Volume 12 is now available

Volume 12 of the Santa Barbara Literary Journal, Superposition, features the work of 48 writers, poets, and artists from around the world, is available now on Amazon. Copies will be available in local bookstores in October, with our release party and reading on October 18th at Tecolote Book Shop in Montecito.

I’m thrilled to feature David Anderson’s art on our cover. David’s flames jumped out at me when a mutual friend sent me a photo of the painting earlier this year. It was exactly what I had in mind for the cover of my first issue as the Journal’s editor.

One of my first tasks was to assemble a team to bring this issue together. In addition to our editors, who read every poem and story that crossed our transom, we have a crew working behind the scenes to ensure the Journal continues to provide interesting fiction, poetry, and art for years to come. I want to thank Fred Williams and Calla Gold for their diligence in reading the fiction submissions. Zachary Murdock was invaluable as our Poetry Editor, with over 300 poems to choose from. And Nick Deitch came through as our first ever Art Editor. This collection reflects our shared vision.

I’d also like to thank Christine Casey Logsdon, Aimee Cluck, Rick Shaw and Fred Williams for taking on the ever-important sales and marketing aspects of the business. Max Talley and Jack Eidt have also been invaluable. And of course, Silver Webb was there to guide me the whole way.

Superposition. What does it mean? Well, a lot of things, depending on who you ask. In the field of quantum mechanics, superposition means that, until observed, a particle exists in the totality of its possible states. On and off. Heads and tails. Dead and alive. Love returned and unrequited.

On the human level, the story lies in the not knowing part. Our selection for volume 12 takes readers through the gamut of not knowing. Is the girl pregnant? The love returned? The friend betrayed? Are the soldiers alive? What on earth is going on in that backyard?

Lastly, like many of our issues, this theme has a musical inspiration. In my head, the word Superposition is sung in Sameer Gadhia’s voice, from Young the Giant’s 2019 hit song of the same name. If you’re not familiar with it, I encourage you to give it a listen before enjoying this collection.

Warmly,

Maryanne Knight

Editor