It has been a stunning ten years since a team of editors took over Crab Creek from its founding editor, Linda Clifton. It’s now time for Harris and Laura, the last of that remaining team, to move on, bow out, and finally read something other than the contents of manila envelopes. They find themselves reminiscent, relieved, and generously grateful regarding their last ten years. It was not only wonderful to work with the writers and artists, but also with editor friends. But certainly they will find that there is life after litmag, and the magazine is left in very capable hands. Stick with Emily and Eleanor as they have exciting plans for the magazine that you don’t want to miss. We can’t say much here, but if the words “open bar” mean anything to you....

We regret to note that we must also include an apology. Oscar Wilde offers us his reprimand, “A poet can survive anything but a misprint.” But luckily Laura Bernstein is made of stronger stuff and is allowing us to reprint her poem “Storm Watch” in its entirety here.

Also in this issue—well, there is so much great reading here, we almost couldn’t let it go. Thus the delay. Now is your chance to feast on fine prose in four short stories whose writers are new to our pages, and to laugh at the campfire with long-time favorite contributor, Tommy Zurhellen. We open with a poem from our old friend Kathleen Flenniken, and include exciting verse from new and seasoned writers as well. You’ll move from the seductive rhythms of “Volans” by Éireann Lorsung, to the soccer cheers in “Club Atlético Boca Jrs.” by Yago Said Cura.

Thanks to those who caught us at the Hugo House’s Library Talks in November where we discussed editorial taste and the somewhat slippery pursuit of getting published. We always enjoy emerging from our dark caves to speak with writers and readers in the community. For those story-tellers and poets out there who missed the discussion but wonder what it takes to get into a literary magazine, we remind you that it takes talent, heart, and many, many revisions. In return for your toil, you will find editors who are genuinely excited by the work they read, who look for reasons to accept rather than grounds for rejection, and who are continually thankful for your craft and risk-taking.

Gule gule.