A welcome in a strange time - A letter from the Editor

Dear Reader,

 I write this as the world is shuddering and heaving into a new manifestation, it's scary, exhilarating, completely overwhelming. It's all things good and bad and it makes for a lot of uncertainty and fear and hurt. The world is in an incredibly vulnerable place right now and we are along with it. So of course now is the time to experiment and push boundaries, start new projects, and bear out the results. What have we got to lose?

 There is something about massive world wide pandemics that puts things in perspective. That give you a sense of fearlessness. We could die tomorrow so why not do that insane idea? Granted I accepted this challenge before COVID hit, but not very long before. This whole process has been trying our best as we all go through the different stages of grief. Just experiencing this world change in front of us, as well as many of us losing family, and others we hold dear. It's been a hard fucking time. For all of us. 

Starting a project like this is intimidating in the best of times, but trying to pull everything together while the world is losing its mind around you is next level. It's a three card draw, and oops! All Towers! I had grand visions, and made a lot of sacrifices and compromises to get this first issue together. I still have grand visions, I'm just coming to terms wit the fact that sometimes things don't come together the way you want them to as immediately as you might like. I know I'm not the only one who lets situations like this inhibit their progress in challenges, but sitting here, looking at the finished project, I'm not upset. I'm happy, actually. It turned out beautifully. The best part is that once you've committed to the project, and pulled everything together to see the finished product it makes it easier to go back to the drawing board to make it happen again. Only this time with more experience and confidence to make everything even better next time.

It was kismet the way things came together for this issue. There was no real theme, as it was the first time we were trying this whole crazy thing out of thing air, why make it harder than it needs to be? Still, there seemed to be a common thread, a lilting tune tying everything together, turning it into a cohesive and complete package. I am so pleased and impressed with the work the writers have done. They really gave it their all, and I can't wait to see what they have in store, I hope that after you've enjoyed their work you look forward to what we all have in store for you. See you again in the Dark Months.

We can only go up from here~

  Wren Jones