When I first made up my mind to finally take the plunge and begin an on-line poetry magazine, it felt both very exciting and at the same time a little frightening. What if nobody noticed? What if nobody came? What if I received no submissions whatsoever for the first issue? What if no-one at all would be in the least bit interested? The fears were compounded to a degree, by the decision I had made to not do things by half. If I was going to actually do this, I would need to get a domain name, a server to host it, and generally make every effort possible in every department to present the publication in as proficient and as professional manner as possible. In the end, I think this decision had a lot to do with the magazine's success to this point.

In addition, I'd made a very strong personal commitment as editor, to running the publication as efficiently and as professionally as possible. I made a commitment to treating contributors with respect by making it as simple as possible for them to submit work, and by not slackening off on response times, and I made a commitment to readers by making every effort to make sure each issue was out on time. In simplest terms, my guiding philosophy has been to treat others as I would like to be treated myself.

It's been a year now since the first issue of 3rd Muse came out. In all honesty, the response and the feedback received over this time, has easily exceeded whatever hopes I dared to have in the beginning. The quarterly print edition which began life six months ago is something which further adds to my near amazement - a year ago that was little more than a distant dream.

To everyone who has supported 3rd Muse over the last year, be it through submissions, notes of encouragement, or simple visits to the site, my very deep and sincere thanks. For my part, I certainly plan on continuing the standards outlined above, for as long as 3rd Muse Poetry Journal is destined to sail on.

Thanks go to Mary Beth for this month's cover.

Enjoy the issue.

Mark Melton
Editor,
3rd Muse Poetry Journal