Aidan Sanfelippo
It is every writer's goal to be published and to see their work appreciated by their peers, on Nov. 17th the authors of the new Barstow and Grand Issue 5 get to achieve that goal.
For the past five years, Barstow and Grand has worked to showcase the best writers in the region. Every year in the spring, writers who are connected to the Upper Midwest submit their original works which have the chance to be published in the journal the following fall.
Barstow and Grand Issue 5 will be available on Nov. 17th at a release party which, according to their Facebook page, will feature live readings, beer, and, of course, the issue itself. The event will also feature special musical guest Soren Staff of Them Coulee Boys.
Issue #5, according to a Volume One article titled “Fantastic Fifth: Literary Journal ‘Barstow & Grand’ Set to Release Latest Issue” by Rebecca Mennecke, will have the most undergraduate authors in an issue so far and will feature a wide array of genres.
In an interview with Barstow and Grand editor Eric Rasmussen, he mentioned two student authors who stood out to him. Ruth Thompson, who wrote a fantasy piece titled “Love and Magic”, and Bryson Wilkins, who wrote a horror piece titled “Mr. Sun”. Rasmussen described both as great stories that surprised him while reading.
Another student author featured in the new issue is Elise Eystad, whose poem “So We Ordered Another Beer and Said, Life is Long” will be available to readers on November 17.
“I feel such a strong connection to Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley,” Eystad remarked, “and I’m so thankful that we have a local publication that supports local creators.
Due to covid-19, Barstow and Grand was unable to have an in-person event, and instead created the issue #4 Gallery, which featured videos, photos and recorded readings from many of the contributors. Click here to view it today.
“We’ll definitely do [the gallery] again,” Rasmussen said. “And I’m hoping, you know with one in the bag, maybe this issue’s authors can find some inspiration and we’ll be able to make that a part of the Barstow and Grand process.”
The start of submissions for issue #6 is March 1, 2022. Anyone associated with the Upper Midwest is encouraged to submit original poetry and/or prose for potential publication in the next issue.
When asked what things to keep in mind when submitting, Rasmussen said, “There are some customs and processes that the literary world appreciates, so a little bit of homework there is probably a good idea. And we have some resources on our website”.
““You’re never going to get published if you don’t put effort into the process, and that process begins by having the confidence to simply put yourself out there.””
“You’re never going to get published if you don’t put effort into the process, and that process begins by having the confidence to simply put yourself out there,” said Eystad.
So put yourself out there, submit an original work of your own, but also give other writers the support you want to see for your work by going to the release party and buying a copy of Barstow and Grand Issue 5.
The Barstow & Grand Issue 5 Release Party will be held at the Lazy Monk Brewing Company at 7 pm on Nov. 17th.