EDITION VIII: CAMPFIRE STORIES

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

A Chairde,

A Chairde,

Thank you for picking up edition eight of the Martello Journal, on the

theme of Campfire Stories.

Since its conception the Martello has sought to bring about connection.

We feel there is no more natural stage, setting, audience, or medium for

connection than the Campfire Story. In a world which places a premium

on complexity and budget, reach and permanence, can any of us say we

have been more moved than we were by the first old folk tale or song we

heard by the flickering firelight, walled-in by isolating pines?

We hope we’ve bottled a bit of that magic between these covers. This

edition is a collection of stories to tell aloud, in the dark of the evening,

in a place and a way that feels timeless and raw. Enjoy it with others, in

good health, in good spirits.

This edition marks five years of publication. To quote our Covid-times

message history, sent between mould-ridden rooms in a student house-

‘Will you help me as my mr co-editor?’

‘would be genuinely honored!!!’

Since then, we’ve got plenty of issues (at LEAST eight of ‘em), but we

also have memories, enduring friendships, and a sense of pride in what

we’ve been able to build with your help. As ever, we are in a great debt to

our partners, friends, and families, a greater debt to our readers, and a

greatest debt to our contributors. We couldn’t do this without any of you,

nor would we want to!

We remain your friends,

Le grá,

Úna agus Jack