We chase our tails. Over and over we ask, "Why wasn't this piece accepted?" And when the answer comes that it's "subjective," we may look at our shoes in despair. What does that mean? For *82, it usually means, believe it or not, the subject. I read many stories about dates in cafes, restaurant conversations, break-up stories, bad relatives, and dying relatives. Most are heartfelt, but don't tell me anything new. They need to both translate an experience and transform it, show something the reader probably hasn't thought of, and something unique to the person who wrote it, yet universal enough for other readers. Tricky, but it can be done. Mostly, I look for a new setting, some fresh dialogue or strong voice, some imaginative comparisons or metaphors, or at least some variation on the themes. And for *82, a positive direction that encourages compassion and empathy.
As usual, thank you to all the contributors to *82 Review . I always have a hard time deciding, but please know I love you all! Here are the nominations from Star 82 Review (and links to the works) for Best of the Net from 2022-2023, issues 10.3, 10.4, 11.1, and 11.2. Good luck! The faucet is leaking dear by Jessie Lian Goodbye by Ivars Balkits Prison Poetry Reading by Paul Hostovsky The Lost and Found by Peter Cherches Experiment 6.13.22 by Jessica Hsu The Sea Speaks by Royal Rhodes * Chrysalises by Amy Marques Meditations in the Center of a Maelstrom by Leslie Benigni * Live Wire by Mark Foss Our Last Summer in Santa Cruz by Deepti Nalavade Mahule * Baby Elephant by Kay Bradner Singe by Kristina Nobleman Spadefoot Spasm by Lauren Ari
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