Susan Isla Tepper is a twenty-year writer and the author of 11 published books of fiction and poetry and 5 stage plays. She has been nominated 21 times for the Pushcart Prize in both fiction and poetry. Her play ‘Crooked Heart’ concerning artist Jackson Pollock premiered on October 25, 2022 at the Irish Repertory Theatre in NYC. Adapted from an earlier novel, it was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Another play, LADY IN A POST BOX, co-written with poet and writer Ciaran O’Driscoll is moving toward production in Ireland. Tepper’s Novel satire titled ‘Office’ has been released as a Second Edition by Wilderness House Press. A new Novel ‘Hair of a Fallen Angel’ will be out in the winter.  Susan is a Brand Ambassador for The Galway Review. http://www.susantepper.com

That Chair

has swallowed Siberia
to its cold core.
You are shackled
pushed
down a hallway
toward the room with
that empty chair—
Shaking harder
than from the freeze
that envelops
everything and everyone here.
Is the yellow spot light
beamed on that chair
meant to warm us—
Your own private joke—
Lights turned up bright
all night
you fight the longing to disassemble.

Digby Beaumont is an award winning artist. His artwork has been published extensively in collaboration with writers of fiction, poetry and music. Much of his current work combines screen printing with acrylic painting and pen and ink drawing. Digby’s primary interest is in exploring art that moves him in some way and then moves the viewer. His work often suggests narrative. His subjects include portraits, figures, urban scenes and still lifes. He also has a pen and ink series entitled I Don’t Know What Came Over Me, a whimsical take on what it is to be human. Digby is also a widely published writer. His stories and poetry have appeared in more than 100 magazines and anthologies, including The Best Small Fictions. Previously, as a textbook author, he had numerous publications, including international best sellers.