Ideally, this issue of Fascicle will introduce the interested reader to writers and artists previously unfamiliar, as well as exhibit new and interesting work from more familiar folks.

Poetry, I think, is blessed by both its commercial marginality and its relative proliferation -- or perhaps that's just the editor in me talking. Simply put, there's a ton of fascinating work going on these days, and my intention is to establish Fascicle as one of the places where various strains of innovation can mingle.

This issue continues the first issue's impulse to look both outside the States for innovative writing in addition to exploring the various pockets and communities within its borders. I rely very heavily upon Fascicle's contributing editors, who often bring in work by writers who were previously unknown to me. Brent Cunningham, who lives in the Bay Area and is very active in the poetry worlds to be found there, is a new addition to the Fascicle editing masthead. Beginning with our third issue, due in summer of '06, Stacy Szymaszek will also be a contributing editor -- as a recent transplant from the Great Lakes to NYC, and as one of my favorite poets, I'm really excited to have her contributing to Fascicle.

I anticipate future issues will continue this issue's construction: a combination of an emphasis (collaboration in this issue), several edited portfolios, and a wide selection of poems, translation, essays and other material.

I hope you'll enjoy this issue.

 

Tony Tost
2/10/06
Chapel Hill, North Carolina