twentysix

Welcome to twentysix — highlighting writing, flash and art from 52|250’s second quarter.  Here we present what we consider the very best from our many submissions between August 9 and November 7. Our weeks at 52|250 are packed with more and more stories and poems, and this quarterly reflects that as well.  See The Best Of pages to read our favorite selections from Weeks 14 – 26. In addition, we asked many of our 52|250 contributors to help us make this second quarterly special, and they came through with tremendous energy and commitment, just as we’ve come to expect.

First we asked our most frequent flashers — those writers who submitted pieces each week during the thirteen weeks of our second quarter — to read one of their flash pieces and also to contribute a new creative non-fiction piece that tells us a little more about them. Visit Frequent Flashers read and write to hear Catherine Russell, Elizabeth Kate Switaj, Kim Hutchinson, Linda Simoni-Wastila, Matt Potter and Matthew Hamilton in their own words and voices. ~

Next we asked other writers who frequent our pages with exquisite flash to add something special here as well. We included old hats who’ve been with us from the beginning — Randal Houle, Guy Yasko,  Martin Brick, Susan Gibb, Michael Webb, Dorothee Lang, Susan Tepper and Doug Bond — as well as three newer contributors who are quickly becoming 52|250 mainstays — Len Kuntz, Nicolette Wong and Fred Osuna — to send us a reflection on a piece of their choosing, and to tell us a little more about  how they went about tackling the theme and the story. We were not surprised one bit by the variety and creativity, and you won’t be either. See Eleven writers share a little more to hear all about flash. ~

We also pay tribute to our youngest artists here. As we looked back on the art we received between Weeks 14 and 26, it occurred to us that we had many submissions from artists under 21. We were wowed by the artwork of Terrin Munawet, Aljoscha Lahner, Lola Elvy and Manja Gattner, and now we bring you their words and new works as well. We are so pleased to see 52|250’s youngest artists shine — from outer space to the deep blue sea. ~

Finally you can go to the Editors’ Closet, because we like to  come out and flash too. We’ve added  three original non-fiction pieces as well as our Best Of selections from our own writing from Weeks 14-26.

We would like to thank all of 52|250’s contributors for making the first half of this flashy year dynamite. We continue to be amazed by this growing community of writers and artists. It’s been a hell of a ride so far, and we’ve got two more quarters to come.  Here’s to all we accomplished together in 2010, and to more flashtastic fun in 2011. We also thank all our readers who visit 52|250 and our quarterlies. Feel free to comment on the stories and art you find here, and thanks for reading. And if you’re interesting in reading more, you’ll find six months’ worth of outstanding flash and art at 52|250 A Year of Flash. Welcome to twentysix! Yours, Michelle Elvy                 John Wentworth Chapin                Walter Bjorkman