If you read our last slop issue, you know that it was born out of a response to Twitter discourse where one writer wanted to tear down another for sharing her acceptances to “slop” publications. I thought that was bullshit, so I put out a special call for an issue where anyone who wanted to collaborate with us would be accepted and welcomed to the “trough.” The writing and response from the readers was so freaking rad, we decided to do it again.

I’ve thought a lot about what a sloppy-style call means. It challenges the dichotomy of an artist’s work and it’s destiny: accepted or declined. Now, I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that, but it is the domineering model of the literary world. It doesn’t have to be the only way, right? Sloppy issues are an invitation to collaborate. Stop stressing about the submission grind for a second and come make something with us.

This time, we have a theme: two truths and a lie, a get-to-know-you game. I wanted to learn more about the readers and contributors of MEMEZINE. And yet, there is a certain weight of responsibility in the asking. As L.V. Brooks writes in “The Assignment”:

I ask
Like it’s easy
to show surface
and substance
to a stranger

The pieces in this issue serve not only as a study of who we are, but how much of ourselves we are willing to give. It also makes me wonder about artistic truth and real truth. Is real truth even possible, or do all truths contain at least one lie and vice versa? Can artistic truth also be a lie? As you peruse through this issue, I hope you’ll be as thrilled as I was at its sheer variety, quality, honesty, and deception.

I’ll end with a quick thanks to all of our awesome readers, submitters, and contributors because you folks are rad as hell. Thank you for your trust and support. Let’s keep making stuff together :)

Take care,

Chel Campbell, EIC of MEMEZINE