Our Mission

The Linden Review is a biannual, online journal produced by faculty and students in English, the English MA, low-residency MFA, and Medical Humanities programs at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Our mission is to create a home for extraordinary pieces of creative nonfiction that explore a deeper understanding and appreciation of bodily, emotional, spiritual, social, and environmental well-being. 

We are honored to be stewards of your stories and carefully consider all submissions from both new and established writers of all identities and backgrounds. We are intentional in publishing BIPOC and LGBTQ writers. Giving diverse writers an international platform is key to our mission. We welcome submissions of traditional and experimental forms of creative nonfiction, author interviews, and book reviews that speak to our mission.

Why The Linden Review?

The linden tree is native to the Missouri River basin of western Iowa and eastern Nebraska, the latter of which houses the University of Nebraska at Omaha. It’s a hearty tree, resistant to drought and not overly picky about its soil. The linden’s leaf is large and heart-shaped, which we found a fitting symbol for a journal interested in exploring human health in all its forms. Just like any good essayist, we uncovered more connections between our journal and the linden tree as we dug deeper. We discovered, for instance, that before synthetic materials were widely available, linden wood was a popular choice for prosthetic limbs.

Calling this journal The Linden Review also helps us honor the connection to the native peoples of this area. The linden tree has been used for both industry and medicine by regional tribes. The pliable inner bark of the tree makes for excellent fibers that can be turned into ropes, mats, baskets, and nets. Moreover, the linden’s fragrant buds feed birds and deer, and even in its decay the tree’s cavities can house ducks, woodpeckers, and small mammals. It produces plenty of nectar, and bees make a sweet, limey honey from its pollination. In these ways, the linden reminds us that our personal and public health is inextricably intertwined with our environmental health.

Most of all, we wanted to create a space where writers and artists can share true stories and artwork that help us all better understand the complexities of health, healing, and the broader human condition.