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Welcome to Blue Lake Review, home of some of the greatest fiction and poetry on the Internet.
Take a look around. We feature writing from veteran as well as upcoming writers.
Our goal is to bring compelling, meaningful, insightful fiction and poetry to you on a regular basis. Something you can ponder and gnaw on. Something to bring light, or at least, growth and understanding to our readers on a regular basis. No frivolous pieces here. Your time is too valuable. We're serious about our words, and are selective in what we present to you, sifting through the mountains of words to pull out the diamonds.
We bring you our best. And if you're a writer, send us your best.
We hope you enjoy the great new Blue Lake Review!
--Mitchell & Diana
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Fiction Editor Mitchell Waldman's novel The Visitor is a unique blend of science fiction, social commentary, and human drama, with dystopian and literary elements. It explores identity, alienation, social and political conditions, and government overreach in our current society from the viewpoint of an outsider--an alien spirit which has replaced that of a human after an automobile accident--or is he really just a human soul affected by a traumatic brain injury?
What reviewers have been saying about The Visitor:
Original, clever, imaginative, compelling, and a fun, fascinating read from cover to cover, The Visitor by Mitchell Waldman is an extraordinary and recommended pick for all dedicated science fiction fans. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Science Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this trade paperback edition of The Visitor from All Things That Matter Press is also available in a digital book format.
--Midwest Book Review (Small Press Bookwatch)
The Visitor by Mitchell Waldman melds sci-fi with human drama. It also throws in biting commentary of a dystopian nature. That nature is pretty much what is currently unfolding in the U.S. The strong-arm type of arresting and detaining of illegal immigrants in the novel is exactly what is happening in the U.S. right now. The messages in the media that are being constrained by the government in the novel appears to be happening in real life in the U.S. And the unhinged President in the novel, Wolff, parallels a lot of Donald Trump's words and actions. If you like a good story that blends science fiction with human drama with dystopian elements thrown in The Visitor is something you should read. Even if you're a die-hard conservative who aligns with the current U.S. President, this is a good read. It just might get you to think about your choices.
--BVS Reviews
“He wakes up in a different body.” And from this instantly gripping opening line, The Visitor never lets go. Ash – also known as Pin Asher9919 – awakens in the body of Edward Fleishman, navigating Earth through the eyes of a consciousness that is profoundly not human. What follows is a clever, often darkly funny exploration of identity, belonging, and the quiet absurdities of modern life. Seen through Ash’s “box-fresh” perspective, everyday human behaviours – our phone obsessions, emotional overreactions, even the logic of money – are gently ridiculed with almost childlike curiosity and sharp insight. Beneath the subtly observed wit sits a more unsettling undercurrent. Waldman uses Ash’s predicament as a clear allegory for the persecution of the outsider, blending speculative fiction with political satire as a paranoid, election-driven America turns its attention toward rooting out “illegal aliens.” This time, one who truly is from another world. Touches of Men in Black-style menace give way to something more intimate and disturbing as Ash is abducted, detained, examined, and effectively “disappeared.” Smart, compassionate, and quietly unsettling, The Visitor is a thoughtful sci-fi novel with a strong inner voice and a protagonist who is easy to empathise with. A highly enjoyable, reflective read. Thoroughly recommended.
- David Alan Woods, author of Brid: Fight or Flight
You can check it out on Amazon here.
Poetry Editor Diana May-Waldman's book A Woman's Song has received strong praise for its raw emotional power and unflinching honesty. The poetry collection explores the complexities of womanhood—touching on themes like violence, inequality, love, lust, and resilience—with a voice that is both fierce and tender.
Readers have described it as “kick to the gut” poetry—unfiltered, passionate, and deeply moving. The Book Commentary calls it “a gorgeous collection” that captures the ache of longing, the beauty of friendship, and the contradictions of desire and tenderness. One reviewer highlighted the poem “Penis” as emblematic of the book’s bold, confrontational tone, while others noted the vivid imagery and lyrical intensity throughout.
If you’re drawn to poetry that doesn’t flinch from the hard truths but still finds space for beauty and strength, this one might resonate deeply.
You can check Diana's book out here.
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