Support Byzantium, Cal Poly’s Literary Journal! (November 2020)

Help Byzantium publish their 31st edition! Byzantium is the Cal Poly English Department’s award-winning literary journal for poetry and fiction. It was created in 1990 as a senior project, and continues to be published entirely by undergraduate students. For the past 30 years, Byzantium has given Cal Poly students from all majors and backgrounds the chance to see their work in print, a rare opportunity for many young creative writers. Emphasizing Cal Poly’s Learn By Doing motto, Byzantium complements the English Department's creative writing emphasis by providing both an in-house publication goal and a capstone work that demonstrates our student and department’s commitment to creative writing.

At Byzantium, we value the talent and storytelling of all our fellow Cal Poly students. That is why we chose every peice anonymously, to ensure that every writer has the chance to become published and see their work in print. For over 30 years, Byzantium has encouraged creativity and literary innovation by providing students with a platform to share their creative writing and storytelling abilities with the world. We continue to celebrate the talent and work of our fellow writers while providing our readers with creative writing and fresh literary perspectives. The uncertainty of funding from traditional art-centric donors is threatening the possibility of this year’s publication, as well as funding the project in the future.

Byzantium continues to encourage creativity and literary innovation, but the pandemic has severely diminished their ability to fundraise to cover printing costs. Under normal circumstances, Byzantium fundraisers, such as the used book sale, would be conducted in person. With current restrictions banning in-person fundraising, the journal may suffer if we are not able to meet certain budgetary needs. Any gifts made to Byzantium will help cover publication costs and allow for the inclusion of artwork in color in this year’s edition.