Bluestem

@bluestemmag

Bluestem is a national literary magazine, published continuously since 1966. www.bluestemmagazine.com

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Bluestem@bluestemmag· 28d

We know you're busy. You wish you had four hands and four feet to help you get everything done. We get it. But don't wait too long to submit to Bluestem's opening reading period. Open through 8/15 for fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and comics. bluestemmagazine.com/submit

ID: Illustrated image from Pierre Boaistuau’s Histoires Prodigieuses (1559) of a light-skinned man with four arms and legs walking a path with a castles in the background

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Jul 1

We know you have a ton you're dying to say. Submissions are OPEN & FREE. July 1 through August 15. Fiction, cnf, poetry, comics. bluestemmagazine.com/submit

A wide open mouth illustration with tongue and throat visible.

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Feb 21

Poems by Sean Thomas Dougherty, Daniel Lurie, Fran Qi, Diane Glancy and many others. Fiction from John Milas, Thuận An, TJ Martinson and more.

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Feb 21

We deliberately gravitated toward hopeful gestures in our brand new Winter 2026. We are so excited to share it with you. bluestemmagazine.com

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Jan 23

This weekend, we hunker down. Next weekend, we gather. Central IL, join us for Lions in Winter at EIU. thekeep.eiu.edu/lionsinwinte...

A poster advertising the Lions in Winter literary festival at the Doudna Fine Arts Center at EIU. The poster shows the headshots and bios and book covers for Ruth Awad and Aram Mrjoian and the daily events on January 31, 2026. Find out more at link.

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Jan 9

Being in community to celebrate art is one of the best ways we know to combat fear and sadness. Come join us at the end of January in central Illinois when we host Alice Bolin, Ruth Awad, and Aram Mrjoian. More info here: thekeep.eiu.edu/lionsinwinte...

A poster advertising Lions in Winter literary festival 2026 on January 31 at Eastern Illinois University at the Doudna Fine Arts Center. The poster has headshots of the featured writers and their book covers below their photos.

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Jan 1

Wouldn't it feel good to start your new year off by sending out work? Think of us! Free subs from January 1 through February 15 in Poetry, Fiction, CNF, and Comics.

ID: A shimmery silver flyer that proclaims "We're open!" in black font at the top and 2026 at the bottom.

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Oct 20

If you're in central Illinois on Wednesday evening, come over to EIU's Booth Library where we will be featuring the prolific Ben Tanzer and EIU students Athena Ballard and Pamela Zimmerman!

A poster advertising the Nancy Hennings Reading Series in Booth Library's West Reading Room at 5 p.m. on October 22. The poster has a green and blue watercolor background and overlapping circles with the bios and photos of the three readers.

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Oct 1

Congratulations to our Best of the Net nominees! Thank you to our nominees, and to all our contributors, for their minds and words.

Green poster with pink text naming our nominees. It reads:
Aaron Burch “The Zoo”
Dustin Hoffman “Ecdysis”
Cassandra Whitaker “Even Ann Lister Is In My Blood Marrying Ann Walker”
Prosper Ifeyani “Conscription”
Sara Quinn Rivara “Two Foxes”
Michael Copperman “Nightlight”
Sharon Davis “Pammie”

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Sep 8

We don't know about you, but one of the things that reliably still brings us joy these days is a damn good reading. We are so excited to bring Jennifer Martiza McCauley to EIU this week! If you're around, we'll give you cookies and coffees and little sandwiches and, best of all, lovely words.

This poster advertises "Coffee and Conversation with Jennifer Maritza McCauley" on Wednesday 9/10 from 2-3:30 p.m. in Coleman Hall 1150 on the campus of Eastern Illinois University.

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Jul 23

Our summer 2025 issue is here! Work by E.P. Tuazon, Mark Brazaitis, Joey Damiano, Chelsea Utecht, Erin Slaughter, Katherine Gaffney, Anna Zgambo, Jennifer A Sutherland, Carolyn Oliver, Nico Santana, Eddy Alvarez, Mary Senter, and Danielle Shorr. Art by Suzanne Zimmerman. bluestemmagazine.com

An acrylic painting by Suzanne Zimmerman. Dark and lighter blues comprise most of the canvas. Vertical scratches are etched into the paint. On the far right is a white tree with a wooden swing.

