The Quarterly was an avant-garde literary magazine founded and edited by Gordon Lish in 1987. It was published by Vintage Books / Random House in New York City. The Quarterly showcased the work of contemporary authors. The magazine contained fiction, poetry and commentary. It ceased publication in 1995. Volume 1 of The Quarterly was published in Spring 1987. "The Magazine of New American Writing" featured works by: Amy Hempel, Tom Spanbauer, , Jane Smiley, Jack Gilbert, Harold Brodkey, and others. The Quarterly ended with the final publication of volume 31 in the Fall of 1995.