Letter from the Editor

Dear readers, As I sit upon this rapidly melting block of ice, I realize Summer is here. I trust that you are keeping cool during this dreadfully blistering time. How hot is it? It’s hotter than a Jalapeño’s armpit on the Fourth of July … It’s so hot I have to sleep in the oven just to cool off … It’s hotter than a two-peckered goat … It’s so hot the chickens are laying hard-boiled eggs! (Insert your favorite cliché here.). Now is the time to grab a refreshing ICED beverage and relax with the Summer Edition of eMerge.

We have curated an exceptional collection of poetry and short stories that will not only entertain but also stimulate your intellect. From Bill McCloud’s poem, Lip Prints, which cleverly juxtaposes science and whimsey, to the thought-provoking poem by Elizabeth G. Howard, All the Fat, which beautifully encapsulates the weight and significance of poetic expression, each piece brings something unique and thought-provoking to the table. Amidst the sweltering Summer days, you will find a breath of fresh air in this issue of eMerge.

eMerge is published thanks to the unwavering dedication of a small but passionate team—a team that delights in sharing our love of contemporary literature with you. Cat Templeton (one of my brilliant daughters), who diligently maintains our website and handles last-minute edits; Sandra Templeton (beautiful inside and out), our incredibly talented art director; and Chad Gurley, our skilled graphic design editor and social media editor. We are currently raising funds to ensure the continuity of a literary magazine that is not reliant on advertising. If you find this issue enjoyable, please consider making a small donation here. Even a modest contribution will help us continue publishing writing from emerging writers that captivates and inspires.

We would also like to express our gratitude to our Featured Partners, Blue Clover Editing, where Aubrey Green, a professional copyeditor, ensures that your manuscript remains unique throughout the editorial process. Bill and Lara Bernhardt are bestselling authors, the masterminds behind WriterCon, and the publishers of WriterCon Magazine. The Ozark Writers League, informally known as "OWL," supports the desire of writers, artists, and photographers throughout the Ozarks region to expand their knowledge of the craft and to connect with and encourage the creativity of others. The Writers Colony at Dairy Hollow has been providing residences for writers for the last twenty years and for their long-time support and commitment to uplifting writers of all genres at all stages in their careers.

Until next time,

I remain,

Just another Zororastafarian editor who has been around the world twice and once suggested to Ernest Hemingway that he didn’t know how to make a proper Manhattan and when I woke up he was gone …