Letter from the Editor
Dear Readers,
Having spent this summer working diligently (and remotely) alongside the other wonderful editors at Glassworks through submissions, revisions, and technicalities, it is an understatement to say that Issue 21 holds a special place in my literary heart. In this strange and often difficult year we’re facing, I found solace in reading the creative work of so many talented writers who were brave enough to send their words out into the world. This is to say, keep creating. The poems, the stories, the essays, the artwork: all of it matters.
One of the things I find most interesting and empowering about Issue 21 is that it demonstrates how two writers can approach a similar topic or issue in completely different ways, allowing readers to gain so much new perspective—something especially valuable and necessary these days. Both fiction pieces, “Content Management” by Nina Lukina and “The Stylist” by Robin Vigfusson, touch on the importance of appearance, but “Content Management” approaches the idea through the lens of a personal-blog-obsessed college student, whereas “The Stylist” explores it through a woman’s obsession with a very mysterious hairdresser. Ellene Glenn Moore navigates the complexities of parent-child relationships through a dream in her captivating poem “Dream Logic,” while Andy Smart gives us a “smoke-long” of the same complexities through a completely different lens in his emotionally brilliant essay, “A Unit of Measure.” Such common themes explored by a wide variety of voices in this issue make it a truly inspiring read.
Having spent this summer working diligently (and remotely) alongside the other wonderful editors at Glassworks through submissions, revisions, and technicalities, it is an understatement to say that Issue 21 holds a special place in my literary heart. In this strange and often difficult year we’re facing, I found solace in reading the creative work of so many talented writers who were brave enough to send their words out into the world. This is to say, keep creating. The poems, the stories, the essays, the artwork: all of it matters.
One of the things I find most interesting and empowering about Issue 21 is that it demonstrates how two writers can approach a similar topic or issue in completely different ways, allowing readers to gain so much new perspective—something especially valuable and necessary these days. Both fiction pieces, “Content Management” by Nina Lukina and “The Stylist” by Robin Vigfusson, touch on the importance of appearance, but “Content Management” approaches the idea through the lens of a personal-blog-obsessed college student, whereas “The Stylist” explores it through a woman’s obsession with a very mysterious hairdresser. Ellene Glenn Moore navigates the complexities of parent-child relationships through a dream in her captivating poem “Dream Logic,” while Andy Smart gives us a “smoke-long” of the same complexities through a completely different lens in his emotionally brilliant essay, “A Unit of Measure.” Such common themes explored by a wide variety of voices in this issue make it a truly inspiring read.
I am especially thrilled for the publication of “The Economics of Breaking” by Elizabeth Ponds and “Sing” by Ashley Monet Johnson, two of the issue’s nonfiction pieces. Both essays explore important real-world issues—the difficulty of making a living as a college student, working A LOT and making a little in “The Economics of Breaking,” and the ongoing institutional racism of the prison system in “Sing.” Both essays also experiment with form in meaningful ways, namely the powerful use of a track listing in “Sing.” When I began my internship with Glassworks, I noted that I was passionate about amplifying marginalized voices, so it’s an honor to be able to share the personal stories of queer writers and writers of color in this issue.
I could go on for pages about how inspired I was by the little fisher-girl in Norman Minnick’s poem “Tourist Baiting” or how the colors in Martin Krafft’s cover art feel absolutely perfect for fall, but it’s time you got the opportunity to actually read this incredible issue of Glassworks!
To Katie Budris, thank you for the opportunity to be a part of Glassworks. You are an incredible Editor in Chief who goes above and beyond, and this experience has made me a better reader, writer, and collaborator. To the contributors of Issue 21, thank you for trusting us with your work and congratulations! And to the readers, enjoy! May the words and art in this issue be a beacon of hope for you as they are for me.
Jackie Domenus
Associate Editor
I could go on for pages about how inspired I was by the little fisher-girl in Norman Minnick’s poem “Tourist Baiting” or how the colors in Martin Krafft’s cover art feel absolutely perfect for fall, but it’s time you got the opportunity to actually read this incredible issue of Glassworks!
To Katie Budris, thank you for the opportunity to be a part of Glassworks. You are an incredible Editor in Chief who goes above and beyond, and this experience has made me a better reader, writer, and collaborator. To the contributors of Issue 21, thank you for trusting us with your work and congratulations! And to the readers, enjoy! May the words and art in this issue be a beacon of hope for you as they are for me.
Jackie Domenus
Associate Editor