issue 51

Dear Reader,

I hate rejections. As a writer, I hate receiving them. As a first reader for Vestal Review, I hate sending them out. “yes, please!” feels so much better. Issue 51 contains three of the very first stories I said “Yes, please!” to as a first reader, and I’m thrilled to see them published here on paper, for real.

In this summer issue, you will find stories full of sweltering intensity—murdering fetuses, ripening farmers, dads with guns, dads with principles, devouring lovers, drinking loves, doubtful lovers, and spa-tub-lovers…These stories are daring, wild surreal, and you might just find that, just for this once, fiction is stranger than the truth…So suspend your disbelief on a conveniently placed peg nearby, find a shady spot, and read on…

—Anita Lehmann / Walburga Appleseed

Issue 51 includes the story “Whores” by Susan Tepper, chosen by the reader’s poll out of the 17 best stories from our 17 years of publishing.