Blue Heron Review

Blue Heron Review (BHR) is an American online poetry magazine founded in 2013 by Cristina M. R. Norcross. Based in Wisconsin, it specializes in mystical and spiritual verse, providing a space for poets who offer a positive message about living fully and engaging with the world through beauty, community, and acceptance. The journal publishes poetry and visual artwork, with issues released periodically. It is a not-for-profit, online-only literary journal; contributors are not paid, and staff members receive no income from their work on the publication. After a brief hiatus, BHR resumed publishing bonus issues on an issue-by-issue basis. The magazine has nominated contributors for the Best of the Net Anthology, and its founding editor, Cristina M. R. Norcross, is an accomplished poet with multiple Pushcart Prize nominations. BHR maintains an active presence through its website and Facebook page, and accepts submissions via email.

Blue Heron Review was founded in 2013 by Cristina M. R. Norcross as an online poetry magazine specializing in mystical and spiritual verse. Norcross, who lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two sons, is also the co-founder of Random Acts of Poetry and Art Day, celebrated annually on February 20 since 2012. She is the author of ten poetry collections, a multiple Pushcart Prize nominee, and an Eric Hoffer Book Award nominee. Her most recent book is The Poetry Apothecary (Kelsay Books, 2024). The journal was established to provide a space for poets who offer a positive message about living fully and engaging with the world through beauty, a sense of community, and acceptance. It strives to promote works that nourish the soul, encourage deep reflection, and support a peaceful life path. The poets published in BHR embrace concepts such as joy, abundance, grace, love, light, connection, awareness, acceptance, balance, peace, one's soul path, and spirit. Blue Heron Review was briefly on hiatus but resumed publishing bonus issues on an issue-by-issue basis. As of 2025, the journal has published at least 21 issues, with Issue 20 (Fall 2025) and Issue 21 (Spring 2026) being the most recent. The magazine has nominated contributors for the Best of the Net Anthology, including six authors from the two most recent issues. The founding editor, Cristina M. R. Norcross, continues to curate the journal and remains actively involved in its operations.

• 2026

  BHR Issue 21 / Spring 2026 published.

• 2025

  BHR Issue 20 / Fall 2025 published; six contributors nominated for Best of the Net Anthology.

• 2013

  Blue Heron Review founded by Cristina M. R. Norcross.

A not-for-profit online literary journal dedicated to mystical and spiritual poetry that nourishes the soul and encourages deep reflection.

• BHR Issue 20 / Fall 2025

  An issue of poetry and artwork featuring contributors such as Alison Hurwitz, Sarah Sadie, and Cynthia McCain.

• BHR Issue 21 / Spring 2026 / 'Wholeness'

  An issue themed 'Wholeness' featuring poets such as David Anson Lee, Emily Tee, Ellen Rowland, Jill McGrath, Barbara Krasner, and Jenna Wysong Filbrun.

1. 1Blue Heron Review | “An awake heart is like a sky that pours light.” ― Hafizblueheronreview.com
2. 2About Blue Heron | Blue Heron Reviewblueheronreview.com
3. 3About the Editor | Blue Heron Reviewblueheronreview.com
4. 4Blue Heron Reviewwikidata.org