Grant helps journal with national reach

Creative minds from around the country send in work to College of Lake County (CLC) every year to be published in Willow Review, a non-profit journal published once a year. The College received a $1,400 grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency (IACA) to assist in the production and printing of the magazine.

Unlike Prairie Voices, a student-only publication, Willow Review is a collection of work by talented writers from around the country that started in 1983. Published copies are sent out to and shared with writing groups across the nation, continuously extending its reach.

Willow Review produces physical and digital copies once a year in April. No restriction exists on who can submit their work; it’s open to the public—one of the few publications to accept hard-copy submissions.

“We’re looking for excellence with submissions,” said the publication’s Editor and CLC English Instructor Michael Latza. “It can come from anyone, from students to professionals. This gives Willow Review a great diversity of voices, one of the reasons people across the country like to read it.”

CLC has a strong creative writing community outside of published works. Every year, the Skyway Conference holds a creative writing competition where CLC students often bring home a number of awards.

Submissions are accepted year-round, with new editions publishing each April. To submit, mail a hard copy to Willow Review, College of Lake County, 19351 West Washington Street, Grayslake, IL 60030.