November 2024
Dear Reader,
If you’ve found your way here, then this must be the place. But where? Lit Jo, of course. We’ve been a twice-yearly publication for the past five years, celebrating the creative community that is Santa Barbara and beyond. For Volume 11, we decided to focus on writers, artists, and muscians living in the next town over, namely Carpinteria. In part, we were inspired by Lantern Tree Books, the new bookstore in Carpinteria, owned by the bibliophile Louis Torres, who has been putting together some great literary events there. We’re pleased to welcome Louis as a guest editor for Volume 11.
Our cover artsist, Baret Boisson, is an internationally acclaimed artist with magical sensibilities and a love of all things nature. She welcomed me into her studio and let me soak in the profusion of color and love. Given a feast of such riches, I picked two paintings, “This Must Be the Place” and “All of My Relations 2023” and meshed them into one design. My profound thanks go to Baret for her generosity.
As is always true with our fiction offerings, themes came about of their own volition. You will find three stories that feature cats prominently, and also two stories of water sprites and selkies. For Lyrics, Dennis Russell has come up with another fantastic collection of songs that speak to the Carpinteria experience. Laura Hemenway graces the interior with her watercolors. Maryanne Knight, our fearless Poetry Editor, offers a great selection of poems. My thanks go to them, and also to Calla Gold and Solene Granatur, for being amazing assistant editors.
It’s been my pleasure to serve as the founder and editrix of Lit Jo the last five years. I’ve experienced moments of true generosity; people with amazing careers and talent have let me feature their art and writing, not because they needed the exposure, but because they were being remarkably kind. Many volunteers have given countless hours to this endeavor. Likewise, the Santa Barbara Central Library, Chaucer’s Bookstore, Mesa Books, and the Santa Barbara Writers Conference have all been generous in their support. My thanks go to all of the above, as well as to my family for their support. Nevermind any gray hairs I’ve earned in the trenches of publication, what will remain is the memory of many beautiful souls writing, painting, and singing their hearts out, here on the pages of Lit Jo. Stephen T. Vessels, a fixture for many of us in the Santa Barbara writing community, made me promise to stick it out until Volume 10. And I have, my dear friend, and done you one better than that. I truly feel that Volume 11 is a fitting note upon which to end my tenure as your editrix. I will be spending more time on my own writing and art. You can follow me at www.silverwebb.com.
Maryanne Knight, a good friend, talented writer, and longtime editor for Lit Jo, is the only person I would consider passing the magic wand of the Editrix to. I’m happy to announce that she will be heading Lit Jo now. Please join me in supporting her as she steers the ship forward. Come out to readings. Buy the journal at Chaucer’s. Submit some writing!
All that is to say, I hope that you enjoy Volume 11 as much as we all enjoyed putting it together.
With best wishes,
Silver Webb
Editrix
