Wowzer! What a time it has been since our Winter 2024 Issue was released! eMerge pulled a rabbit out of the hat with the first-ever Nikki Hanna Literary Challenge. You can read the top five entries by clicking on the contest tab. But as usual, these contests get me to thinking. Seriously, I do actually sit and think from time to time. It’s pretty much a survival tactic at my ancient age to appear intelligent by sitting and keeping my mouth closed. It usually doesn’t last very long, though. The reason we choose five entrants to be our ‘winners’ is because I have always abhorred literary competitions. Literary contests can be as subjective as a mood ring at a 70’s disco. I mean seriously, have you read some of the books chosen by the Pulitzer Prize committees? Of course, Oprah, Reese, and Jenna have produced a few stink bombs, too. You might even think they are on Penguin Random House’s payroll. Ok, ok, I’ll go sit in the corner and cogitate later. 

Back to ‘winners’ in literary contests. Anyone who sits down and shares a piece of their soul, their very humanity, by putting words into poetry or prose—is a winner. Those who write know this to be true. Writing truly is the loneliest profession. That’s why we offered our writers a critique from the judges and have been sharing some of the comments on our Facebook page. Many of the short story entrants took us up on this. I am thrilled that they did. The fee we charged went to the judges who were responsible for the critiques. The entry fees went to our top five selections. As the contest grows (hint hint) we will split the entry fees among our top entries. I would love to be able to offer five $500 prizes or six or seven. 

Okay, enough chitchat about contests. I want everyone who actually reads these letters from the editor to know that Joy Clark has left us for greener pastures (and no, she’s not becoming a farmer, that is a metaphor for a paying gig). We wish her all the best on her new endeavors and we know that she will be successful at whatever she attempts! We will miss her smile. In the meantime, we have hired a social media coordinator, Chad Gurley. You have been seeing his skills on our Facebook page. We are glad to have Chad on board and his future brainchildren. Cat Templeton continues to be our Web Sorceress and our go-to ‘what-the-heck-does-this-button-do’ oracle. Sandra Templeton, beautiful inside and out, has taken over as art director and provides the beautiful photographs and visuals that’ll make your heart sing, in perfect harmony with the symphony of words y’all create. We are profoundly grateful. You, dear writers, are the pulse of eMerge, a symphony penned with love.

Until Next Time,

I Remain,

Just another Zororastafarian editor searching for the cogitation corner trying not to spill his glass of wine while thinking about winning—no, that’s not it—the election?—Oh heck no…