
Dear Reader,
Twas a lucky day the Mistress of Song and I ambled into Laila Alamiri’s Glenn Dallas Art Gallery, and took in an art show called “Stardust and Satisfaction,” inspired by pop music and festival culture. I am, it may be admitted, an ardent fan of David Bowie, who partially inspired this eclectic, inventive art show.
David Bowie wasn’t afraid to make an ass of himself. He spent entire decades experimenting with music that was in no way commercial. He looked sharp in a rubber body suit and never stopped inventing himself, creating. When he was bad, he still had panache. And when he was good, he was a pop god from another planet, a champion of the weird. So I took a cue from Laila’s art show, and asked writers to consider the theme of stardust, whatever that means to them: Ziggy Stardust, the dust of stars, celebrity, drugs...all things David Bowie touched on at one time or another.
You will find such things and more sprinkled throughout Volume 4. Laura Hemenway, our Mistress of Song, has prepared a section called “The Dance.” Our guest editor of poetry, Chella Courington, has assembled a stellar selection of poetry. And Laila Alamiri, our guest editor of art, has given you some beautiful images to consider. In particular, Artist Marlyn Daggett graces the cover with her paintings “Listen to Music” and “High Art.” And did I mention the interview of T.C. Boyle? Max Talley conducts a pithy as heck interview, and Mr. Boyle does not disappoint with his answers.
I hope you love these strange and beautiful offerings as much as I do. You may purchase Volume 4 in our bookstore.
Best,
Silver Webb
Editrix

Volume 4
Stardust
October 2019
Le Menu
Fiction
A Bag of Stardust or David Bowie Explains
by Nate Streeper
T.C. Boyle Interview by Max Talley
Scales and Bases by Jeremy Gold
Wallpaper by Jesse Krenzel
Love & Shoelaces by Frederick T. Williams
Sodden and Angora by Zane Andrea
Welcome to Blue Sky Heaven by Calla Gold
Liberace’s Lover by Lisa Lamb
A Cookie & A Glass of Milk by Shira Musicant
Ashes to Ashes by Chris Casey Logsdon
Stars by Susan Page Deutsch
Do I know You? by Mona Leigh Rose
A Job To Do by Rachael Quisel
Knife by Ted Chiles
Helen’s Promise by Nicholas Deitch
The Soul of Beauty by Stephen T. Vessels
Poems
A Myriad of Subtleties * Longing Becomes A Prophecy
by Sojourner Kincaid Rolle
ICE Detention by Melinda Palacio
Organic by Luna Vallejo-Howard
[a group of jellyfish is called a ‘smack.’ a group of lapwings is called a ‘deceit.’] * In the Sky Tonight by Chella Courington
Kyoto * Tokyo * For Jacqueline by L. B. Williams
Stardust * Starfish * Black Holes by Risa Denenberg
Incandescent * Morning Supplication by Cyn Kitchen
Zuppa di Cechhi * Mr. Bianchini by Meg Withers
Lyrics: The Dance
One Dance by Dan Bern
Nervous Hesitation by Dennis Russell
Sylvia Just Wants to Dance by Steve Key
Two Step by Cate Graves
Candles by Cathryn Beeks
Hard Times Social & Dance by Matt Stone
Beauty And Ruin by David Starr and Dana Cooper
Jenny’s Gone Away by Bill Lanphar
I’ll Always Love You In Three Quarter Time by Brett Perkins
Three Quarter Time by Mark Alciati
Land Beyond the Oceanby Laura Hemenway