Letter from the EditorsDearest Boneyard, It’s been a tempestuous few months since our last issue. We find ourselves coming to port now with patched sails and a battered hull, though confident that our stories and poems are no worse for wear. There have been no issues with authors or our impeccable cover artist; it was an overbearing workload from our last submission period that nearly capsized us. But here we are at last, stepping back ashore with a bounty of fresh goods to share. And oh! what a bounty indeed–! Sorry. I’m currently reading Babel and have been watching The Crown with Caroline, so I’m feeling verbose. I’ll drop the bit. Anyway, we’re over the moon with this issue! Its string of environmentally and socially conscious pieces slotted together perfectly, measured between bleak truths and a desire to make good. That thematic balance is a core drive behind this publication as a whole, and this issue feels like one of the best overall representations of it. We’re also happy to welcome back to our pages four returning writers and proud to publish the debut stories for three new writers. This mix of fresh and familiar faces keeps us excited for the future of our little publishing community. We got to connect with the local part of that community just recently at the Scribble House Lit Fest. Amongst the many friends we got to chat with, we had the pleasure of catching up with solarpunk champion Susan Kaye Quinn and talked with her about hope in the current landscape of fiction. She holds the perspective that readers long for hope, if not consciously then subconsciously. We whole-heartedly agree. So many of the news stations and social media platforms profit from the clickability of doomerism that it’s come to a point where hope itself can feel like a radical form of escapism. When driving towards a cliff’s edge, it’s silly to imagine anything besides crashing off it. Yet so much else is possible: the brakes slamming down, a rough-yet-serviceable landing, or someone yanking the wheel towards safety. Keeping alive the hope of lush forests and the fair treatment of all in spite of the crushing opposition is the first step towards achieving it. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with being silly. Just read the opening paragraph again. As we hand this issue off to our readers, we are eager for a bit of respite. We’ve spent the past two years learning how to publish a magazine, growing a sense of confidence as editors, publishers, and booksellers. Now we need to try to figure out one of the scariest parts of business ownership: work/life balance. We want Baubles to continue for as long as possible, but we’re already feeling the fatigue of operating a small publication on top of our day jobs. We’re spitballing solutions and devising plans to stay afloat that mostly just involve ways to efficiently read submissions and send large volumes of emails. There’s nothing to report now besides our weariness and unending gratitude. The continued interest of writers keeps us busy, as do the markets we table and the art we design. We like being busy, but just you know, not that busy. Despite the growing pains, we will persist! I hope you enjoy this issue of Baubles From Bones and that you may even consider picking up the next one. Until then, stay warm. From my pond to yours, Joel |
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