How fitting this issue’s cover art features an egg beater! This spring, we here at Rough Copy have decided it’s time to mix things up a bit. In addition to the same quality poetry, fiction and essays you’ve come to expect, we’re also publishing our very first flash fiction, a breathtaking piece by Kim Chinquee titled “Spaceship,” as well as an MP3 of Dao Strom’s song “Traveler’s Ode.”

Be sure to check out Strom’s poetry, too, and other fabulous writing by Jessica Powers, Alison Hicks and Becca Deysach, as well as managing editor Ashawnta Jackson’s shop-talk with cover artist Heather McQueen.

Also new around these parts is Shane Danaher, our talented assistant nonfiction editor! If you haven’t already, stop by the RC blog to read what Bonnie Jo Campbell told Shane about a former professor’s mean-spirited take on her writing. (spoiler alert! Bonnie Jo gets the last laugh.)

And for the last bit of “new” news: we couldn’t be more thrilled to announce our First-Ever Fiction Contest! Details and deadlines are on our Contests page, but don’t hesitate to contact us with questions.

As always, thanks for reading!