EDITORIAL REMARKS by M.R. Branwen
ALL OF THE STORIES in this issue have the underpinnings of a fable or legend, which would be especially apparent if you translated them into, say, Old English. But then, most things would sound pretty legendary in Old English.
Already I digress.
Here’s what we’ve got going on: First of all, an editing project. A few of us endeavored to edit pieces of classic literature into something new. Luke Jones came through with a fantastic trio of stories about seafaring, then Roland Goity remixed some D. H. Lawrence and I myself up-ended some Lewis Carroll to get in on the fun.
Rounding out the fiction this issue, we have two new strange fairy tales from Cezarija Abartis; a cautionary family tale from Slush Pile newcomer Tyler Sage, and a lovely, haunting piece from Catherine Parnell.
As an aesthete, I must admit that the titles of the fiction in this issue please me especially.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I did pick most of them. But listen: At Sea, Filthy Lucre, Tinto, Vivre Le Mystere! That’s a healthy and intriguing mouthful.
And they’re going to be even more fun to read.
There are two other exciting things happening in this issue. The first involves a project that began sometime last year when I started noticing faces all over the sidewalks of New York. That’s right, faces. Beautiful tar-drip portraits, just slipped subtly underfoot. I became fascinated with them, taking pictures of them wherever I encountered them. I chose favorites. And then, one day, it occurred to me that, as a child of the internet age, I could most likely track down the artist responsible for them. So I did. And in so doing made the acquaintance of Paul Richard who invited me over to his studio and even allowed an interview. So you have that to look forward to.
The second, other, exciting thing happening this issue is Sabrina Mansouri. I am so thrilled to have her beautiful paintings on the “pages” of Slush Pile. You will find her collection of morphed, dreamlike portraits to be the perfect complement to the stories in the issue, I think.
I do it all for you, reader. Well actually, no, I do it for myself. But I do like you a whole lot, too.
— M.R. Branwen