At first, the task of running The Castle feels daunting. Reviewing submissions, managing funds, and of course designing the actual issue. That must be why I have assembled such a hefty editorial board. Previous editors have worked with as few as three people, but I wanted to involve more. I got lucky. Trustworthy and passionate collaborators have made the task enjoyable and rewarding. I shall indulge in a moment of celebration here and say they have been the most dedicated assistant editors anyone could ever hope to work with. I hope they, as well as others, will continue to make The Castle great.
My most heartfelt dedication, however, goes to Wartburg’s homo universalis, Dr. Hedeen, who said, “you guys run the magazine; I’m just here to counsel.” He kept his word: all you see here is strictly by students and for students. Yet, he lingers in these pages. From that office perched up in Luther Hall like an eagle’s nest, he has observed and nudged us in the right direction with a word, a raised eyebrow, or a five-minute life lesson between classes. Thank you.
A final word must go out to the poets, the storytellers, the photographers whose art inks these pages. We have received a record number of entries that made selection arduous. I like to think we have been fair. Time, and you, will tell. Thank you for putting your trust in us. We are all aware that rejection hits like a boxer, but it’s the bread of the writing life. The much-missed Vonnegut put it like this: “We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down.” This is what writing is about, and all for the joy of making a crash landing and rising again, scraped and bruised but jubilant—and then climb back up for another run.
Claudio D'Amato, editor