Dear Readers,
The Winter/Spring ’25 issue of Waymark is, I believe, our best yet. I’m so proud of the number of works featured in this issue, and I’m glad to have faced the challenges a large volume of pieces has to offer. While I would have loved to see more fiction and nonfiction works featured in this issue, I know what we do have is of the best quality, especially our poetry. I’m also pleased to note that some of my own book reviews are featured in this issue.
This issue was crafted as the United States of America entered increasingly tumultuous and unprescedented times for individuals of all backgrounds. I’m proud of the safe haven Waymark has become—not only for our members at KSU, but also for the works of authors who exemplify resilience, creativity, and optimism. I’m proud to house these works and publish these authors, and I’m even prouder of the work accomplished by the Waymark team.
Thank you to my editors for asking difficult questions, providing valuable insight, and putting so much time and energy into this issue. I’d especially like to thank Brooke and Sophia for reviewing and editing a crazy number of pieces simultaneously, and I’d like to thank Gabby for putting up with my shenanigans and missed dealines as the fiction reviewer this semester (sorry queen!).
Thank you, my genre readers, for your continued dedication to supporting Waymark and giving feedback that is crucial to curating the wonderful works that we’re so proud to publish. Roshini and Elise, thank you for showing up to just about everything, being excellent communicators, and sending ideas for TikToks and posts to the Waymark instagram.
Thank you to my very new Waymarketing department! You all show immense promise in elevating the social platform of Waymark, and I hope that your future here gives you the opportunities and experiences you are looking for.
Thank you, my fellow reviewers, for creating thoughtful works about recent publications. I hope to read more of your reviews in the next issue of Waymark.
Monique, thank you for putting up with mine and Brooke’s podcast foolishness. You’ve been a great editor and wonderful addition to our team. I’ll miss watching your video games in the reflection of your glasses while we record and counting the number of sodas you drink in one recording session. I know you won’t miss editing out my hacking coughs, though.
To my friends across various KSU departments (the English Department, the Writing Center, Department of Student Leadership, the Women’s Resource Center, the Department of Student Activities), thank you for your allyship and support this semester. I’ve loved working with your departments for events and being mentored by your leadership.
Thank you to this new crop of Waymark authors. I am forever grateful that you chose to trust us with your creative property, and I am beyond honored to have reviewed and published your work. I hope you and your works will at home with Waymark.
Finally, thank you, readers, for supporting the creative works of undergraduate students and those who wish to publish them. Student voices are important, and thank you for chosing to listen to them.
I hope this issue lifts your spirits, breaks your heart, refines your resolve, and encourages you to take action.
Read on,
Duke Jenkins
President & Editor-in-Chief