Letter From the Editors
Dear Readers,
We - Kaitlyn, Rachel, and Laura - are so very excited to be celebrating the release of Issue 18! As Associate Editors, we have been working on this issue since its inception, and we are incredibly proud to share it with the world. Along the way, we have learned a ton, made some great memories, and grown as writers.
When coming into this position, we were somewhat familiar with what to expect. We had a basic grasp on the inner workings of running a literary magazine, Glassworks specifically, and we were united by our love of creative writing. Immediately, we sensed we had become a part of an amazing collaborative and creative space. It has been refreshing to be around people and work with authors who all share a love of writing. We feel lucky to have gained such exciting hands-on experience in reviewing, editing, and composition across many forms of media.
What we have come to love most about working with Glassworks is collaboration with writers in so many different ways. The creative pieces we read and review inspire us to work on our own writing and hone our own craft. Reading and selecting pieces for this issue has opened our eyes to the wide range of writers, genres, and communities that exist within the world of creative writing. This motivates us to take a trip out of our comfort zone and try new forms of writing, like the writers we have the privilege of reading every day! The pieces in the new issue feel to us like gold coins discovered under a sandy beach, like a wonderful secret we can’t wait to share with the world. It's a great honor!
We - Kaitlyn, Rachel, and Laura - are so very excited to be celebrating the release of Issue 18! As Associate Editors, we have been working on this issue since its inception, and we are incredibly proud to share it with the world. Along the way, we have learned a ton, made some great memories, and grown as writers.
When coming into this position, we were somewhat familiar with what to expect. We had a basic grasp on the inner workings of running a literary magazine, Glassworks specifically, and we were united by our love of creative writing. Immediately, we sensed we had become a part of an amazing collaborative and creative space. It has been refreshing to be around people and work with authors who all share a love of writing. We feel lucky to have gained such exciting hands-on experience in reviewing, editing, and composition across many forms of media.
What we have come to love most about working with Glassworks is collaboration with writers in so many different ways. The creative pieces we read and review inspire us to work on our own writing and hone our own craft. Reading and selecting pieces for this issue has opened our eyes to the wide range of writers, genres, and communities that exist within the world of creative writing. This motivates us to take a trip out of our comfort zone and try new forms of writing, like the writers we have the privilege of reading every day! The pieces in the new issue feel to us like gold coins discovered under a sandy beach, like a wonderful secret we can’t wait to share with the world. It's a great honor!
What’s more, we love communicating with authors. Seriously. They’re so nice. The overwhelming kindness and gratitude of all the writers we communicate with is so refreshing that it feels like taking a bath in rose water. Their compassion is comforting to us as emerging writers—as we work more closely with Glassworks and appreciate the profound, well-crafted pieces we receive from writers, submitting our own work becomes less daunting. Sharing pieces as personal as these can be scary. Working with Glassworks makes waiting to hear back a little easier.
We have made so many fantastic memories throughout the process of working on Issue 18, and we certainly have many more to come! We can’t wait to represent Glassworks at the AWP Conference in Portland in March. We know you’ll enjoy the issue just as much as we do—here are some particular pieces that stood out to us!
Kaitlyn’s favorite is “She Who Carries the Water, Carries the Fish” by Fred Dale on page 72. She is enraptured by Dale’s use of language and metaphor in this poem. She feels the strong imagery and examination of memory evoke a poignant sense of nostalgia.
Rachel says to check out “Puncher, America, and Fake-Ass Jordans” by Joe Costal on page 8. This piece reminds her of growing up in Camden, where an overwhelming majority of the population was Hispanic. Costal’s description of place and characters, as well as use of language and accents, made her feel like a kid again.
Laura’s favorite is “Sandals for Summer” by Mark Mulholland on page 32. She finds the narrative voice to be strong and moving, while capturing the telling details that make you fall in love with the characters and have your heart break with them.
Finally, we would like to extend endless gratitude to the people who have given us this amazing opportunity. Thank you to our Editor-in-Chief, Katie Budris, our Managing Editor, Anthony Palma, and the rest of the Glassworks staff for your support and all the great memories.
Kaitlyn Gaffney, Rachel Barton, Laura Kincaid
Associate Editors
We have made so many fantastic memories throughout the process of working on Issue 18, and we certainly have many more to come! We can’t wait to represent Glassworks at the AWP Conference in Portland in March. We know you’ll enjoy the issue just as much as we do—here are some particular pieces that stood out to us!
Kaitlyn’s favorite is “She Who Carries the Water, Carries the Fish” by Fred Dale on page 72. She is enraptured by Dale’s use of language and metaphor in this poem. She feels the strong imagery and examination of memory evoke a poignant sense of nostalgia.
Rachel says to check out “Puncher, America, and Fake-Ass Jordans” by Joe Costal on page 8. This piece reminds her of growing up in Camden, where an overwhelming majority of the population was Hispanic. Costal’s description of place and characters, as well as use of language and accents, made her feel like a kid again.
Laura’s favorite is “Sandals for Summer” by Mark Mulholland on page 32. She finds the narrative voice to be strong and moving, while capturing the telling details that make you fall in love with the characters and have your heart break with them.
Finally, we would like to extend endless gratitude to the people who have given us this amazing opportunity. Thank you to our Editor-in-Chief, Katie Budris, our Managing Editor, Anthony Palma, and the rest of the Glassworks staff for your support and all the great memories.
Kaitlyn Gaffney, Rachel Barton, Laura Kincaid
Associate Editors
