The University of North Dakota’s student-run literary magazine, Floodwall, is preparing their thirteenth issue that is to be released at the end of the spring 2026 semester. They are currently accepting submissions up until Feb. 20. The magazine accepts and features a variety of creative writing such as fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, as well as photography and art created and curated by the UND community.
The magazine is supported by faculty from the English department and claims to be “by UND students and for UND students”. A wide variety of students and faculty work together to sort through the submissions each semester to compile the best possible product. The team consists of managing editors, Vern Linstrom and Jasmine Patera being the most recent to take on this task, as well as their recent advisors Dr. Courtney Kersten and Dr. Patrick Henry. Along with this, there are countless other contributors who provide submissions as well as support throughout the process of sorting through those submissions.
Floodwall was originally created in 2012 by a group of students and after taking a few years of hiatus, it came back for Vol. 2. It upholds all the hard work put in by the original contributors, except now it is even bigger, more collaborative, and accepts work from any student, not just ones from the English department. It is a great representation of talent, creativity, and leadership that UND encourages.
There are many ways to get involved with Floodwall even if you don’t want to submit anything. You can show up to their open mic night events as well as their release parties and meetings. Often, these events are a great way to get to know like-minded peers and enjoy refreshments in a positive and creative environment.
Along with this, just staying up to date on what they are doing and supporting their new releases can go a long way. Previous issues of the magazine can be found on their official website. It is here where you can find pieces written by current and former UND students and view visual art created by students as well.
If you are considering submitting your work to the magazine, the deadline is approaching quickly. The submission link can be found on the Floodwall website. It asks you to include your pieces, name, and a brief biography. From here, your work will be anonymously voted on whether it matches the overall theme of this semester’s issue. Then it will be compiled into a digital magazine with unique cover art and presented at the official release where you are encouraged to showcase your submission.
On the final day of accepting submissions, Feb. 20, there will be a submission event held. It is here where writers can come together to get to know each other and encourage one another to submit their pieces.
Each issue of the Floodwall magazine is unique, and its popularity continues to grow. Support for creative projects like this is essential to a diverse and unified campus community. More information about UND student-run literary magazine can be found on their website.
Nora Lee is a Dakota Student Section Editor. She can be reached at [email protected].
