Hello and Farewell
As many know or may have heard, Crab Creek Review has been in the process of selecting a new Editor in Chief. Outgoing EIC, Jenifer Lawrence, has been a pillar for Crab Creek and has carried the journal over her tenure. It is with great sadness and fondness we say farewell to Jenifer. At the same time, we are so excited to welcome our new Editor in Chief, Jessica Mehta to the Crab Creek Review family.
Jenifer Lawrence | Jessica Mehta |
| Dear Readers, It’s been an extraordinary experience publishing this journal, and extraordinarily difficult to step down. As A.A. Milne so aptly put it: How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. After seven lucky years as editor-in-chief here at Crab Creek Review, I am ready to move on to other adventures. Leaving the journal feels like I’m leaving a whole world behind, a world made by writers and poets and editors all working together to build something beautiful. And we have built something beautiful, and vital, in Crab Creek Review. It has been a distinct privilege to read the thousands of poems, stories, and essays submitted to Crab Creek Review over the years, and I’m grateful for the hundreds of poets and writers whose words fill our pages. I am going to miss reading all the brilliant work sent to us, and I’m going to miss this talented and lively editorial team, who have been the backbone of the journal all these years. Besides curating on their own the Spring 2020 content, this all-volunteer staff has helped publish twelve issues of Crab Creek Review during my tenure. Twelve beautiful works of art on our covers; nearly five hundred poems, and close to one hundred stories and essays. Our authors range from National Book Award winners to high school students, from poets whose first published work was with Crab Creek Review, to writers with multiple books and awards. It has been an honor to bring their words to our readers. I am pleased to be turning over the journal to Pacific NW editor and writer Jessica Mehta. You will be in good hands, readers, and in familiar company with managing editor Julia Hands, and the rest of the crack editorial team: Laura Read, Chris Maccini, Rukhsar Palla, David J. Daniels, Linda Malnack, Weston Morrow, Liz Cook, and Carol Levin. I look forward to seeing the journal continue to grow under Jessica’s leadership, and to reading the poems, stories, and essays in each new issue. Thank you, dear poets and writers, for entrusting your words to Crab Creek Review, and thank you to our literary community for continued support. May we all go forth in kindness, and may we all make art for the rest of our days. With much gratitude, and a few tears, Jenifer | Dear Crab Creek readers, writers, and supporters, It is with great joy that I join the Crab Creek Review team. As a native Oregonian and resident of the Pacific Northwest for most of my life (save for a few trysts living overseas), I am fortunate to have been raised in a region where great literature is created, published, and appreciated. My own background is steeped in all aspects of publishing and writing. I consider myself “mostly” a poet, although that’s changing as more of my novels are being published and wandering around in the world. I’m a graduate of Ooligan Press at Portland State University (though I don’t like to share the graduation date because that dates me even more so than my gym playlist), and I’m currently finishing up my third and final year as a poet/editor with the non-profit poetry publisher Airlie Press. When I was in high school, I was a cheerleader (hold the judgement, please!). Hold on there’s a point to this anecdote. I was a “base,” which means I was the one who tossed the “fliers” up into the air. One day we were playing around at practice and my squad-mates asked if I wanted to try flying. They were shocked at how easy it was, since I was twice the size as some of them, but the reason was simple: I knew how to make being a base feel easy and safe because I had done it for so long. I knew what felt good to them and exactly how to position myself so they could do their job and I could do mine with minimal friction. I kind of see publishing the same way. There are some great benefits to having experienced the publishing world from nearly every angle and being part of the industry as it stubbornly transitioned to embrace the digital realm. My hope is that I can bring that varied publishing experience to you and the journal, seasoned with an aching love for great literature that challenges and questions. As an indigenous woman and citizen of the Cherokee Nation, one of my primary goals with Crab Creek is to continue to grow the reach of both our writers and readers, seeking out under-represented voices and experiences. As a Portlander (okay, Hillsboro-ite), I also look forward to growing the journal’s presence beyond the Seattle metro area so that more of us can enjoy the incredible work Crab Creek offers. Thank you for all you’ve done, for all you do, for being part of the extended Crab Creek team—and for welcoming me into your family. With love and rockets, Jessica Mehta |