Calling all poets and artists along the I-5 Corridor! The zine “Corridor” needs you. The submission deadline is the 15th of each month. See below for details, FAQs, and other mind-blowing information. Send submissions to Shannon dot Chickadee at gmail dot com.
WHAT IS THE VISION?
We have a simple vision. A 12-page, 5×7, staple-bound, free zine sitting there, waiting to be discovered. It is casual, it is no drama, it is free, and it says, “I love you, you got this.” You have coffee together, and it follows you home. You become best friends. Then, a month later, another zine, a new zine, appears… How will you break the news to last month’s friend that you found a new friend? “Hey, it’s OK,” Corridor the zine says, “We can all be friends. Love us all.” See. It’s easy. No drama. Just a little monthly collection of 10 poems to help us during these tough times. Easy.
HISTORY
Way back in the zine’s first year, 2022-23, the volumes offered work from about 27 poets, 5 artists, and +400 copies of the 10-page zines were printed and distributed over 13 months, to various libraries, bookstores, and cafes in Whatcom County. Fast forward to 2025, the contributors have doubled, and 100 copies a month are distributed. Jump on this bandwagon and join us! Submit a poem or artwork today!
Here >>> shannon dot chickadee at gmail dot com.
I hope that it would feel like a treasure found. I trust by the power of serendipity & love an image, a line, or a word would inspire the treasure seeker.
-Shannon Laws, Corridor publisher
PRESS
2023 “The Front” article
2024 “The Poetry Department” post
2025 “The Poetry Department” post
See the eye-catching covers of the little zine that could.
Covers designed by Shannon Laws, Kathleen A. McKeever, and Crash Solo.
Kathleen A McKeever, VOL 34, “A Dove Guides The Earth Toward The Bridge Of Reconciliation” 
Lizzy Burnam, VOL 33, November 2025, “Where Is Your Mind” 
Crash Solo, VOL 32, October 2025, “Quickly/Wandering/Against All Evil/Out Of Sight Up The Road” 
Kathleen A Mckeever, VOL 31, September 2025 – “Lemur Follows Sloth Tracks Along The Corridor Of The Salish Sea, Arriving At Waters Edge In Time To Enjoy Summer’s Transition To Autumn” 
Shannon Laws, VOL 30, August 2025 – “A Desert Mirage of Road Cyclists Appear As Lady Liberty Attempts to Rent A Camel” 
Crash Solo, VOL 29, July 2025 – “He began to move forward” 
Kathleen A McKeever, VOL 28, June 2025 – “Mnemosyne, mother of Muses, opens her creative channels and lets flow a fountain of inspiration over the Corridors of Cascadia” 
Crash Solo, VOL 27, May 2025 – “Just Blooming” 
Kathleen A McKeever, VOL 26, April 2025 – “Take a trip north along the I-5 corridor, set aside time to walk in the Skagit Valley tulip fields“ 
Shannon Laws, VOL 25, March 2025 – “Roadside Distractions Appear Along a Foggy Corridor” 
Kathleen A McKeever, VOL 24, February 2025 – “A Corridor of Creativity flows from the planet and drops down into the tools of the willing” 
Shannon Laws, VOL 23, January 2025 – “Finding Logic Doorways On The Snowy Highway Of Cognitive Dissonance” 
Kathleen A McKeever, VOL 22, December 2024 – “Reindeer travel a familiar corridor in the snow covered forest” Deer, trees and Holiday hat by artist Jan Brett. 
Kathleen A McKeever, VOL 21, November 2024 – “The Corridors of Creativity Cross the Multiverse” 
Shannon Laws, VOL 20, October 2024 – “Jump to Conclusions” 
Shannon Laws, VOL 19, September 2024 – “High Road or Low Road” 
Shannon Laws, VOL 18, August 2024 – “Shaping My Thoughts” 
Kathleen A McKeever, VOL 17, July 2024 
Shannon Laws, VOL 16, June 2024 
Shannon Laws, VOL 15, May 2024 – “Nydia, the Blind Flower Girl from Pompeii Listens To The Cries Of The People” 
Kathleen A McKeever, VOL 14, April 2024 – “Play Powered By The Sun” 
Shannon Laws, VOL 13, April 2023 
Shannon Laws, VOL 12, March 2023 
Shannon Laws, VOL 11, February 2023 
Shannon Laws, VOL 10, Janaury 2023 – The Corridor Collective pays homage to the estimated 585 people killed in the Mahsa Amini protests in Iran that started in September ‘22 and continues today. We stand with those that stand up for free speech and personal freedoms. 
