Founded in 1992, Prairie Moon Feminist Books and Women Friendly Space in Arlington Heights, Illinois, hosted two monthly readings: a poetry reading and an all-genre reading. Both were open to the public. In order to share the work presented there with a wider audience, founding co-editors Mary Ber and Jude Rittenhouse created a publication in 1995. This literary magazine was first called Prairie Moon ReadOut! (the name of the monthly all-genre readings) and soon renamed Moon Journal. The journal continued in publication for thirteen years with much help from the growing community of writers. Moon Journal Press was established in 2000 and published poetry, short story, and creative nonfiction chapbooks before ceasing operation in 2009.