The Brussels Review

06/12/2024

"He scratches through nests of hair, rummages for a source of his irritation. He pulls free a charcoal tuft of mane, holds it to his eyes like King Kong and what-you-call-her."

A surreal tale of entrapment, "Hair Line" follows Chris Mars as an inexplicable affliction unravels his life, leaving a web of absurdity and introspection in its wake.

06/12/2024

What does it take to rise from obscurity to fame? Emily Pensulo’s Celebrity is a sharp, unflinching tale of ambition, illusion, and the cost of digital fame.

A Zambian graduate’s struggle with unemployment leads him to the dazzling, destructive world of social media fame in Emily Pensulo’s striking modern parable.

06/12/2024

"The foot swivelled slightly on its toes to face him. Its simple beauty made him believe that the curator was wrong: a foot was not nothing."
Linden Hibbert

In TORSOS, Linden Hibbert crafts a surreal dystopia where dismembered torsos, legs, and feet haunt a forensic inspector tasked with unraveling their secrets—until one escapes.

23/11/2024

How do memory, nature, and loss shape our inner landscapes? This evocative collection of poems by blends imagery with profound emotion.

How do memory, nature, and loss shape our inner landscapes? This evocative collection of poems blends imagery with profound emotion.

23/11/2024

What does it mean to reject spirituality while finding beauty in the everyday? Zackary Sholem Berger’s poetry invites us to reflect on the complexities of identity, faith, and human connection. In “Not Enough,” he critiques traditional spirituality with biting irony, while “Street-Crossing Sonnet” captures the fleeting beauty of a quiet morning and a bond with a child. Thoughtful, sharp, and deeply moving, these poems linger long after the last line.
Cover art by Dastid Miluka

Zackary Sholem Berger’s poems delve into identity, spirituality, and the profound in the everyday. From existential rejection in “Not Enough” to tender reflections in “Street-Crossing Sonnet,” his work challenges and engages.

23/11/2024

"He saw images he could not capture
till he grew so tired, and just stopped thinking
there was a quiet in the departure
his mind an overdeveloped picture"
Cover art by Dastid Miluka

He saw images he could not capture / till he grew so tired, and just stopped thinking / there was a quiet in the departure / his mind an overdeveloped picture

22/11/2024

Science Fiction Short Story Contest!

Are you a budding writer with a vision of the future, or a reimagining of the past that dares to push the boundaries of speculative fiction and human imagination? If so, this is your moment.

The Brussels Review is thrilled to host its Science Fiction Short Story Contest, running from November 1 to December 31 2024. We’re on the lookout for 100 fresh sci-fi stories that challenge conventional ideas and explore uncharted worlds. One story deemed the absolute best will receive a cash prize of 100 Euros and the other top contenders will be published in our upcoming TBR Dark Anthology.

To enter the contest, click on the submit button on our website's submissions page (URL in the image) and scroll to the bottom of our submission manager to find a link to our TBR Collections submission page.

Submission Guidelines:

Genres: Sci-fi short stories only. While speculative elements like dystopia, horror, historical fiction, or fantasy are welcome, the core of each story should remain firmly within the realm of science fiction.
Word Count: Maximum of 3,500 words. Flash fiction (stories under 1,000 words) must demonstrate exceptional creativity and skill to be considered.
Submission Cap: We will review only the first 100 submissions, so make sure to send yours early!
Originality: We’re seeking extraordinary original stories that stand out.
Standard Requirements: All contest submissions must adhere to our standard submission guidelines, available on our website.
Whether you're envisioning a futuristic metropolis or a haunting alternate history, we can't wait to read your story. Join us in exploring the realms of speculative fiction and the possibilities of tomorrow!

20/11/2024

Discover the haunting journey of Elvis, an immigrant caught between love and desperation. From Glasgow Without Love is a raw and unforgettable narrative of survival, betrayal, and self-discovery in a land that refuses to welcome him. Dive into this poignant story of sacrifice and the pursuit of belonging.
Cover art by Dastid Miluka

A gripping tale of love, betrayal, and survival in the harsh realities of immigrant life. From Glasgow Without Love explores identity, sacrifice, and the pursuit of hope in a world that offers none.

