Rita Bullwinkel leads a lean team at the magazine, with herself as the only full-time staff, and the publication prioritizes stories based on emotional resonance rather than commercial interests.

Bullwinkel advocates for reading for pleasure and believes that literary fiction can foster a shared consciousness, contrasting this view with the idea that art should serve as medicine or moral duty.

The magazine's upcoming issue 80 promises to be highly elaborate, featuring seven distinct literary art objects in a binder format, with future issues including works by prominent writers and visual artists.

This issue's design is notably innovative, developed in collaboration with art director Sunra Thompson to challenge traditional book aesthetics, making each quarterly a unique artistic experience.

Bullwinkel encourages readers to subscribe or renew to engage with the magazine's cutting-edge literature and art, aiming to foster a shared cultural consciousness.

McSweeney’s publishes more stories per issue than most literary journals, often exceeding ten, and features a diverse range of international authors, including translations from eight languages.