Happy New Year!!!!!  All of us at the Istanbul Literary Review wish you the best in 2010.

Our new issue features writers from Rwanda, Palestine, Australia, Ireland, and the USA. In future issues, we hope to represent many more writers from around the world. Susan and I will continue to work on this to bridge the gaps in our writing world. It is exciting to see submissions from all parts of the globe.  Etkin’s vision was global when he started the magazine.  We are working hard to continue this.

Today, I was thinking about censorship in writing.  So many writers are not free to say or write about what they want.  For those of us who have freedom of expression, we should always remain grateful. Someday, you never know, we could lose it.  For those who fight this oppression and risk their lives, do not lose faith in maybe someday this changing.  In 2010, I would like to see peace everywhere, but I know this will not happen.  Thank you to the writers who submit to us from all parts of the world.  We really appreciate publishing your voice. Many thanks to our readers as well.  I hope you enjoy this issue.

I would like to thank Etkin, Susan, Halime, Guluzar, and the ILR staff.

Happy 2010!