Not as Alone as We Think (David Intro) (03/28/2020)

Not as Alone as We Think | The Weekly Atticus

March 28, 2020

A recap of the week's writing at Atticus Review. Introduction by David Olimpio.

Every year in the spring, we plan a short publishing hiatus following the AWP Conference, a few weeks to recoup after what is typically a busy time. Well, it seems a few things happened when we were away. We're coming back to a very different cultural landscape.

If your inbox is anything like mine, then it has been flooded over the last few weeks with updates from every business or organization you've ever had the slightest interaction with telling you about their response to COVID-19. I understand why they're doing that and I don't fault them, but man, it's a lot. While I hate to add to that deluge, I do want to include a few thoughts in this week's Weekly.

I've been of two minds (as I am with most things) about continuing to publish during all that's going on with this pandemic. On the one hand, it feels strange or unimportant to go on publishing like normal, especially in the face of what so many people are up against. On the other hand, I think that to continue doing what we do is probably the most important thing we

can

do. Authors still need support. Words still need to get out. Being an online magazine whose staff already edits from our homes and at great social distances from one another, we have the ability (and possibly the responsibility?) to continue as usual.  

That said, I do think this time begs for some new ideas on ways to bring folks together and so we may be trying some new things so that we can continue to be of service to authors during this time. For instance, I know that many authors have run into the unfortunate situation where their book events are being cancelled, and I've seen a lot of folks stepping up and hosting virtual live events. I love that idea. I have "attended" a few virtual readings and I've really enjoyed them. I'm hoping this might be a way Atticus Review can potentially help. While I'm not 100% sure what our contribution might look like, we would like to be involved and we're open to ideas/invitations/suggestions from all of you.

One thing I hope you'll have some patience with us on is that we're going to be a bit slow in getting

out in the mail. We had intended for a bunch of those to go out this month, but because that involves a trip to the post office and is not really "critical," we figured it could wait a few weeks until things felt a bit safer. If you've ordered a magazine, we're grateful for your support and we will be getting those out to you as soon as we can.

While I believe we will eventually overcome this virus, I also feel like there are going to be plenty of difficult times ahead. This will certainly have a lasting effect on our world, our culture. It's liable to change the way we do business, probably even the way we have fun. The social distancing has been challenging and has created huge hardships for many, emotionally and financially. And yet, I've spoken to people who also feel that, despite how ominous and uncertain things feel right now, they've actually been more in touch with the people in their lives lately, less isolated. I know that's been true for me. The last few weeks have been more busy (more social, more connected) for me than the preceding weeks and months. Maybe that will be one good thing to come from this: an awareness that we are not as isolated as we think. 

Stay safe out there. We're glad you're here.

David Olimpio

Editor-In-Chief & Publisher

ATTICUS NEWS

Hi Poets!  We hope you're doing well during this stressful time.Have you been writing about it? Send your poems to our contest.Only about eight days left to submit. This year's Poetry Contest is judged by poet Roberto Carlos Garcia,publisher of Get Fresh Books, which publishes (exclusively) poetry collections.First prize: $350. Entry fee: $10 (for three poems). Deadline: April 5th, 2020. 

THIS WEEK AT ATTICUS

BOOK REVIEWWE LIVE IN HELLA Review of ONLY AMERICANS BURN IN HELL by Jarett Kobek Review by Alan Good"ONLY AMERICANS BURN IN HELL is the perfect book to read when you live in Hell, which is, in fact, where we live."GET THE BOOKREAD THE REVIEW

FICTIONIN THE DOG PARKby Rebecca Bernard "Wayne tries to catch Molly’s eye, but she’s staring at the man, his jeans, his mouth moving and moving. Ring in the pocket and Wayne, earlier, kneeling on the front porch..."READ ON

POETRYPELAGICby Johanna Dong"into the saline night. I beg my mother / to show me my heritage // & when she turns away I steal down, / away to open ocean"READ ON

CREATIVE NONFICTIONTHE SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO CHAPTER OF THE SAD BOYS' CLUB OF AMERICA by Bucket Siler"He doesn’t know why, exactly, but he’s very sad and very special, and now that he knows you know it too, he won’t leave you alone."READ ON

MIXED MEDIAMY SEVEN-SEASON FRIENDSHIP WITH A RUSSIAN SPYby Lynn McGee and Bill ParodREAD ON

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