The Bio Issue: How do we write creatively about who we are?

Introduction by Tatyana Mishel

Here's how it happend. I was tired with the same-ol' bios that we read in almost all lit journals. Issue after issue we were fortunate enough to publish these amazing poets, short story writers, essayists who all had an impressive list of hard-won credits. And credits matter, as they talk about our ambitions and efforts and creative successes as we write through the muck and beauty of the world.

However, there was always this niggling question: What if we published bios that people really wanted to read? Not a list of publishings and other c.v.-like impressive rally cries; but poetic and surprising packages that would stand on their own as tiny pieces of art?

Which led to our Bio issue. Letting people tell their stories slant, literally or filled with artistic license and, let's just say it—creative lies—and then, go to town with their bio.

The question is always with us. Who are we? How do we tell our stories? Probably with a combo of truth, fiction, skewed perspective and a dash of delirious hope of who we could be— even if it might eclipse a bit of who we really are today. After all, are any of us really who we say we are?

Therein lies the rub and herein lies a collection of 11 creative essays that play with the possibilities of personal stories and a new creative sort of bio. Hats off to the writers who were willing to try something new. Enjoy, and thanks for reading!

--Tatyana Mishel, Editor

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