A new bi-monthly magazine celebrating women writers has landed. Belletrista, carved of moonlight, aims to share the varying voices of females internationally and I couldn’t be happier about it. In solidarity through our gender and our craft, this magazine is exposing readers to a galaxy of known and unknown women writing. Issue one is a walk through Europe, Colombia, Japan and further. The reviews are insightful, exciting and inspiring. “These short stories are peopled by richly drawn characters from all walks of Indian life who together paint a vivid picture of Bangalore today.” Akeela Gaibie-Dawood writes of Lavanya Sankaran’s newest work, The Red Carpet: Bangalore Stories, in her review on the site.

Poetry from the Afghan Women’s Writing Project is featured this bi-month complete with an interesting take on the work, followed by blog posts from some fresh perspectives on writing to Afghani life. I’m excited to read Life Hums In B Flat by Welsh author Mari Strachan after reading the excerpt: “You don’t want people to think you’re odd, do you?” from Rachel Hayes review.

The site is headed up by the wonderful Lois Ava-Matthews (States based) and is a not-for-profit, and as the website touts, “We approach our mission as readers, not as academics or book industry professionals. Belletrista hopes to bring its unique view of women-authored, global literature to a broad audience of international booklovers, from the seasoned fan of world literature to the passionate reader who is just venturing beyond familiar literary shores.”

Contributors coming from Ontario to Africa, the magazine has a taste for everyone. Though accepting donations, it’s free, email it over to your old college roommate and ask her how the novel’s shaping up.