor which bring the literary community together."

Interested in working with The Rumpus? "We regularly have open reading periods for all genres," says Alyson. "The best way to submit to us is via Submittable." And according to Alysia, they're in the process of adding to their poetry reading team." Interested parties should email Alysia with "AVL Today" in the subject line for more info.