Editor’s Note by Kristina Marie Darling


It is truly an honor to introduce the eighteenth issue of Tupelo Quarterly. In addition to featuring new work by such literary luminaries as Timothy Donnelly, Julie Carr, Chaun Ballard, Rodrigo Toscano, and Cole Swensen, 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. Diamond Forde, whose star is also rising, shows us the politics implicit in body image in poetry that is both lively 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 July 15th, we will be open to submissions for our Poetry Open Prize, judged by Hoa Nguyen, and our Prose Open Prize, judged by Danielle Dutton. 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!