Les Kay

Monica Jacobe

Editor's Note

Here, at last, is the first issue of the second volume of Ward 6 Review: A great big new beginning. In five short months, we've accomplished far more than I imagined when the notion first flitted across my mind last summer. Yet, I realize that there is more, so much more, to be done.

In the latter half of each month, when I'm feeling bogged down by submissions, the errant behavior of my dogs, the state of my sapling of a writing career, or the geopolitical machinations of realpolitik, I can easily slip into fantasies. I'll imagine the myriad accolades that will tumble from the sky, like manna, when my long in-progress novel is published. I daydream about impending acceptances from magazines that have held poems of mine for what seems a long time—even though I know from daily experience that myriad reasons other than the quality of a single submission could account for the apparent delay. I even contemplate whether or not I should begin a career as a poker player, now that a career as a football player is so clearly out of the question.

Or, I'll contemplate the day when Ward 6 Review can rival the larger literary magazines out there, like Poetry or The Paris Review.

But all of this speculation—aside from highlighting a touch of narcissism and tendency toward dreaminess—is idle. I miss the point. The point of sending out my poems is, ultimately, to have them read. The point of writing a novel is, ultimately, to have it read. So to with Ward 6 Review.

So far, with Ward 6 Review, we've had the opportunity—thanks to you—to publish a number of works that we adore, including several pieces in this issue, like Brady Alden's oddly touching story "Old Glory" and Hugh Fulham's delicate description of moments from childhood, "Clock Wise." So far, thanks to you, we've seen the number of visitors grow significantly with each and every issue. So far, we've managed to stand out, at least a little, in a fairly crowded niche of the publishing marketplace—also thanks to our readers and writers.

But what's next?

First, a hiatus.

Issue 2 will arrive at the beginning of March, allowing my wife and I time to focus on our own idle fantasies. We will, of course, continue to accept submissions for upcoming issues. More, we will continue to contemplate the future shape of Ward 6 Review.

To tide you until then, the first issue of Volume 2 is super-sized—featuring the work of fifteen talented poets, four works of beautifully textured fiction, and a moving work of creative nonfiction.

Then, we'll work to make Ward 6 Review even better—not for us, but for you. With that in mind, we're planning to introduce a Letters segment with the next issue, hoping that by adding more voices to our pages—and more perspectives about what appears in our pages, we can make this journal even more relevant to our readers. More, we'll continue to explore the shape of what Ward 6 Review should be in the future. What would you—our readers—most like to see in these pages? What would you like to see from a literary and cultural journal? Send us any ideas—any at all—and in the coming months it should become more and more clear why Ward 6 Review is here. It is here to be read, to be shared, to be savored.

Happy reading! We'll see you again in March. In the meantime, if you'd like to join this conversation, send letters to: letters AT ward6review.com.

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