Editor's Message: At the end of the Crossroads

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Hey everyone,

I must apologize once again for all the delays in putting together this issue. It's a combination of many things, and I'm sure you don't want to hear about them. The short of it is, I've decided to fold Crossroads.

Oct. 98/Feb. 1999 Fiction:

"Ashes to Ashes"...............Ken Staley "Rites of Fall" ....................Tim Emswiler "Down in Back".................Jason M. Tucker "Suicide Corners".............James Viscosi "Halloween Dreams"........Charlee Jacob "Jerry" ..............................David Shtogryn "Horses Impaled"..............Brady Allen "End of the Line"...............Richard Gavin "Inheritance"......................Laura Capewell "Death's Run"...................Eric Hermanson "The Palmist"....................Don Hornbostel "Punishment"....................Kathleen Woodall "A Legend Unnatural"........Phillip Tomasso PLUS: Poetry by Charlee Jacob, Mark Leslie, John Grey, David Shtogryn, Dawn Arkin and Kurt Newton.

I have fought with myself for the past two years over this decision, and I just don't have the heart to do it any longer. The heart attack and other illnesses that have plagued me have done a number on me and I just can't keep up with all that entails being a good editor. And if I can't be a good editor, I don't want to be an editor at all. I've poured my heart and soul into Crossroads for 8 years now, and I believe that Crossroads has done what I set out to do. Now it's time to put her to rest. This is one of the hardest decisions that I've ever had to make in my life. I love her and don't want to let her go, but it seems the best for all concerned. All the delays and other obstacles concerned with editing a magazine do not mix with illness, and it's not fair to me or the contributors to continue this one woman show.

I hope you've enjoyed these 23 issues of Crossroads.