Blog #22: Publication- Bellingham Review

The Bellingham Review - Literature of Palpable Quality

Consists of:
Poems, essays, stories, and photographs that “display both depth of content and nudge the limits of form or execute traditional forms exquisitely.”

This magazine encompasses works that reflect the heart and soul of human nature. Hope and faith are common and widespread themes throughout the publication and any reader can absorb a sense of confidence and inspiration.

Creative non-fiction stories such as:
"On the Whole" tells the story of strength about a woman struggling with cerebral palsy. When one half of her body felt beautiful, the other felt clumsy. Eventually she found hope when she confided in a friend, fell in love, and bore a child realizing and believing that all things are possible. “Unexpectedly, I catch my reflection walking, my gait a bit like a dance.”

"School Shoes" is about a young girl living with a dysfunction that causes her feet to point inward and her difficult encounters that she faces in school among her peers from not being able to properly “fit in.” In her experiences with her caring, protective mother and hypochondriac father, she learns through her own imaginative mind and faith in herself that she can be anybody she truly wants to be. It doesn’t matter how the rest of the world views you, but if you are able to learn from it all and move past it- becoming a stronger and more beautiful individual. “I kept my new dance shoes, of course, and continued to put on my own performances in the privacy of my bedroom. There I was not only a great ballerina but also a circus aerialist.”

"Vision and Fear" describes the past and present fears of a man growing up. While his fears as a child were insignificant, his real fear later on in life involved his expected son’s heart condition. Sometimes to rid our fears in life, we have to overcome life’s biggest challenges, but in the end what we really gain is faith.

Content:
Rather than focusing on a specific form or length, this publication is more open to the true expression of the individual and the words they choose to display and share with their audience. This results in a prized publication that is comprehendible and valued by everyone who can easily relate to or appreciate a truly meaningful and memorable work of art.

History and Introduction:
An annual literary magazine which started publication in 1977 at Western Washington University. Prior to 1997, this magazine produced semi-annual publications, but now publishes every spring. Bellingham’s Review’s current issue is volume XXXII, Issue # 61.

Current subscription rates from the publisher are $12 for one year or $ 20 for two years. If purchased from a newsstand or store, the cost is $10 per issue but does not include updates.

Submissions:
Are received from all over the world from established and emerging writers without restriction to form or subject matter.
Work needs to be within a 9,000 word limit in order to be accepted. Poetry submissions of 3-5 poems are preferred.
Submissions are not accepted through email but can be send to:

Fiction, Nonfiction, or Poetry Editor
Bellingham Review
Mail Stop 9053
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA 98225

September 15th through December 15th are the dates that accept submissions.
Applicants will know the decision of their submittal within one to six months.
Those who have their work published will receive payment depending on the amount of funds available.
Although submitted work to other publications is allowed, they require immediate notification if published elsewhere.