Well, hello again. It's nice to be back. We're sorry about the June issue disappearing into the ether. Well it hasn't completely gone. We've integrated much of it into this issue. We've had problems with our website (PHP maledictions to be exact) so the next issue will be probably on a new one, which will be equally as groovy but more dependable. Anyway, we hope you like this edition. As ever it's full of writers talking about their work as well as interviews and articles. We often get asked to do reviews but we feel it's better to hear from the author themselves. We're of course not denigrating reviews but the reviewer might have had a bad hangover that day a terrible review was scribed or the wonderful critique might be made by a drinking buddy or even a partner. There's actually a fascinating debate about reviews of films and music being used as weapons in the 'Culture Wars'. Hmmm maybe that's an idea for a future issue! We prefer to offer the word from the horse's mouth so to speak and let the readers decide for themselves. It's not better or worse, just the way we do things. We're always on the lookout for new voices, particularly from our minority and ethnic communities for articles and interviews so feel free to contact us at hueditor@theverbal.co for info. This issue's Featured Artist is Eamonn McGinty (below). The full exhibition can be seen in Very, Derry until 18th November and permanently on the Abridged website at www.abridged.zone.