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Feb 25

Send your creative work to the moon and submit to BLUESTEM 🚀 Deadline is March 1st! Submittable Link: bluestem.submittable.com/submit

Three old-timey rocketships sailing into a blanket of stars. The text reads "Submit to Bluestem" and "Now accepting fiction, CNF, poetry, comics"

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Feb 22

Exciting news: our Spring reading series will be on Zoom, so anyone who is a fan of Allison Blevins (and who isn't?) and Travis Mossotti (ditto!), can come along! Join us March 6 at 5:00 CST! eiu.zoom.us/j/86504931543

A blue and white poster with white text and author headshots to the right side. The text reads EIU's English Department presents the Spring Hennings Reading featuring Allison Blevins & Travis Mossotti. Acclaimed poets Allison Blevins & Travis Mossotti will read from their work, along with student reader Erin O’Connor. Q&A will follow the readings. Email crabel@eiu.edu or click below for link." The event is from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Jan 29

An important Lions in Winter update. In recognition of the day of care and reflection Declared by President Gatrell and in honor of Cov Dennis, Wednesday’s Lions in Winter events will be cancelled. Thursday’s events will proceed as scheduled.

A cream-colored graphic with terracotta-colored text reading Lions in Winter Festival at the top, and UPDATE underneath. The rest of the text is in the caption.

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Jan 24

Five more days until @mindahoney.bsky.social and @finejuli.bsky.social and Jacqui Germain visit us here in Central Illinois? Chicago / St. Louis / Indianapolis friends, come on over! thekeep.eiu.edu/lionsinwinte...

Poster for Lions in Winter. The event will take place in the Dvorak Concert Hall at the Doudna Fine Arts Center. The blue poster has blue lettering, the authors headshots and book cover images, and their bios. You can go to the link in the post for the same information.

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Jan 20

BLUESTEM submissions are OPEN ✨ Submit your CNF, fiction, poetry, or comics and join the extraordinary artists to find a home at BLUESTEM. Deadline: March 1st Submit here: bluestem.submittable.com/submit

The image shows a watercolor painting of an ornamental object with plants flowing out of the top, in front of a cream background. Written in the style of an inscription on the object are the words: "BLUESTEM Magazine" And beneath that is a date range from January 15th until March 1st. Beneath the object are the words "Submission Period Open."

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Jan 4

Our winter 2025 issue is here! Writing by @tcboudreau.bsky.social @emmabolden.bsky.social @maryfontanawrites.bsky.social @robertarjoyan.bsky.social @lumchanmfa.bsky.social @casswhit.bsky.social and many more Art by Erin Anfinson. bluestemmagazine.com

A close up of wild bergamot, with sprawling tendrils of brown and pinkish-purple. The colors are made more vibrant by the deep black background.

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Dec 21

Lions in Winter is 40 days away! Like Jesus, you could go fast in the desert—or perhaps you'd rather spend your time reading Minda Honey's memoir THE HEARTBREAK YEARS in preparation for her visit? Find out more Lions details here: thekeep.eiu.edu/lionsinwinte...

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Nov 25

Lions in Winter spotlight! Our featured fiction writer is Julia Fine the author of MADDALENA AND THE DARK and two other novels. Julia will give a craft talk and a reading on Jan. 29 and Jan. 30. @finejuli.bsky.social

A graphic with a background of snowflakes against a pinkish background. The text relays the schedule for January 30's Lions in Winter event. At 4 p.m. in Doudna Concert Hall there will be a craft talk with Julia Fine. At 5:30 there will be a reading and reception with all three featured writers.

A schedule for January 29, 2025 in Doudna Concert Hall. At noon, there will be a roundtable with Monda Honey, Julia Fine and Jacqui Germain. At 4 p.m. Minday Honey will give a craft talk, followed by Jacqui Germain at 5 p.m.

