Win McCormack

Win McCormack is an American editor, publisher, author, and political activist with a career that has spanned more than four decades. His work has covered literature, journalism, and public affairs, earning recognition through his leadership of Tin House and The New Republic. Throughout the years, he has remained committed to long-form journalism, independent editorial practices, and the development of influential publishing organizations.

Born as Winthrop Laflin McCormack, he was raised in a family connected to public service, law, and finance. His father worked in military intelligence during World War II before later serving in a senior State Department position. His mother's family was associated with the founding of a major financial institution in Chicago. He attended Phillips Academy and later graduated from Harvard College with a degree in government. During his studies, he spent time in Indonesia as an American Field Service exchange student. After completing college, he worked in education and social services before pursuing an MFA in creative writing at the University of Oregon.

McCormack's publishing career began while he was a graduate student. Following involvement in a congressional campaign, he invested in Oregon Times magazine and later transformed it into Oregon Magazine. As editor from 1976 to 1988, he helped establish the publication's reputation for investigative reporting and in-depth journalism. He also served as co-owner and treasurer of MediAmerica, Inc., which published several regional magazines. During this period, he contributed to the founding of Mother Jones magazine and worked with a variety of specialized publications.

In the late 1990s, Win launched Tin House, a literary magazine known for publishing both emerging and established writers. The organization expanded further with the creation of Tin House Books in 2005. Its influence continued to grow through the Tin House Summer Workshop, introduced in 2003 to provide writers with opportunities for study and collaboration. Although the magazine ended its quarterly print edition in 2019, the broader Tin House platform continues to operate through books, workshops, and related programs.

In 2016, McCormack acquired The New Republic and became editor-in-chief, helping guide the publication while reinforcing its focus on political and cultural analysis. He also oversaw an extensive investigation into the Rajneesh movement in Oregon, which later became the basis for The Rajneesh Chronicles. His written works also include You Don't Know Me: A Citizen's Guide to Republican Family Values.