Dear Mused Readers,

When Lisa asked me to write this issue’s letter to our readers, I was thrilled. I’ve been part of the editorial board of Mused since its inception and it’s been an amazing journey - from the planning phase to seeing our literary review come to fruition with our premier offering on the winter solstice in 2007, and watching it grow and blossom with each subsequent issue.

Our editorial board of volunteers dedicates many hours reviewing and voting on all submissions for each issue. So I want to give every one of my fellow Mused team members a round of applause and a myriad of kudos. I especially want to thank my fiction team for their dedication and valuable insight.

But mostly, I want to extend a special spring bouquet of gratitude to all our contributors – and all who have submitted their works to Mused over the past six issues. Without you, we wouldn’t have a reason to exist. We are truly grateful that you have entrusted us with your precious creative works. Your creative babies. We enjoy reviewing all works submitted to us, and we appreciate your response to our review.

Spring is a time of rebirth and growth. It seems fitting that we had the most submissions to date for this issue. This, of course, makes the selection process even more challenging, but we feel we have an awesome collection of creative works for you to enjoy in our Spring Equinox 2009 offering.

Let Christine Kesara Dennett’s Three Women accompany you as you begin your spring journey. Take a mythological stroll through Alpana Patel Camilli’s Eternal, enjoy the change of seasons in Michelle Taylor’s The Fairy Pageant, say goodbye to winter in Marita Froimson’s ICEHOTEL – Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, and welcome Spring in Sheila Bell’s haiku with the same name.

Join Peggy Eldridge-Love’s Two People as they discover a connection, and listen closely to Carolyn Lee Boyd’s The Wisdom of the Silent Sunset. Follow Lee Evans’ Jesup Path and seek renewal in Nellie Levine’s Spirit Uniting.

Being BellaOnline’s Cats Editor, I have to warn Donna Sciandra’s 5 White Birds to keep an eye out for Kim Kenney’s Bailey. We don’t want any feathers, or fur, flying through the winds of spring.

If you feel inspired by your travels through Mused and your creative juices spring into action, please consider satisfying your inner muse by submitting your work for a future issue. We have many avenues for your creative endeavors: art and photography, fiction, non-fiction, poetry and plays.

It’s time for me to let you find your favorite place to sit back and begin your voyage through Mused – BellaOnline Literary Review Spring 2009. There are several pathways you can choose for your journey: either online via our HTML and PDF versions, or via our print version offered at Lulu.com.

Enjoy the warm sun and cool breezes as we move from winter into spring.

Wishing you many spring blessings along the way,

Melissa Knoblett-Aman
Senior Fiction Editor

Spring Solstice 2009 Table of Contents | Send Us Feedback!