Letter from the Editor

Dear Reader,

Hello, and welcome back. It feels strange that yet another semester has passed by, and even stranger that for many of us on Fools, this semester will be our last. I was eighteen the first time I ever submitted my writing to Fools, an uncertain Freshman with no idea who I was or where I was going. Now I’m twenty-two, and while I still have no idea where I’m going, at least I’ve finally figured out who I am. A lot can change in four years.

Change was a theme I could feel as I read through Volume 12 for the first time. Sometimes change can feel nerve wracking or painful, like whenever we find ourselves caught between the lingering past and the uncertain future, aching to leap into something new but hesitating to take the first step. Change can also feel euphoric, like when you’re standing in the ocean and know another wave is coming, even if the water is completely still. Throughout our college experience, many of us shift between these two alternating states. We watch our friendships change, our relationships end, our goals and expectations evolve, and ourselves grow in the process.

I could be biased, but I’m not sure there’s ever been a volume of Fools quite like Volume 12. After we had gone through submissions and sat down as a group to read our final selections, an electric silence filled the room. We held our breath as we flipped through page after page, captivated by the magnetic prose and stunning visual work. Every piece felt transformative, reflective, and entirely unique. To all of the lovely creatives who submitted to Volume 12—thank you for trusting us with your work. We couldn’t have done it without you.

One of my favorite things about Fools has always been the collaboration it takes to put together a magazine, and Volume 12 is no exception. It’s a magical experience to be surrounded by so many creative people with their own individual talents, dreams, and ideas—and I couldn’t have asked for a better team to make Volume 12 possible. Even though many of us are about to leave Iowa City and begin the next phase of our lives, one thing that will never change is my respect and admiration for all of you. Thank you for all of your endless hard work, thank you for making me laugh, and thank you for helping me find my car keys whenever I lost them (again). I love you guys.

And thank you to you, reader. I hope you love Volume 12 as much as we did.

Much love,

Madeleine & the Fools Team