~From English Department Communications Intern Ashley Afirevic

While we pride ourselves on being part of a global community, Fort Collins is also wonderfully self-contained in a way. We have an abundance of art and culture right in our own city, including our own little bundle of literary journals. Whether you’re an undergrad looking to make your foray into publishing, a grad student looking to put that first reputable journal on your cover letter, or a local looking to share, Fort Collins has a literary journal that fits your needs. Check out our four picks:

1. Greyrock Review: CSU’s Undergraduate Literary Journal has a team of talented student interns* ready to read and edit pieces of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and art. After accepting admissions October through December, they publish an annual volume during the Spring semester with pieces from undergrads across the university. CSU students have the opportunity to promote their literary talents and interns become familiar with the publishing processes. Their release party usually involves fun readings at one of Fort Collins’ local food or beer joints, so you can enjoy yourself while picking up your newly published work!

*Okay – maybe I’m a tad biased as a former Nonfiction editor.

Website: http://greyrockreview.colostate.edu/

Submit: https://greyrockreview.submittable.com/submit

 

2. Journal of Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Excellence: Another undergraduate-run publication, this journal publishes creative writing side-by-side with scholarly essays of all disciplines. A true testament to the “scholarly power of undergraduate students,” journalism, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and prose sit pretty right next to science-y articles. Though it’s published through CSU’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Artistry, JUR accepts pieces from undergraduate institutions all across the world. If you think it would be hard for editors to work with such a breadth of subjects, have no fear; the team works with faculty, specialists, professionals, and legal council to ensure all of the work is up to standards, and accepts works in English as well as Spanish.

Website: http://jur.colostate.edu/

Submit: http://jurtest.colostate.edu/submit/

 

3. Matter Journal: Right out of Wolverine Farm Publishing inside Old Town’s Bean Cycle, Matter publishes themed journals, accepting submissions that take interesting and inspiring perspectives on the publication’s chosen topic. Some of them revolve around FoCo’s favorites: “art, agriculture, bicycles, wilderness, environmental concerns.” Combining journalism, literature, and art, Matter accepts interviews, essays, fiction, and poetry for a cohesive literary experience. They publish one issue annually, and submissions just closed for the next issue: Nomad. Submitting to Matter is a great way to share your artistic talents with the Fort Collins community and support a local publishing house.

Website: http://www.wolverinefarm.org/publications/matter-journal/

Submit: http://www.wolverinefarm.org/publications/submissions/

P.S. Wolverine Farm Publishing is officially unveiling and celebrating their new Letterpress & Publick House on Friday, November 20th from 8-11 pm. Join them as they:

• Sip libations that can only be found in Fort Collins.
• Gander letterpress art, prints, and ephemera.
• Ponder a speech of triumph, woe, and most importantly, glorious beginnings!
• Listen to the beautiful words of Fort Collins Poet Laureate Aby Kaupang, and then the fabulous sounds of Souvenir Thread.
• Last but not least, dance dance dance!

Tickets go on sale Saturday, November 14th at 5pm at the Letterpress & Publick House, 316 Willow St, FoCo.  Tickets are $15, include one free drink, and are good indefinitely. For more information please call the Publick House during normal business hours at 970-682-2590.

 

4. Colorado Review:  The pride and joy of the CSU English Department, the Colorado Review is a world renowned literary journal that has published the likes of E. E. Cummings, William Carlos Williams, and Langston Hughes in its fifty-nine year history. Found in universities, libraries, and independent bookstores all across the country, the journal provides a wonderful sampling of current poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and book reviews. Open to burgeoning writers whose stuff is ready for the big leagues and established writers adding to their repertoires of credible journals, the Colorado Review provides a window to the modern literary community and a sensibility of what’s happening in contemporary publishing.

 

Website: http://coloradoreview.colostate.edu/colorado-review/

Submit: http://coloradoreview.colostate.edu/colorado-review/submit/

 

Go, submit! What are you waiting for?