Dear Reader,

Every time I sat down to write this Editor's note, I found myself intimidated by the task at hand. I was struck, as I often am, by the power that words can have. It's one of the reasons that people in precarious positions of power like to burn books. Ideas strike sparks in the mind, which can flame into full-fledged beliefs and feelings. Creative writing challenges us to think about the world around us, to think critically, and to consider the viewpoints of others. Stories engender empathy, and in a political climate where the two sides of the aisle feel so far apart, empathy is one of the most powerful tools we have to bring people together. To tell a story is to wield power in a way that only we as wordsmiths can.

When we chose the theme of Power for this issue, we did not do so lightly. We wanted people to really grapple with the idea of it, in all its forms: abuse of power, lack of power, both internal and external powers. Each piece in this issue was chosen by our editorial team because they embodied the theme in their own way. I hope that as you read this issue, you confront your own ideas about power and about the world. I hope you flex your empathy muscles. It’s one of the most powerful things you can do.

Sincerely, 

Katie Blue-Pugh

Editor-in-Chief