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The Spring/Summer issue of New South features the work of emerging writers Cara Blue Adams, Nicky Beer, LS McKee, and Giuseppe Taurino alongside poems and stories by Betty Adcock, Mark Doty, Gregory Fraser, Paul Lisicky, Judith Vollmer, and Robert Wrigley. Also in this issue, the winners of the New South Writing Contest, judged by John Weir (fiction) and Chelsea Rathburn (poetry): Sarah Blackman, Maya Jewell Zeller, Megan Mayhew Bergman, and Liza Wieland.

New South recently interviewed Laura McCullough, author of What Men Want. Click here to read their discussion of her new book, Stephen Dunn, and grief and writing.

Congratulations to New South contributor Eric Ekstrand, one this year's Ruth Lilly Fellowship winners.

APPLEBLOSOM, by Eric Ekstrand (Volume 2.1)

The Rishis smile in silent reflection the way only flies can smile
at an open sore. Their robes flag, fail neglected on their begging-bowl
bodies. They do not consult higher powers, instead wider powers.
To clearly see the worst; to clearly see potential as an aspect
of the worst: I do not have this training. Am I the only fly who,
inconsolable, sees a sore pluralized in both his red prisms—
water trapped on a screen—reflecting parts upon themselves, out of place
and himself sore? The Rishis would say, Self-indulgent! I would ask them,
Between us, who is feeding themselves? Really not knowing the answer.

new south is pleased to announce the winners of this year's writing contest.

Poetry, judged by Chelsea Rathburn:
1. Sarah Blackman, "Coriolis"
2. Maya Jewell Zeller, "Monroe Street: Route 24"

Fiction, judged by John Weir:
1. Megan Mayhew Bergman, "The Cow That Milked Herself"
2. Liza Wieland, "Quickening"

Volume 2.2 is forthcoming, and will feature work from Betty Adcock, Deborah Ager, Mark Doty, Sean Thomas Dougherty, Gregory Fraser, John Henry Irsfeld, Paul Lisicky, Judith Vollmer, Terri Witek, Robert Wrigley, and others. For ordering information, please visit our contact page.

Congratulations to contributors Peter B. Hyland and Melissa Range for their recent features on Versedaily.org.