Embrace. What does this word mean to you? For us, it means everything. This was our first semester back in person learning at Michigan State University, and although it was exciting, maybe even a little bit intimidating, we had to learn to embrace the unknown with wide accepting arms and the journey for us was nothing less than fulfilling. From knowing little about what a literary magazine entails to now having a complete publication in the span of four months goes to show the resilience of the community in which we worked and from which we gained submissions.

Unlike last year’s publication, this publication was done in a hybrid format. At the beginning of the year we were online for the first three weeks and following that period in person learning was the standard with a Zoom format being optional. This presented us with new challenges that we embraced head-on in order to complete acquisitions work, editorial work, publication work, as well as the marketing work. As a class of undergraduate students passionate about the world of literature, we worked relentlessly to ensure this publication was nothing short of unique and filled with incredible work submitted by fellow undergraduates across the country. We were lucky enough to receive a wide range of submissions, each of them unique. This year, we welcomed all sorts of material, ranging from #MeToo accounts to expressions of the trauma of eating disorders; some of these works may be triggering, but we believe they are also important voices to bring to the conversation. I am incredibly proud of the work that was done this year from all of the talented people working inside and outside of the journal.

The production of the 57th issue of the Red Cedar Review would not be possible without the editorial staff, the dedication of Professor Milberger’s class to read, edit, produce and market these pieces, the entire staff of the Red Cedar Review, and the voracious writers and artists that submitted their work.

We’re looking forward to embracing this new world with you all. We wholeheartedly appreciate your interest in Volume 57 of the Red Cedar Review and hope that you enjoy the art, poetry, and prose as much as we did.

Sincerely,

Caila Coleman

Assistant editor