I hope everyone enjoys the new issue of ILR. It is a very exciting issue with wonderful work by so many writers whose work I really loved reading. I would like to thank Etkin, Guluzar, Halime, and the ILR staff for everything they have done to make this issue come to life.

I have been thinking lately about how grateful I am to be editing this magazine. So many amazing writers came into my life because of it. Corresponding with so many of you, has made my life so much richer. I cannot thank you enough for this. I feel like I have made so many new writer friends from all over the world.

Etkin, you have given me such a wonderful opportunity and I can't thank you enough! Publishing writers from all over the world means so much to me. It is so important to give these writers a forum, a place where their voice is heard. We all learn from each other and from reading the work of one another. Yes, this does bridge the gap between countries. Literature is a powerful thing.

Thank you for bringing ILR into your home and for reading the magazine.

All my best to you,