In Spring 2025, the BARN’s Writers’ Studio will publish its first-ever Annual Collection, creating a fresh opportunity for emerging voices in the Pacific Northwest literary scene.

The submission process is refreshingly inclusive. Any current BARN member and anyone who has taken a paid BARN Writers’ Studio class between September 2023 and Dec. 31, 2024, is eligible to submit their work.

Writers can submit:
– Short stories
– Memoirs
– Novel excerpts
– Poetry

The submission fee is $10 and are due by Dec. 31, 2024. Upon registration, writers will receive detailed submission guidelines, including word count requirements. Read the guidelines and register here.

The initiative springs from the vision of Kassia Sing, a longtime BARN member whose own writing journey exemplifies the organization’s nurturing impact. In 2020, she had three short stories published in BARN’s digital creative journal Context. After placing third in the 2023 Pacific Northwest Writers’ Association Short Story contest, Sing felt inspired to give back to the community that supported her growth.

Though Context has since been discontinued, its spirit lives on in this new venture. Sing has assembled a dynamic team of BARN members from the Writers’ Studio Steering Committee to bring the Annual Collection to life:

– Emily Smiley, a 2024 Horror contest nominee
– Molly Tallon, whose dystopian novel has caught the attention of literary agents
– Kathleen O’Brien, an accomplished non-fiction author now exploring poetry at BARN

Selection Process

The review process consists of two rounds:
1. Initial evaluation by peer readers on the Collection Committee
2. Final review by distinguished local publishing professionals

Why Submit?

The annual collection is more than just a publication opportunity—it’s a chance to experience the full submission and publishing process in a supportive environment. As an added bonus, all finalists will receive a complimentary copy of the published collection.

For newer members, this initiative showcases the studio’s commitment to nurturing writers and providing a creative space for developing your literary voice.