We set out in August 2012 to break new ground. To do something new. To create a lit mag that was all about literature that scorches the earth. We wanted revolutions in each word and sentence, each image and scene. It’s hard, though, to say that thing and actually make it happen. But, that thing has happened, we think. Look at what’s in this issue.

The always-wonderful Lindsay Hunter brings us “Gerald’s Wife,” which will kick your ass. Some frighteningly-breathtaking, gut-punching short-shorts: deer-cleaning and men from Casey Hannan, fireflies and love from Aaron Teel, and the Ultimate Warrior and comebacks from Ryan Werner. An out-loud-funny and heartbreaking longer story from Edward Hagelstein. There is more retina-burning from Helen McClory & Jesse Hertz – this being his first publication.

Poetry razes in Issue One. Cameron Witbeck brings his unique poetic voice in “The Tunnel Rat” & “The Chum Chum Thief” and Sarah

Wynn brings you two poems, “In Three to Six Months” and “Google Sky.” We fill up the poetry with Bianca Diaz’s “Aubade at the Underwater Hotel,” threads and seams from Valentina Cano, and “Caul” by Jenna Lynch. Donald Parker. Charles Rafferty. Rachel Carden.

Finally, some excellent creative nonfiction: birds and trees and conquering and Mexico from Matthew Gavin Frank, challenging work from Will Kaufman, and wind energy and Texas from Laura Zak.

We think the work in Issue One does what he hoped it would when we started this thing: it burns retinas, it moves and rages, it sets fires and breaks down walls, it rises from the ashes. We hope you think so, too.

–Justin Lawrence Daugherty | Managing/Founding Editor – Sundog Lit

October 2012