Letter from the Editrix

by Silver Webb

Who is to say what is literary? In my mind, if it is a story and it is well-written, it’s literature. But I find that stories considered “genre” are often deemed to be a different universe than literary fiction. Is it possible to have a literary werewolf? Would he have to wear a tuxedo and enunciate like Lord Mountbatten before he is considered literary? Can a witch be literary? Only if she goes to Harvard? (Believe me, I’ve befriended more than one unusual creature with a Ph.D. from that place.) I dislike the idea that literary fiction really means boring fiction, and that it is somehow valued more than anything with a teaspoon of imagination to it.

Improbable characters, things with tentacles, cauldrons of foul brew…all of these are welcome at SB Lit Jo, as long as they are well written. So send me your werewolves, your steampunk dandies, your cackling beauties and black cats. If it defies genre and is wonderfully weird, send it too. The most important thing, really, is that you keep writing, keep improving your craft, and keep bringing stories worth telling into this world.

Best, Silver

SB Lit Jo Editrix