Welcome, welcome one and all to the fourth issue–Eleanor. 

I know what you’re thinking: “Huh? Eleanor Roosevelt? ORPHAN? No way.”
Yes, it is true that Eleanor Roosevelt was born into a very well-to-do family, a descendant of Teddy. Often we forget that orphans can come from any economic class. After her mother (and brother) died of diphtheria when Eleanor was only 8, her father, an alcoholic, died in a sanitarium before she reached puberty. A young child with such an old soul that her mother nicknamed her “Granny,” was now in fact being raised by her grandmother. Eleanor was an orphan of society–it might be a leap to attribute the amazing accomplishments in human rights solely to her outsider upbringing, and moreover it is beyond the scope of this literary journal to do so, but one can easily imagine the impact this had on her in later life.

So, consider this the smashing of champagne on the fourth issue of Literary Orphans, an issue that marks our 8th month in existence. We’d like to dedicate it to an American woman–Eleanor Roosevelt–who changed the landscape of global politics forever and fought from her adolescence to her dying day in November of 1962 for equality among all peoples. A better person than we, and a true inspiration.

NEWS
Some important news. Trans Oceanic, Ink (TOINK), the handwritten project in which we send a journal around the world, is now closed to applications. We will be launching this project in early December, and frankly can’t wait to get started. This is the most ambitious writing project any of LO’s staff has been involved in, and we hope it can further our intended mission of examining shrinking geographic space within our increasingly digitized minds.

Bruce submissions, that is–submissions for our special super-hero themed print anthology, are still ongoing, but be aware that they may be closing shortly. Please note that we are ALWAYS accepting general submissions to the magazine.

THIS ISSUE
Now, what have we got in store for you, my anxious readers?

I am glad to announce the return of Stephen V. Ramey–his piece marks one of a number of surrealist pieces that you will find in this issue, also notable among them Joseph Pascale’s “The Professor Spends the Night.”

Miriam Sagan, the Editor-in-Chief of The Santa Fe Literary Review, also makes a dazzling LO entrance with her piece, “M.I.A.” 

I’m delighted to announce acclaimed poet Bill Yarrow’s debut here at Literary Orphans as well. While the poetry this issue is sparse, the quality makes up for it–we have fantastic translations of parts of the 1845 work, “La Nuit et ses Prestiges” by Aloysius Bertrand–many thanks to translator Eli Wallis!

A name you may not have heard of, but will likely be seeing more of in the near future, is Emma L. Briant–we’re excited to publish her two flash pieces here at Literary Orphans. 

The artwork this issue has been supplied by Ira Joel Haber and Lisa Guidarini, both acclaimed and fantastic photographers. In continuing good form, you will see a number of Art Editor Doriana Maria’s latest and greatest photography as well.

I hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we’ve enjoyed making it,
Mike Joyce
Editor-in-Chief Running Sneakers | Nike