From Our Editors, Spring 2021

As we arrive at a year since the pandemic took hold and changed all of our lives in one way or another, here at Hamilton Review of Books we’ve been reflecting on who we are, what we stand for, and how we can better serve our community of writers and readers now and in the future when things return to something more like normal.

Last fall, we made the decision to take some time in the first half of 2021 to discuss and begin implementing some important changes as a publication. We also wanted to make some space to welcome some wonderful new members to our editorial team, including Jaclyn Desforges, our new poetry review editor, Shazlin Rahman, our newest senior editor, and Alex Kerner, our new podcast host and editor. We’re thrilled to have Jaclyn, Shazlin, and Alex with us!

While we won’t be publishing a full spring issue this year, over the next few months you will find several Between Issues features (including one on all the amazing Hamilton books publishing this spring!). You’ll hear from some of our beloved regular contributors as well as some exciting new voices. And don’t worry: we’ll be back soon with new features (including a brand new podcast - stay tuned for more details on that!), themed issues, an event or two, and some exciting updates about the future of HRB.

As always, we are so grateful for the work of our contributors and the support of our readers. We want to say a special thank you to the Ontario Arts Council and to our Page Turners, whose ongoing financial support is invaluable to sustaining HRB’s mission to highlight great writing and provide a space for thoughtful criticism.

Happy almost spring, everyone! Stay well and safe and keep reading.

– Eds.