So here it is, the September 2013 Issue, my penultimate as editor.

Which is interesting, because if there’s a theme to this month’s issue it is decidedly not “next to last,” but rather “firsts.”

First time having sex with General Lee? We’ve got that.

First time stealing a statue of Jesus that actually isn’t Jesus? Yes, yes, we have that too.

First time walking around your new sandcastle? Uh-huh.

First time hitch-hiking? You betcha’.

And first time trying to have your first time at Disneyland…of course, we’ve got that. Who else would?

(Also, because we’re JDP and are statutorily required to print a certain number of stories about the apocalypse, we also have a lovely piece of flash about the world ending, which admittedly bucks the whole “firsts” theme.)

And there you have it. Issue 46 is simultaneously a collection of firsts and my penultimate. Enjoy.

Issue 43 is the runaway American dream. Less chrome-wheeled and fuel-injected, more disillusioned and dejected. We bookend our June installment with stories about addiction – one with killer drones, the other involves someone getting shot by a turkey. In between there’s war, PTSD, recession, and a bread van. That’s right, we said a bread van. Also, our first ever poem.

It’s a bit of a walk on the dark side, but we think you can handle it. The weather’s getting warmer and the writing’s always good. You’ll be okay if you don’t stray too far off the path.

In fact, Issue 43 needs you. Redeem the cynicism, heal the violated.

Hiho silver-o, deliver it from nowhere.