I returned recently from a retreat in the wilderness: a small Thoreau-like cabin in the woods. I had little with me but words. A separate bag held nothing but
treasured books, notebooks and journals. I found I needed very little else. All distractions were gone: no television, no
radio, no Internet connection—I was alone with nature and literature.
I recommend this sort of experience to all writers. I cannot
say enough about removing the busyness and clutter from our lives—to find our way back to an inner truth and clarity.
Although I am some time now returned to the common world, the sense of peace and quiet contentment lingers with me still.
I cannot help but think it has enriched my own writing, but also restored my joy in reading the fine literature of others.
Time away has also renewed my love for my work with The
Smoking Poet. That is, working with all of you—the infinite stream of extraordinary writers that find your way
to us with your very personal literary offerings. Whether your work makes it
to our printed pages, we appreciate each and every one of you. We understand the devotion and dedication creating art requires.
Come enjoy along with us some of these wonderful offerings.
Our fall issue features several short stories that we simply could not let go, even after our First Annual Short Story Contest had ended (see our summer issue in Archives). These stories haunted us. Read them here and you’ll understand why.
As always, poetry shines. Be inspired. Our First Annual Poetry Contest is underway now! The winning entries, with Dorianne Laux as honorary judge, will be in our winter issue. Deadline is November 30, 2008, so read our guidelines and send in your best
poems soon! Yes, there are cash prizes, too.
Come meet our feature author, Tish Cohen. She announces her new (second) novel, Inside Out Girl. Tish has a special insight into innocence and how it overcomes whatever a cold world can toss at it. We can learn something
from that.
Our non-fiction pages have expanded with essays and memoirs that will lure you in and make you think twice. The Cigar Lounge has cigar reviews and essays on cigar art and the art of a cigar smoke. Links and Resources have expanded, too, a place where you can go on a literary treasure hunt.
It’s quite enough to make the rest of the world go away
… enjoy your visit. Come back again. We are always adding something new …
With a good word,
Zinta Aistars
Editor-in-Chief, TSP
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
