Jacqueline: Can you believe it, flock? This issue marks the conclusion of Lammergeier: Season 1. This time last year, Ashely, Ethan, and I were sitting in three different states, bubbling over with excitement over the possibilities for what this magazine could be. Since day one, we've been thrilled to imagine the work we would house and the people who would want to be part of our weird family. Now, a year on, we're consistently blown away by the creativity, kindness, and compassion of our contributors, both past and present.
It's no secret that submission guidelines for lit mags are notoriously difficult to parse, a practice I know I'm guilty of perpetuating. What the hell is a poem with talons, anyway? Even still, the pieces in this issue are especially reflective of that ineffability and magic that I was hoping for when I wrote those guidelines a year ago. They're earnest; they're grotesque; they're stunning. I feel so lucky to be alive and making poetry when these people are alive and making poetry. I hope you feel the same.
Ashely: Did you know that the average housefly has a lifespan of about a month? So, our journal has outlasted several flies. Wow!
Seriously though, I'm so happy and proud of the work we've all been able to do together. I remember floating the idea of a "celebration of the grotesque" to people and getting a lot of skeptical responses. But I knew there were lots of wonderful people who knew how to dissect they way we construct beauty and ugliness and you certainly didn't disappoint.
Here's to many more years of flies and vultures!
Ethan: I'm particularly glad to be ending the year on this issue. With "Altitude" and "We Went to the Microzoo," we published our first stories with slipstream and science fiction elements, and both set a high bar for future work. "Hot Rain" feels like the perfect companion piece to Issue 2's "At the End of the World, a Song and Dance" with its themes and gorgeous language. Lastly, "Animals" takes the fable form and breathes new life into it as a vehicle for hope and strength in the face of oppression. All in all, I can't think of a better way to end the year.
It's been amazing to see the excellent work so many authors trust us with, and to be able to work alongside Jacque and Ashely on this crazy project. All things end eventually, but I hope Lammergeier lasts for a long time, because there's no journal I'd rather read for.
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