Ten new short stories by Illinois and Midwestern writers are featured in the 2018 edition of Downstate Story, Peoria’s only literary magazine for fiction. Downstate Story is now published exclusively online at www.downstatestory.com.

Writers in this issue are David Seaman, Peoria; Susan Duke, East Peoria; Connie Cook Smith, Canton; Jim Courter, Macomb; Loren Logsdon, Eureka; Marie Anderson, Western Springs; Kent McDaniel, Carbondale; Paul Bowman, New Albany, Ind.; Jim Hasse, Walnut Creek, Calif.; and Harry Lowther, Eureka, Calif.

Most of these outstanding writers have long lists of publications in other literary magazines, and some have authored books.

Published by Downstate Story, Inc., an Illinois not-for-profit corporation, the annual publication aims to present original fiction by Illinois writers and writers with ties to Illinois and the Midwest as a quality alternative to today’s mass-market publishing. Founder and publisher is Elaine Hopkins.

For this web edition, readers are asked for donations to help defray costs. All writers are paid for their work.