Letter from the Editors: On the road and at homeHowdy boneyard! Since publishing our last issue of BFB, we’ve begun taking our zine on the road! We’ve tabled four conventions/literary festivals in the past few months—a range of events that covers academic writing, DIY zines, small publishing in Western Pennsylvania, and even cryptozoology. It’s been incredibly rewarding to get our zine in front of new readers and to see them get excited about the stories inside. One fella at the Johnstown Cryptid and Supernatural Expo left a real impression on Elyse and I. Between working full time and taking care of his kids, he struggled to find time to sit down and really enjoy the sci-fi and fantasy novels he used to love. When we told him about our zine—that it was made up of short stories he could read in less than half an hour—he lit up. The pure joy on his face! Reading was back for him. He got both of our issues, and as he walked away, held onto them with a reverence that set our hearts aflutter. Getting to engage with readers isn’t the only part that’s been rewarding; at all of these events, we’ve been making new friends! Local writers have been excited to find a new market to send work to and all of the other small presses have been incredibly warm, welcoming, and helpful. Shoutouts to Eamon at Bedlam Arts & Goods, the organizers at Scribble House, Todd Sanders of Air and Nothingness Press, the folks at The Scribblers Den, and our dear friends at Parsec Ink (who are currently accepting submissions for their latest anthology). Working with and beside all of these lovely creatives has been a joy, and we're grateful to call them friends. The local Pittsburgh publishing/arts community we find ourselves in has deep roots and fertile soil but could prosper with new growth, healthy sprawl. We have tenured publications and no lack of writers in the city but are missing a strong sense of connection to bring everyone together. However, these events and everyone we meet at them prove that this scene can thrive—that it will thrive with time and care. As we settle in, we hope to see it grow and flourish—for ourselves to be just one of many stalks reaching towards the sun. Happy trails, -Joel Troutman |
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