Editor's Corner

By Mary E. Adair

From my close observation of writers... they fall into two groups: those who bleed copiously and visibly at any bad review, and those who bleed copiously and secretly at any bad review. -Isaac Asimov, scientist and writer (1920-1992)

That quote probably says it all, unless one were to wax eloquent and describe the estatic reaction that a good review can generate in even the shyest and most timid author. It is a well-known fact that feedback creates a greater flow of material, whether from an attempt to astound an already amazed reader or to placate and soothe the angry one. We have been lacking in feedback and it shows in the lack of submissions.

Submitting has become something of a challenge since the site is not accepting new material. However, authors can still submit their work via the contact info to either the webmaster or the editor, er moi. That is the way most of our regular columnists do with their work. All are present to entertain you with their perspectives for this special combined issue. Being for both September and for October, a wide variance in subjects has evolved. Halloween scariness has perhaps won out as you will discover with the stories. A few of the poetry titles also have that chilling quality, "Widowmaker" by John I. Blair, for instance, while the cooking editor, Leo C. Helmer, chose seasonal recipes from the wealth of holiday cookery available on the world wide web. One recipe contains a "white ghost" pumpkin.

Articles include one by LC Van Savage, "Five Years and Not Fixed." Mark Crocker delights us with his sense of humor about "The Demon Possessed Car." The third article explains one reason the cook was under the weather, or just plain worn out from traveling - "Leo Goes To Washington."

Contrary to this column's usual method of outlining each title, this month please launch your own tour. Be prepared for a few shocks, some gasps, and if you feel the hair raising on the back of your neck... well, enjoy!

See you in November!