Welcome to the first issue of Rabbitbrush.

Hardship is not the price of admission, vulnerability is.

My intention with starting this journal was to humanize the publishing experience and provide a venue for people who identify as "outsiders" from whatever dominant cultural/familial b.s. norms they find themselves in. To do this, I require author bios be written as personal stories in first person narrative, rather than the standard list of publications and accomplishments.

My hope was that writers would reveal something of their life story - their struggle, what motivates them to write, what makes them tick. I have not been disappointed. I am honored to include in this first issue, long-haul truck drivers, small town school teachers, desert nomads, train hoppers, religious escapees, sacred peace walkers, homesteaders, ex-street kids, and old punks, among others.

Many of the contributors probably have MFAs, or worse, or teach or have been broadly published before (some even in fancy magazines). My journal is not about excluding them. It's about getting them to crack their armor and reveal their humanity. If they can do that, they are welcome here. Some couldn't.

A few authors conveyed to me writing their personal story was the hardest part. While I did not expect this, I'm glad this experience forced them to do it. I understand how much safer it is to live and write from a passive distance, but that approach leads to a life of extractive experiences.

In putting together this issue, my compassion grew for those removed from their own experience. Some, I've included here, because much like writing, I believe we are a work in progress, ever refined in our edits, and this is my first issue...

If my journal accomplishes only one thing, I hope it will be to encourage people to reflect upon their story, the one that plays out in their head, and to consider how it drives who they are and what they write about.

Thank you everyone, who shared your story without hiding behind perfect accomplishment (though some of you tried really hard). I know it took courage to do so. Please keep tearing down the wall.

To the ones who submitted, but were not included, you are a part of this too...please keep writing and keep telling your story.

With love and gratitude,

Elisa