The Delmarva Review will celebrate publication of its fourth annual issue with a “Fourth Anniversary Celebration” on First Friday, Oct. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Academy Arts Museum, in Easton. The event is free, and the public is invited.

Three award winning authors will read from their published work: poet Anne Colwell, of Milton, Delaware, John Lewis, arts editor of Baltimore Magazine, and fiction author Dean Hebert, a former winner of the Sophie Kerr Prize at Washington College.

The fourth edition of The Delmarva Review is off the press and being distributed to regional bookstores and libraries. It is available on the Web for download. The nonprofit literary review features compelling new writing from 33 authors in eight states, the District of Columbia and the Ukraine.

“Intelligent, sturdy, free-spirited, genuineness and heart are all qualities that describe writing in the new review,” said Linda Fritz, editor of the literary journal. “These are also the wonderful equine qualities of the wild Chincoteague pony featured on our cover.”

Published by the Eastern Shore Writers’ Association (ESWA), the review focuses attention on “evocative and memorable” poetry, short stories, and nonfiction from writers in the Chesapeake region, while welcoming work from all writers, regardless of geographic origin.

The new issue has expanded the content over previous editions. It includes five short stories, 28 poems, three essays and five reviews of recent notable books. In addition to the printed journal, it is published in a digital edition on Kindle at Amazon.com, where apps are available for reading on smart phones, tablets and other downloadable devices.

The 2011 issue highlights new poetry from featured author Wendy Elizabeth Ingersoll, of Newark, Delaware. She distills poetic images from memories of her father and days gone by.

The color cover is by Maryland photographer Katherine Mann.

Over its four-year history, The Delmarva Review has published original prose and poetry from 95 authors, most from the tri-state region, and others from 14 states, the District of Columbia, and six foreign countries. Twelve poems and stories have been nominated for Pushcart Prizes, a prestigious national literary award.

The Delmarva Review is a nonprofit publishing venture of ESWA, with additional funding from private contributions and sales. ESWA supports writers and the literary arts across the Delmarva region.

A volunteer editorial board is responsible for the review’s content and publication. The board includes Wilson Wyatt, chairman, Linda Fritz, editor, Mala Burt, managing editor, John Elsberg, poetry editor, Amanda Newell, co-editor of poetry, Margot Miller, fiction editor, Harold Wilson, co-editor of fiction, and George Merrill, nonfiction editor. The copy editor is Jeanne Pinault. Laura Ambler is the publication’s designer.

Single issues are for sale at regional bookstores including: the News Center, in Easton, Mystery Loves Company, in Oxford, Creative Xpressions, in St. Michaels, and The Writer’s Center, in Bethesda, Maryland. Two-year subscriptions are $18. An order form is downloadable from the review’s website www.delmarvareview.com.

Fiction writers are encouraged to enter the “Delmarva Review Short Story Prize” contest, offering cash prizes up to $500 for first place, plus publication in the 2012 issue. The nonprofit competition, open to all writers, will end on November 1, 2011. See the website for “Contest” details: www.delmarvareview.com.

Writers interested in submitting their work for consideration in the next issue should consult the guidelines on the review’s website.