It is truly an honor to introduce the fifteenth issue of Tupelo Quarterly. In addition to featuring new work by such literary luminaries as Karla Kelsey, Bruce Bond, Rebecca Hazelton, Terese Svoboda, and Karyna McGlynn, we are excited to highlight several exciting new voices in the literary arts. Kylan Rice, for instance, shows us the myriad ways that poetry can bridge philosophical and artistic traditions in a critical essay that is impressive in its scope and ambition. Kate Folk, whose star is also rising, shows us the humor inherent in magical realism in prose that is both lucid and unsettling.
This issue is one of our best ones yet, representing a full range of aesthetic approaches, formal predilections, and writerly influences. In many ways, this diversity arises from our Senior and Associate Editors’ impressive array of critical and creative projects, and the infinitely varied questions they ask of language. As always, it is a pleasure to showcase their interests in our Editorial Features section, highlighting the myriad influences that shape our magazine and its offerings. Similarly, our Editors’ Selections in Poetry, Prose, and Visual Art showcase work that has been important to our editors’ development as creative practitioners and critical thinkers.
Beginning on June 15th, we will be open to submissions for our Poetry Open Prize, judged by Jennifer Chang, and our Prose Open Prize, judged by Bhanu Kapil. As always, we look forward to reading your work. In the meantime, I hope you you enjoy TQ’s vast and luminous offerings. Happy summer, and enjoy!