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Nov 11

Think there's nothing to look forward to in 2025? Not so. Midwest friends, come see us at EIU where we'll cohost Julia Fine, Minda Honey, and Jacqui Germain at EIU.

A sparkly graphic with either snow or twinkling lights in the background that reads "Lions in Winter January 29 & 30, 2025 Doudna Concert Hall." Below the text are the three headshots of our featured writers. In the bottom right corner, text reads, "Craft talks, readings, open mic and more!"

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Sep 10

St. Louis / Iowa / central IL / Indy friends, poet Brenda Cárdenas is coming this week! Reading & reception to kick off a stacked year of events here at EIU.

A slide featuring orange autumn leaves. In the center is a circle and text inside it reads: "The EIU English Department & Neff Reading Series presents Brenda Cardenas. Wednesday, September 11, Doudna Lecture Hall, Reading 4:00-5:30 p.m. Reception to follow."

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Aug 4

We've had a massive response so far, but you still have a few more days! Submit to us before August 15 for inclusion in our Fall 2024 issue.

ID: A graphic with a cream colored background reading "Bluestem subs close soon. We know you have some poems, stories, essays, or comics...." There is a starburst in the center that reads "until 8/15." Small staggered text at the bottom reads "no fee" and "we are your biggest fan." A line drawing of an old-fashioned faceless man holding a camera up to his face is at the graphic's left side.

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Jul 1

Bluestem is open to submissions! From July 1 to August 15, fee-free, send us your poems, stories, essays, or comics. Let's HEAR IT

Chapell Roan in a black leotard holds a mic out to an unseen audience.

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Jun 14

Three wildly different comics in this issue from Claire Rosemary, Casey Jo Stohrer and Angus Woodward. We'll be open again on 1 July—comics artists, hit us up!

Rainbow colored panels that read "TIME WAS NEVER A THOUGHT IN MY MIND." A name sticker in the first panel reads "Hello! I'm a Hot Mess."

A panel showing a black line drawing of Maya Angelou gesturing in front of a wall of text.

A black-and-white drawing of a brick house behind a fence. The top reads "Whoever heard of the great wide open being fenced in?"

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Jun 6

A jam-packed extra-large issue for Spring / Summer 2024 drops today! Tons of flash fiction, three arresting essays, more poems than you can shake a stick at, three comics, and a feature on book artist Melissa Wagner-Lawler. bluestemmagazine.com

An image from Melissa Wagner Lawler's book featuring a map-like image on a three-dimensional pyramid structure.

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Mar 27

Happy Birthday Frank O'Hara

The Critic

I cannot possibly think of you
other than you are: the assassin

of my orchards. You lurk there
in the shadows, meting out

conversation like Eve's first
confusion between penises and

snakes. Oh be droll, be jolly
and be temperate! Do not

frighten me more than you
have to! I must live forever.

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Feb 16

Our run of great events continues this March with John Milas (MILITIA HOUSE) and Sarah McCartt-Jackson (STONELIGHT). March 7 at 5:30 in Booth Library.

A green and teal poster with a background of concentric circles and watercolor strokes. The info on the Nancy Hennings Memorial Reading Series is at the top and indicates the reading will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the Booth Library Faculty Reading Room at EIU, with food served. Below that are black-and-white headshots of Milas and McCartt-Jackson with their bios beneath.

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Jan 5

Less than three weeks until we host Cynthia Pelayo, Taymour Soomro, and Emily Maloney at EIU!

A poster with light blue text reading "Lions in Winter" Doudna Fine Arts Center with relevant information listed. More information is available at https://thekeep.eiu.edu/lionsinwinter/lions2024/

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Nov 13

Our new double issue has dropped! We hope we have made space for both grief and radiance, and that we all feel compelled to continue making and sharing art as resistance against the dehumanizing impulses of violence. bluestemmagazine.com

The table of contents of the Summer / Fall 2023 issue.

Bluestem@bluestemmag· Nov 3

We have two big announcements this month; here's the first one. We're so thrilled to co-host the annual Lions in Winter festival at Eastern Illinois University, featuring Taymour Soomro, Emily Maloney, and Cynthia Pelayo!