As winter approaches...we get another letter from our editor:

Hello again to all our readers. Incredibly we've managed to pull together another issue that blows my mind and melts my heart. We had most of the November issue done when the events of September 11th unfolded. As the aftermath began to hit me with full impact, I began tearing the November issue apart to re-do it and directly address this "new world." And I put the word out that I was looking for works to directly address death, loss, healing, faith, confusion, love, dedication. And the writers you read here today have addressed my call in the most amazing ways.

You must read 9/11/01 by Rebecca Hersh this issue. She is a tenth grader from NY who stuns me constantly with her insight and raw honesty. Several other authors are also directly addressing September 11th, so check out Cathy Kennedy Gonzalez and Mary Harrison, too. Trevor Hewitt gives us our monthly poem "November" and I'd like to thank him for being such a great sport about filling that "monthly" poem for me these past several months. We have many tributes from parents who are grieving and healing after the death of a child. Floria Kelderhouse, Jo Ann Taylor, and Rebecca Whited all offer powerful writings from the heart perspective of bereaved mothers. And there are many other writers and works here this month that will amaze you. You've just got to check out every single page this issue.

You'll notice in our featured articles a new column called "KP on Vashon: Straight Up" which is a new monthly column we'll be offering to showcase some of the Vashon Island writers and artists. KotaPress has relocated to this magical island and quickly discovered that there are so many talented artists living here. We hope that this column will bring a shining piece of our little island to the world of readers who visit our Kota website each month. And if you happen to be an artist on Vashon, take a look at the call for submissions and get in touch with us!

My heart goes out to each and every one of you. I hope you are finding healing ways to cope with this "new world"-- I hope you find some small comfort sharing in the works here at KotaPress.

Miracles to you!

Kara L.C. Jones, Dakota's Mommy
Editor-In-Chief, KotaPress