Jul 11

Jul 11 EDITOR'S DESK by Cheryl McGuire

Before the fall 2018 issue of Straitjackets Magazine, Ellyn Wolfe began seeking volunteers as editorial support. Three of us stepped forward to join Ellyn’s editing team. We have become a cohesive, jolly crew, committed to our writers and readers and the artistic caliber of the magazine.

Now that I have seen first-hand the work required by four editors, I stand aghast at Ellyn’s achievement as sole solicitor, editor, designer, and publisher in creating an elegant magazine of such high standards. The good news is that while Ellyn has passed the managing editor duties to me, she has decided to remain with the magazine as editor and publisher. Which brings me to you—our authors.

You have four editors working on your behalf—four individuals of distinct personalities and points of view. And one aim: to make each author’s submission the most professional version of itself that it can be. We deliberate, haggle, and laugh at ourselves and our process. We examine words, grammar, and structure, challenging each other, as our writers challenge us. We spend hours and love every minute of it. Straitjackets Magazine is a work-of-art platform for your creativity.

As part of our efforts toward new goals, we would like to hear from you. Your hopes and dreams, as well as your complaints and observations, will help us make the magazine the best it can be. Be kind but don’t be shy.

Lynette Tucker’s inventive and sassy poem, Girls Can’t Drive, is our winning entry for the summer writing contest. Thank you everyone for once again participating. And to set the mood for summer fun, take a look at Thad Buckley’s Summertime. In fact, this issue is filled with a fabulous collection of talented entertainment. We are fortunate to have such a gifted group of writers with which to work.

As you mobilize toward summer activities, let me whisper this in your ear: keep writing. From the road, from pools, mountains, beaches, and lakes. Submit year round. The deadlines we set are but prompts to jump start your mojo, in case the pen fell to the side and the inkwell went dry. The door is always open, and as the saying goes, we’ll leave the light on for you.

Cheryl

Cheryl McGuire

Cheryl McGuire has a BA in Communications and Journalism, a BA in Political Science, and a Master’s in Humanities-Film Noir. She has worked as a photojournalist, feature writer, and editor. She taught theatre, has performed on stage, and directs. For thirty years she trained dogs as companion animals and for competition. Now she trains and rides her own horses. She has been an instructor at College of the Desert since 1989. She began writing at twelve with a travelogue and moved onto poetry, essay, feature articles, screenplays, and short story. She obsessively enrolls in UCLA’s writing classes.