On the Theme “Hope and New Beginnings”
As young writers and editors embarked on their educational journeys during the global pandemic, the editorial team at Elsewhere strives to remain hopeful and, in the midst of disaster and tragedy, look ahead to new beginnings. With this in mind, we have chosen hope and new beginnings as the themes for issue 04.
The title of this publication is a play on our program’s acronym, “ells,” and the idea that literature presents us with other possible worlds or futures. Further, the term “elsewhere” symbolizes a free place beyond the mundane or dispiriting present.
Reading and writing literature is, in one sense, always an act of looking forward—of anticipating—what will come next. Every word we write or read appears in a forward-moving sequence. Thus, engaging in literature is arguably an inherently hopeful act, which persists in seeking new beginnings.
We hope that the experience of reading this issue will bring you visions of a new and brighter future ahead.
Teachers' Blurb Endorsement
"This year's collection of writing in Elsewhere sees students take possession of the English language and use it to explore their own and other cultures from an extraordinary range of perspectives. We gain insight into teenage angst and grandmotherly wisdom, doomed romance and futuristic battlefields, the pain of bereavement, and the consolations of art as therapy. We view the world through fresh eyes, not just those of humans but also of pangolins, snow leopards, and donkeys. 'Think like water,' urges one of the
contributors - be flexible and adapt. These poems, stories, and essays show the authors taking this advice to heart."
-----Prof. John Corbett
"In the touching stories, essays and poems, you can have a glimpse of Chinese youth's concerns about human and animal rights, gender equality, and their ecological reflections on water and stone. I hope you can enjoy this fine product of liberal arts education as much as I do."
-----Dr. Xi Xu
"It's exciting to see the range of talent on display in the latest edition of Elsewhere. This issue includes some impressive work across genres, including poetry, fiction, and some very imaginative forays in nature writing. I applaud the editors for compiling what amounts to a very worthy reading experience."
-----Dr. Paul Woolridge
Literary Works for Enjoyment
