Barstow & Grand is an annual print journal, published in the fall, that highlights writers connected to western Wisconsin's Chippewa Valley and the Upper Midwest, USA.

In 2016, the Chippewa Valley Writers Guild began its mission to support regional writers through craft talks, writing residencies, readings, and other high-impact community initiatives. Within a year, guild members suggested that a regional publication seemed a natural expansion of these activities, and thus, Barstow & Grand was born. In 2020, Barstow & Grand expanded its scope further by welcoming submissions from all Upper Midwest writers, not just those from the Chippewa Valley.

Barstow & Grand strives to fulfill a humble mission: to provide both editorial and publication opportunities for writers in our region and beyond. In doing so, we seek to grow and professionalize our entire writing community. Preparing and sending out one's work is a significant step in the evolution of every writer, and Barstow & Grand is excited to serve as an outlet.

Additionally, this publication also serves the greater writing community by directing all profits from issue sales and submission fees back into the Chippewa Valley Writers Guild.  Every time you submit, you not only give yourself a chance to publish, you also give other local writers the chance to learn by way of free, high-impact educational opportunities such as craft talks.

Barstow & Grand Press

Review of Barstow & Grand issue #1 on New Pages

Interview with editor Eric Rasmussen on The Review Review

"Sandwiches" (short fiction from issue #1) in Volume One

"Literary Journal Highlights Works From Chippewa Valley Writers" from WPR's Central Time

"Barstow & Grand" in Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, & Letters

"New EC Literary Journal Taking Root" in Leader Telegram

"New Local Literary Journal Highlights Valley Writing Community" in Volume One

"Grassroots Literary Journal Joins Eau Claire's Thriving Literary Scene" in Volume One

The Name Barstow & Grand

The Chippewa Valley is the part of Western Wisconsin that lies in the watershed of the Chippewa River, and it contains numerous cities and towns, including Chippewa Falls, Menomonie, and Altoona. Eau Claire is the largest, and the intersection of Barstow Street and Grand Avenue  lies in the middle of downtown Eau Claire. This particular intersection also represents an interesting occurrence that is taking place throughout the valley–an artistic rejuvenation, a balancing of history and progress to bring new energy to the area and its residents. Barstow and Grand used to house Woolworth's and numerous other important businesses, including Eau Claire’s first children’s museum. Now it's home to the arcade/restaurant Reboot Social and the newly renovated Lismore Hotel.

This intersection, then, works as a metaphor for what we hope to accomplish with this journal. The heart of the community. Progress rooted in history and tradition. Artistic energy and rejuvenation.

Plus, it sounds cool. We think.