Berkeley Fiction Review

Founded in 1981 by students at the University of California, Berkeley, the Berkeley Fiction Review is one of the oldest continuously published literary magazines on the West Coast. Operating under the aegis of the Associated Students of the University of California, it has maintained a distinct editorial identity: a commitment to narrative craft, emotional resonance, and the short story as a vital form. While many university-affiliated journals have shifted toward experimental or hybrid poetics, BFR has remained a stalwart home for traditional and contemporary fiction that prioritizes voice, character, and the well-made scene. Its longevity is a testament to a clear, if unflashy, mission—to publish emerging writers alongside more established voices without regard for trend or theoretical fashion. The journal is produced by a rotating cast of UC Berkeley undergraduates, who select pieces through a collaborative, consensus-driven process. This student-led model gives BFR a particular energy: earnest, curious, and open to a wide range of styles, from realist domestic dramas to speculative fables. Each issue typically features a dozen or so stories, often interspersed with interviews or craft essays. The magazine has no formal affiliation with any literary movement, and its editors have historically resisted aligning with any single aesthetic. Instead, the review functions as a training ground for editors and a first or early publication credit for many writers who go on to significant careers.