Letter From the Editors
It’s been said that you get out of just about anything in proportion to what you’ve put into it; or something to that effect. It is absolutely true in the case of Spirit Lake Review Literary Magazine. When you take 20-odd clever, talented, and dedicated peo ple, mold them into a cohesive, functioning whole, there’s little that is beyond their combined abilities. Of course, the devil is in the molding. To get that done you need an individual with commensurate skill, drive, and dedication. Spirit Lake Review would be so much the poorer without our ringmaster and acknowledged “BossLady,” Kelly Dwyer. It takes a special sort of person to wrangle those 20-odd people, ranging in age from late teens to…well, somewhere north of 60. Kelly has that particular talent, as well as the overarching vision that shows in the quality of every issue. So we, the student editors of Spirit Lake Review, have to extend an enormous round of thanks to Kelly. We all learn about the complexities involved in creating a magazine, as well as learning about ourselves. Last, but certainly in no way least, we have to thank you, the readers. Without a dedicated following of community members and friends that look forward to each year’s issue of Spirit Lake Review, we would have no reason to create the magazine. THANK YOU!
Letter From the Instructor
I’m writing this just before our magazine goes to the printer, my pug and morning coffee beside me, my blood pressure undoubtedly remarkably low. Soon I will go into my office, meet the hardest-working students you can imagine, and we will put the finishing touches on this issue. The reason I am so calm is because my Lit Mag students are so dedicated and hard working: due to their preparation, we are not stressed; we are not having nervous breakdowns; we are not in emergency mode. We will get this issue to the printer in plenty of time. If all of this sounds perfectly normal to you, you have never had the exquisite pleasure/torture of creating a magazine before. This, our 16th edition, is special not just because of the relative ease with which it is being created, but because of its content. For that, we have the authors and artists who submitted their work to thank. Their artistry and generosity have made this issue the extraordinary one you have in your hands. The publication of Spirit Lake Review would not be possible without the generous support of the Student Government Association of University of Wisconsin Platteville, Baraboo/Sauk County. We are so grateful to them, and to PUBlications Club; Dean Ed Janairo; Business Manager Gustave Bonow; Charles Johnson and the Maintenance Staff at Boo-U; the English Departments at our campus and at UW-Platteville; and Diana Blindert. Thank you. And thank you, our readers, without whom…. If you’d like to get in on the fun next year, consider taking Literary Magazine. If you’d like to submit your own writing and/ or photography and art, please send to SpiritLakeBooU@gmail.com. Kelly Dwyer, Senior Lecturer, English & Creative Writing