Introduction to Issue 42

“All things must pass” George Harrison sang in 1970.  Misfit has arrived at a juncture when it must pass also. But it is not passing away so much as being passed along to another editor who will put her imprint on the magazine.  Jennifer, Gene and I have thoroughly enjoyed the much longer than anticipated run of the magazine. We’ve attracted so many poets previously unknown to any of us who have become friends and I’m sure many other will come on board in the future.  Stay tuned for new guidelines from the new editor who has been a contributor for many years, Mickey Corrigan.  In future Misfit will focus primarily on poetry as reviews will no longer be a focus. I have enjoyed reading hundreds of books and chapbooks and sharing my thoughts about them for well over a decade. A hearty thank you for all those readers and writers who have made this journey a great one!

Number #42 will be the last open submission edition of Misfit by the current editors but not the last issue for us. One more Editor’s Choice issue will replace the fall #43 issue at some point later in the year, probably in October or November.  Watch for a Facebook for an announcement of the issue’s release. Updated guidelines should be available by then also.  Keep the creative juices flowing and we’ll see you on the bounce. 

One last thing (or 2)
Douglas Adams asserted that the answer to the mysteries of the universe was 42 making this issue double momentous. We have a rich selection of poems by regulars: Claire Scott, David Chrlton, Jakima Davis, Kevin Ridgeway, Mather Schneider, Mark Young, Tony Gloeggler, and Juliet Cook among many others.  We have several new to us authors: Damon Hobbs, Christopher Barnes, P.A. Jones, Precious Ejim, David Leeand Jospeh Whitton among others.  Enjoy the diversity of voices and viewpoints. I also would be remiss without a moment of reflection for the many supporters and writers who passed away during the current run of the magazine: D.E. Steward, Ed Galing, Mike Estabrook, Tom Thomas aka The Poet Spiel, Stu Bartow, Mike Faran,  with a special remembrance for Joan Colby who was with us from the beginning until her death.

Take heart fellow readers and writers, we are not passing away so much as passing the torch as Harrison says,

Now the darkness only stays at night time
In the morning it will fade away
Daylight is good
At arriving at the right time
But it’s not going
To be this grey
All things must pass
All things must pass away

And as Douglas Adams said at the conclusion to the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe, “Goodbye and thanks for all the fish.”