  
    |
The First Words I have put off writing this column for the longest time. For me it is the end of a profoundly moving part of my life. I realize that most of you see this simply as another magazine unleashing another herd of writers upon the world, but for me it is more. It has to be. Why else am I sitting here, a few hours before dawn, trying to invent the most elaborate introduction to our inaugural issue. I could be sleeping. I should be sleeping. Yet, I am here, taking the final step in making this publication come to life. My staff has been looking at me strangely
as I attacked the last stages of publication with more ambivalence than
excitement. As an idea, roofbeam was everything I wanted it to be,
and everything you wanted it to be. Now it exists. It has its own reality.
The struggle is over, and even though we will continue to publish roofbeam,
it will never feel the same to me as it does right now. This morning I type
the words that will complete the journey I began more than a year ago. Congratulations to Nicole LeBoeuf for winning our “...tell a sad story” contest. Her essay, “Dear You,” sets an appropriate tone for our first issue. Rounding out our contest winners are Sally Goade’s essay “Watchful Legacy,” Elva Stoelers’ story “Duct Tape, a Cardboard Box, and The Wheels from Richard’s Wagon,” and Andrea Wieser’s collection of poems. Also appearing in this issue is Featured Artist, Don Mize. Mize lives here in Las Vegas, but his work has reached an audience across the nation. We are also proud to offer two unique criticisms in this issue. Ed Palm, a retired naval officer, explores the problems with a liberal arts education at Annapolis, and Will Hochman, Director of Writing at the University of Southern Colorado, explores the significance of the upcoming release of J.D. Salinger’s Hapworth 16, 1924. I hope you enjoy reading roofbeam as much as we enjoyed putting it together. Marc A. Wondra Publisher -- April 10th, 1998 |