Preface to Volume XXVI

Preface to Volume XXVI

 

Welcome to volume 26 of the GHLL. As you’ll see from the “Dedication” written by Joe Benevento, in this issue we bid farewell to Jack Smith, who wishes to focus more fully now on his own writing. He founded the journal more than a quarter-century ago at North Central Missouri College, where he taught English and Philosophy. It grew from an inexpensively-produced outlet for student work to a regional, then national magazine with a roster of respected writers, and made the transition to web-delivery – well, fairly smoothly.

 

Have a look around. We have some remarkable poetry. Not least of their merits – I’ll bet I’m not the only one who will learn the new words “cultch” and “lych-gate.” We have new friends as well as familiar voices: Marc Belair, David Lawrence, Fred Yannantuono, Cathy Porter, Larry D. Thomas, Rebecca Foust.

 

The same goes for the fiction, where this time we have two stories by Karl Harshbarger, as well as a separate interview (look too for a talk with Mark Wisniewski). Gary Fincke is here again, as is Dennis Vannatta, and after many years, Evelyn Somers of the Missouri Review.

 

I think we have a very special nonfiction section this time. We take a special interest in the writing of prisoners. Read Gary Linton’s brief memoir. But take special note of Herbert Jordan’s “A Seat at the Window.” It comes at a timely juncture, with the confederate flag finally coming down from southern statehouse lawns, this remembrance of a journey into the heart of darkness by a black boy and his family in that terrible summer of 1964.

 

Of course there are the reviews. Modesty should forbid me to mention my own, but since I want you to read Joe Benevento’s new mystery novel, go ahead.

 

Thanks for stopping by. We’re always here for you.

 

ABD