The theme of this issue is “Crush.” Inspired by the poet Richard Siken’s first collection Crush, the word is impossible to define because it extends much beyond romance: it is tenderness and strength, conviction and confusion, dissolution and immensity. We invited writers to interpret “Crush” loosely and expansively. The submissions we received made us feel seen, surprised, shattered, and everything in-between. After reading so many intimate and sincere writings, we bring to you a constellation of work that asks difficult questions about identity, grief, desire, compromise, and more.
Additionally, we want you, dear readers, to join us in celebrating the winning writers of our 2024 Witness Literary Awards, carefully selected by our judges, Morgan Thomas in fiction, Edgar Gomez in nonfiction, and Maryam Ala Amjadi in poetry. This year, we asked our judges to provide special messages to encourage submissions from writers of diverse backgrounds underrepresented in publishing. We remain grateful for these brilliant judges and their investment in the contest.
In this print issue, we have two special sections. First, a section of dedication letters, originally published in the Winter 2023 online issue. Two important figures of the magazine, Peter Stine, the founding editor of Witness, and Carol Harter, the founder and former Executive Director of Black Mountain Institute, passed away last fall. It is impossible to compress Stine’s and Harter’s incredible legacy in two short letters, but our intention is to pay respect to their foundational and essential role as we hold them dearly in our hearts.
Additionally, we are proud to present our second installment of our collaboration with Rita Deanin Abbey Art Museum in Las Vegas, which opened in 2022, one year after the artist’s death. Both the front cover, “Love Figure,” and the back cover, “Three Poses,” are from the Figure Series (Paintings) created by Rita between 1971 and 1974. This time, besides the visual art pieces, we share the writing legacy of a versatile artist, and her insights on the relationship between art and perfection.
Last but not least, we at Witness want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported this themed call. We deeply cherish the trust and kindness you have extended to us. We hope you find joy, enchantment, curiosity, and solace as you read these works.
– Xueyi Zhou
2024 Literary Awards
Fiction
Winner: Hemmy So, The Best Wing Woman Gets You Out Alive
Runner-up: Patrick Dundon, Healing Activities
Poetry
Winner: Ann Robinson, The Future
Runner-up: Max Pasakorn, Long Distance Duplex
Nonfiction
Winner: Hannah Eko, Slim Thick Dreams
Runner-up: Cecilia Caballero, Exoskeleton
Crush
Fiction
Erin Comerford, Persona Non Grata
Daniel Davis-Williams, The Oldest Story in the Book
Mary Helen Specht, Heartsease
Jules Fitz Gerald, The Wreck and Not the Story of the Wreck
Mimi Manyin, A Blotch of Ink
Saira Khan, Dear Cousin
Anna Mazhirov, Summers at a Bungalow Colony Near the Village of Woodridge
Courtney Chatellier, A Person Who Inspires You
Poetry
Darin Ciccotelli, Luxuria
B. Phipps, Afterlife
B. Phipps, & So I Worked Behind Your Back
Justin Groppuso-Cook, Ode to Bamboo Stalks I Bought at the Liquor Store
Natan Last, At 7th Avenue Donuts & Diner
Collin Callahan, The Sandman Motel
Jessica Holmes, Sometimes, For Once
M.K. Foster, “Love Scenes That Went Too Far”
Nonfiction
Sarah Orman, Amerikanka
Olivia Cheng, One of My Own
Steffan Triplett, Playing Doubles
Liz Rose Shulman, Talking to a Rooster
Jen Hirt, Survivor Tree U106
Chloe Coventry, Nocturne for Felix
Diane Gottlieb, Splashes of Red
Front Cover Image: Love Figure, 1972 / Acrylic on canvas / 48 x 36 inches / Art Series: Figure Series (Paintings) 1971–1974 / © Robert Rock Belliveau and Rita Deanin Abbey Foundation