Hi, guys and gals, and Happy New Year!

I know, just a little late, but it’s the first chance I’ve had since the ball dropped. And there hasn’t been much change, anyway, really. The war in Ukraine drags on and the American taxpayers continue to fund the world. The invasion of our country by undocumented aliens rolls on and nobody seems to want to do anything positive in that arena, either. So, time for escape fiction, huh?

We have a pretty impressive lineup this time around. Malik Mandeville brings us his story, Day of Betterment, in which the local kids get to participate in some strange ceremonies, indeed. In Cemetery Road by Richard Brown, the protagonist finds himself in a lot of trouble when he checks out the house across the road. The cops don’t take him seriously, but someone does…

In Michael Stoll’s I Quit, after a lifetime of abuse the guy everyone picks on finally has enough and decides to slice some meat at the deli.

Cindy Rosmus brings us one of her fine flash fiction stories in Dirty Blue Bandana, and M. L. Fortier clues us in on what it’s like to marry a zombie. Creepy stuff included in this issue, folks. And our poetry section includes sixteen excellent pieces, so you all have your work cut out for you. I’ll let you get to it…and have a great year!

Kenny Crist

Wichita, KS.

1/15/2023