16/11/2024

Take a journey through the decades with ’s poignant collection of . From the innocence of to reflections on , these works touch on the universal experience of and .

Ken Been’s evocative poetry captures the bittersweet passage of time, blending childhood nostalgia, memory, and loss with reflective, grounded imagery.

10/11/2024

What does mean to you? This suite of explores the art of honoring figures like and through vivid language and powerful imagery. Dive into themes of , , and woven into contemplative, layered verses.
Artwork by Dastid Miluka

A suite of evocative poems paying homage to cultural figures through rich imagery and contemplative language. These poems explore the intersection of nature, memory, and ritual with intricate, textured verse.

03/11/2024

In Stories of the Jewellery Box, the weight of inheritance moves from mother to daughter, passing down hidden burdens and unspoken love. This poetic narrative explores how one simple heirloom can carry generations of stories, pain, and hope. Dive into this haunting journey through memory and legacy.

Discover Stories of the Jewellery Box, a metaphoric haunting journey through generations as women inherit love, loss, and legacy through a single cherished heirloom.

02/11/2024

A Chance Encounter with the Past

Hungover, tired, and bored with the routine of life, he was just looking for a change when he stumbled upon an antique jacket that would shake up his world. Inside, a forgotten love letter from 1918. 💌 With each worn stitch, he felt the presence of Charles, a mysterious man with a century-old story, woven into the fabric. As he walked away from that antique shop, he knew life wouldn't be the same.

Could an old jacket be the key to rediscovering yourself?



Cover art: Heart Holders, by Dastid Miluka

As I read this epistle of yearning and want, a sudden wave of empathetic melancholy washed over me. The jacket I now wore, a relic of the Great War, had held this letter for over a century—a silent witness to lives long gone.

27/10/2024

This poetry collection by Lori Shridhare reveals love and connection as sacred acts that transform and transcend. It invites readers to feel every sensation, every memory, in vivid detail. “Praise be to timelessness in these moments, and the radiance you set afire.”

A lyrical exploration of love, memory, and the sacred connection between body and soul, unveils the timeless beauty and joy of intimacy and presence.

27/10/2024

🔥 “Cubeb pepper, with the scent of spiced pine, strange to a child—a comet-tailed boulder…”
Dive into the sensory world of summer, exploring everything from “the cumin-turmeric sky” to the pulse of a vibrant city. Escape into vivid imagery and rhythmic lines in this new poetry feature.

A rich, sensory journey through landscapes both urban and natural, J.D. Stewart's poetry paints ephemeral beauty in familiar scenes, inviting readers to see the world anew.

26/10/2024

🖋️ Uncover "Howling into the Static," a poetry collection that confronts life, loss, and the search for meaning amid today’s chaos. These poems blend philosophical musings with a sharp critique of culture and digital identity. Perfect for readers seeking depth in every verse.

"Howling into the Static" dives into the dissonance of modern identity, existential musings, and cultural critique, weaving fragmented reflections that echo mortality and meaning.

26/10/2024

Step into "Sands of Solitude," where nature’s landscapes and human introspection meet in evocative poetry. This collection invites readers to reflect on memory, resilience, and the beauty of solitude. 🌅📖

A poetic journey through nature, history, and humanity’s timeless struggles. From summer’s serenity to cholera’s haunting legacy, these poems explore the beauty and depth of the human experience.

24/10/2024

Etheridge's poetry takes us on a journey through desolate landscapes—both physical and spiritual. From 'Disorders of the Spirit' to 'The Bloodstone,' these verses unearth forgotten dreams and questions of existence. A must-read for fans of deep, contemplative poetry.

A haunting collection of poems that traverse the spiritual and the earthly, Etheridge explores themes of isolation, memory, and timelessness. Each poem evokes vivid landscapes, philosophical reflections, and the weight of forgotten dreams.

24/10/2024

Paula's welcoming smile and refined presence are a reflection of her cosmopolitan upbringing and business success. From her stylish Brussels studio, she navigates a world that isn't always easy for women in art and business. Her story is one of elegance, grace, and ambition. 💼✨ Read more about Paula and her journey.

Born and raised in the vibrant, cosmopolitan city of Brussels, Paula Raiglot defines herself not only by her origins but by her multidisciplinary approach to