from the publisher

august 12, 2001     

Dear readers,

Summer's almost over. In our last issue of this season, we take on a cultural icon.

baby, you can drive my car
Perhaps nothing else combines status, mobility, sex, and public and private identity in America more than an automobile. In week one, Harrod Blank captures exhibitionism and wonder in a collection of photos taken from his self-designed Camera Van. Colin Berry's first memoir, Shattered, received more reader responses than any work we've published so far; in this issue, he returns with a portrait of the Family Car. In Coming & Going, poet Elaine Sexton describes moments of angst and passion in getting from here to there. This month's OtP suggests provides an idiosyncratic reflection of auto culture, from Flannery O' Connor's "A Good Man is Hard to Find" to Smokey and the Bandit. And, in the coming weeks, you'll find interviews, poetry, essays, and more about cars.

have you talked to Robert Pinsky lately?
Our friends at Smartish Pace invite you to "talk" to the former Poet Laureate. While you're there, take a look around; its a wonderful home for poetry of all sorts.

we are always happy to hear from you too
We recently won the celebrated honor of most popular mail box at the Berkeley Mail Center. While we're busy reading all that you are sending, we may be slow in getting back to you. Our editors have been attending writers' retreats and conferences, scuba diving, studying anatomy, and having other such summer adventures. Please don't let the delay discourage you from writing to us. We love to hear from you.

Enjoy August.

nada