Shannon Laws, VOL 9, December 2022 – It is the hope of this publisher that PEACE in the Americas will rest on the forefront of our minds as we journey into 2023 
Shannon Laws, VOL 8, November 2022 – VOTE 
Kathleen A McKeever, VOL 7, October 2022 – “The Eternal Flame of Creativity” 
Kathleen A McKeever, VOL 6, September 2022 
Kathleen A McKeever, VOL 5, August 2022 – “COVID CONFUSION” (includes art by Laura Edelbacher) 
Shannon Laws, VOL 4, July 2022 – “Mind Blown That A Procedure Returns To The Back Alleys And Hidden Places” 
Shannon Laws, VOL 3, June 2022 
Shannon Laws, VOL 2, May 2022 
Shannon Laws, VOL 1 April 2022
FAQs
What is a zine? Zines are non-commercial, self-published booklets that are typically reproduced using a copy machine. They provide a safe space for the contributors to freely express themselves and share their art, words, and thoughts with a chosen (and often niche) audience. It does not have an ISBN or a LOC number.
What is Corridor? A limited edition monthly poetry zine called “Corridor”. It gets its name from the I-5 corridor that mimics how thoughts travel through the highways of the mind.
What type of poems does the Corridor Collective seek? Poems that provoke deep thought, offer encouragement, entertain, and/or share a story. Content must be friendly to all ages and lifestyles. Poems and art must be original and created by the submitter. Length, one page (standard page with a 12 point font). If you have original, print-ready art in any medium that would work in a 5×7 format, you are welcome to submit it. Submission does not guarantee publication.
What is in Corridor? Each edition will include 10 thought-provoking poems and print-ready art. The poems and art are original work owned by the submitter.
How will people get this zine? The zine will be distributed to various independent shops, cafes, bookstores, and Little Free Libraries around Whatcom County by the Corridor Collective. Regular copies will be placed on the community shelf at the breezeway between Village Books and the Colophon Cafe in Fairhaven because we love VB. The Corridor Collective are folks who support the zine with their time, money, advice, vision, and spirit.
These zines are Easter Eggs. These are hidden treasures. These will be cherished works of art beloved by many, owned by few.
-the Corridor Collective
Is Corridor Guerrilla Art? Yes and no. Our distributors definitely seek unique places to leave a zine, such as airports, ferries, buses, restaurants, cafes, etc. At times, we are a bit political. Also, submission guidelines require work to be friendly to all lifestyles and ages. However, in most cases, we ask permission from the staff if we can. You could say we are friendly in our placement.
Guerrilla art, also known as street art, is a form of art that is displayed in public spaces without authorization from the owner or authorities. It often involves placing artwork in unexpected places, like walls, streets, or public transportation, to express an artist’s views or challenge the status quo.
What should I do when I find it? If you find one, it means that you are in a unique and treasured establishment in Whatcom County. Please consider supporting the local cafe or store with copies of “Corridor”. Even a purchase of $5 is helpful. You can keep the copy, leave it, or share it; it’s up to you.
Where do I send my submission? Please send it to shannon dot chickadee at gmail dot com as a PDF, WORD, JPEG, or you can copy/paste it into the email. She will ask questions if any arise, but we want these zines to be quick, accurate, & easy.
Please tell us how you would like to be acknowledged and how the poem should be referenced and/or book cited, if applicable. You will need to submit a 25-30-word bio. Promoting your website is encouraged.
Is there a deadline for submissions? No, not really. Deadlines are so stressful, and this zine does not subscribe to stress. Submissions not selected for one month may appear in the next month. However, if you can get your poem or piece of art to us by the 15th of the month, you have a good chance of appearing in the next month’s edition.
What if my poem is selected? Poets/Artists selected will be notified and receive a complimentary PDF of the zine. Also, contributing poets/artists will automatically be added to the mailing list for reminders and PDF editions, unless they request otherwise. Please send original poems and/or art anytime to shannon dot chickadee at gmail dot com. Submission does not guarantee publication.
Can I send a short bio and promote my website with a submission? Yes, you can. Due to limited space, please keep bios to 25-30 words.
What if the poem I want to submit is old and/or was published somewhere else? Many things get better with age. If you own the work, then please submit it. Also, remember to tell us how you would like it cited.
How rich will I get? No money is involved. There is no money.
How easy is this? Very
Below is the October 2024 edition, for example. Each zine is unique, however.
We look forward to reading your submission.
shannon p. laws 