In 1885, Kloos and Verwey launched the magazine De Nieuwe Gids (The New Guide) with a few friends. It became the mouthpiece of the Movement of the Eighties. Verwey did not only play an important role as editor and editorial secretary, but also as critic and essayist. However, in 1889, there was a breach and Verwey stepped down as editor.

Five years later he started Tweemaandelijksch Tijdschrift voor Letteren, Kunst, Wetenschap en Politiek (Two monthly magazine for Literature, Art, Science and Politics) with Lodewijk van Deyssel, that was renamed De XXe Eeuw (The XXth Century) in 1902. The titles reflect Verwey's broad cultural interest. Being dissatisfied with the direction being taken by De XXe Eeuw, Verwey founded his own new magazine: De Beweging (The Movement). It offered space to writers from after the Movement of the Eighties and to subjects not strictly related to literature.

Around the turn of the century, Verwey coordinated the decoration of the new commodity exchange in Amsterdam which later became known as the Beurs van Berlage. To achieve this Verwey worked with famous artists like J.Th. Toorop and R.N. Roland Holst. Poems by Verwey can still be found in the Beurs van Berlage. Also the sayings on the clock tower - ‘Duur uw uur', ‘Beidt uw tijd' (Time is precious, Bide your Time) - are his.

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