Things are heating up—and not just the weather! Can you feel it? That electric buzz of anticipation in the air? Crash Solo’s bold cover art captures it perfectly: the intensity of our current moment is almost cinematic. But even as national drama unfolds, plenty is happening locally to lift our spirits and keep us moving.
Though summer technically begins in June, the Pacific Northwest is only just starting to sizzle. Downtown Sounds kicks off July 9 and runs through August 6, promising unforgettable nights of live music. Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema is already rolling—movies start at dusk, and by August, that means around 11:00 p.m., so a good afternoon disco nap might not be a bad idea. The 50 protests. 50 states. 1 movement. (50501) organization is hosting another national protest for July. It is called “July 4th: Free America.” Check out the local event calendars for more. It’s a vibrant, active season here in our corner of the world—and Corridor is excited to be part of the energy.
Special thank you to the seven distributors for volunteering your time and energy to help distribute Corridor. Your support makes it possible for this little poetry zine to reach hands, hearts, and curious minds each month. Corridor wouldn’t travel nearly as far without you.
Here are the BIOs of this month’s contributors. Many have websites for further exploration of their projects.
Please check them out!
POETS
Victor Ortiz, a Bellingham poet and Pushcart Prize nominee, writes free-style
English-language haiku, preserving elements from Japanese haiku aesthetic and
technique.
Harry Needham is an Englishman living in Bellingham with his amazing wife. He
has been in the U.S for 8 years. More stuff about barely remembered things at
http://www.poetryconcrete.org
Mary Elizabeth Gillilan says, “The characters I write bear my DNA — and
poetry — in my dissolving bones. I live in the Pacific Northwest with my little
tailwagger, Betty Bananas.” https://maryegillilan.wordpress.com/
Linda Conroy, a Bellingham poet and author of two poetry collections, likes to write about the complexities of human nature and our connection to the natural world
world.
Elizabeth Jane Pryce is a poet, “Wild Child”, (2010). Author of an early
childhood memoir, “Chosen”, (2022). She currently writes a blog:
bluebottleswritingstudio.com
J.I. Kleinberg lives in Bellingham, Washington, where she tears words out of magazines and stares at them until they turn into poems. Find out more at https://chocolateisaverb.wordpress.com or on Instagram @jikleinberg.
Captain Snowdon is a poet, sex educator, and death doula living in so-called Canada on the territories of the Esquimalt and Songhees peoples. They can be found at
captainsnowdon.ca
Candice James is a visual artist, poet, musician, and songwriter. She is a League of
Canadian Poets and Royal City Literary Arts Society member, and the author of 21 books.
Harvey Schwartz hitchhiked west in 1971 for a summer vacation and never returned. His life since has been sprinkled with magic that he tries to put in words.
Naomi Stenberg says, “Even after publishing dozens of poems, I’m amazed at how much more there is to learn. I think I’ve just begun…”
Shannon Laws is the publisher of Corridor. Her fifth poetry book, “Tongue in Ink,” is
available NOW at Village Books in June 2025. shannonplawswriter.com
ARTISTS
Nancy Canyon’s books: “Saltwater” (poetry), “Celia’s Heaven” (novel), and “Struck: A
Season on a Fire Lookout” (memoir). Nancy teaches writing and painting in her historic Fairhaven art studio. http://www.nancycanyon.com
Jessica Pfundt is a local photographer who enjoys capturing PNW landscapes and the people within them. Her poetry is inspired by our human connection to our
environments.
Jeffrey Hanson and his wife, Marilyn, left Ohio in 2019, where he taught for Hocking
College and Ohio University. He’s retired now and lives in Sudden Valley.
Michelle Ballou is a poet and artist living in Bellingham, Washington. She likes to
play with ink, paper, and words. The American Robin is her spark bird.
Kathleen A. McKeever has published two books of poetry, available at Village Books or Bellingham, Washington Public Library, “Lightbound” and “Body/Today.”
C.J. Prince, poet – anthologies – sand – chapbooks — tai chi — language borders – fox den of dictionaries — distinguished – new book — after the full moon artist — Salish Sea
Cover by: Crash Solo is a librarian who writes poetry, plays, and fiction, and also creates and shares collages. He sometimes runs long distances. He lives with his family in Bellingham.
shannon p. laws 