A Matter of Choice

  I haven’t seen Manuel in a few months now. I’m glad. I thought he’d gone the first time he left, but no more than a month later he was back. This time I think he’s gone for good. I… Continue Reading

4 Ways a Writer Avoids Writing and the Benefits

1. Make yourself something to eat. Not a sandwich or platter of assorted chips, nuts and various sweets hiding in the pantry, but an honest to goodness meal—a crockpot meal, some Procrastination Stew. Head to the grocery store, peruse the… Continue Reading

Writer’s Guide to Self-Care

For the last few months, I have been dealing with depression. It feels like someone is randomly shooting arrows at me. I dodge as many of them as I can, but some have lodged themselves in my flesh. It hurts… Continue Reading

Official List of Our 2016 Summer Contest Winners!

We are proud to announce the winners of our 2016 Summer Contest! Poetry, judged by Ocean Vuong 1st Place: “McDonalds” by Anders Carlson-Wee 2nd Place: “Threnody” by Elisabeth Murawski 3rd Place: “Epilogue: Lend Me Your Teeth” by Alabama Stone Non-Fiction,… Continue Reading

5 Things to Consider Before You Hit Submit: Thinking about your literary magazine submission from the perspective of a slush pile reader

If you are actively refining your work for submission into the literary world, praying each time you log-in to Submittable that this will be the time, then think about these things from the perspective of a lit mag submission reader… Continue Reading

Blue Mesa Review to Begin Paying Contributors

To continue Blue Mesa Review’s commitment to supporting the literary community, the magazine will start paying contributors beginning with the Spring 2017 issue. Previously, the magazine’s contributor payments were limited to the annual summer contest winners. Regular contributors should expect… Continue Reading