Unbound Brooklyn, a journal resulting from the careful thinking and planning of the first cohort in St. Francis College’s Low-Residency MFA Program in Writing, has published its first issue on all things unbound. Since the cohort’s intention was to invite writing not seen in other online journals, a mission statement, available on the journal’s website, establishes open ground for new and underrepresented writers working in a range of genres.

“Nearly all the published work in the journal reflects the circumstances of the pandemic,” said Vanessa Baish, editor of Unbound Brooklyn. “Some was written during the pandemic; some addresses it directly, and the international presence reflects this particular time and type of global participation in world culture.”

The work in the journal includes poetry, an essay, music, and fiction. As the journal continues to evolve, there will be ongoing opportunities for MFA students to participate. “Future issues should definitely include previous students’ writings,” Baish said. “and interested MFA candidates are invited to make any and all suggestions about Unbound Brooklyn’s ongoing process.

Additionally, there is a new publishing course at the undergraduate level, taught by Prof. Caroline Hagood, that uses the journal publication process and online format as a site for students to research online publishing and publications, and to propose their ideas to the journal. This exchange gives undergraduate students the opportunity for real publishing experience and gives the journal access to new ideas from developing writers and editors.