Dearest RWW Community—

Weeks from now, my cohort will walk across the stage in the Scandinavian Cultural Center and receive our diplomas. Needless to say, this is a bittersweet time. There is a deep sense of readiness and accomplishment tangled up with the complexity of endings. For me those feelings are named grief and gratitude. Grief, for this brief moment in time at RWW never existing again. Gratitude, for the writers we have evolved into through the guidance and support of our faculty and other students.

Though the lesson I keep learning is that endings are also beginnings. This summer residency we will welcome Cohort 23 and I know they will bring their infectious beginners’ mind energy to ignite the campus. We also look forward to new faculty member Jasminne Mendez (class of ’19) joining the fold.

In this issue we feature a craft essay by faculty member Jennifer Foerster on literary activism and our responsibility to the planet and future generations. We also celebrate new publications through an interview with former RWW faculty members Rebecca McClanahan and Brenda Miller. Rebecca and Brenda will also join us at this summer’s residency on campus, along with other guests, including fiction writer Cole Bucciaglia. Read her interview to learn more about her work and approach to writing. As always, we celebrate publications, announcements, and literary citizenship from all of you.

As I consider saying goodbye to my time at RWW, I take comfort in witnessing graduates welcomed back after their time in the program. Once you leave RWW, you are still part of the family. With profound appreciation for my time at RWW and working on Soundings, I look forward to passing the torch.

To new beginnings,

Kerry J Heckman
Editor