A familiar scene greets Midwesterners on the forthcoming issue of Barstow & Grand, though the written work within promises more new young voices than ever before. The farm captured on the cover, created by area artist Joe Maurer, is a reflection of what lies within: pieces that speak of and to the literary journal’s regional roots.

Issue No. 8 of Barstow & Grand features 31 authors – including more UW-Eau Claire students than ever before – and reflects settings and situations many locals will recognize, founder Eric Rasmussen said. Think kayaking the river, driving Highway 29, and mole infestations – you know, regular Midwestern things – and more.

Founded in 2016, Barstow & Grand has showcased a great variety of prose from local and regional writers over the years, increasingly so thanks to its 2020 expansion to welcome submissions from across the Upper Midwest.

The locally-crafted literary journal is hosting a release party for the new issue at The Brewing Projekt on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 7pm. Swing by the shindig, sip on a beer, and buy a copy.

“As always, we strive to be a true community creative writing journal,” Rasmussen said. “As long as the Chippewa Valley likes the idea of hosting a literary publication, we’ll keep putting in the work to bring focus to local writers.”

The Barstow & Grand Issue 8 release party is on Nov. 20 at 7pm at The Brewing Projekt • Learn more about Barstow & Grand at barstowandgrand.com • Keep up with the journal on Facebook • Reach out with inquiries at barstowandgrand@gmail.com