Editorial

This year, the U.S. Library of Congress began work on a national collection of Asian Pacific American (APA) literature, and yet before the launch of Kartika Review, no APA literary journal existed in 2007. Granted, many niche journals for particular communities within the Asian Diaspora thrive; but after the APA Journal ceased publication in 2005, no other publication stepped up to fill the void that the APA Journal left behind. Kartika Review aspires to fill that void.

The issue opens with a story just in time for the holidays, “A Christmas of Her Own” by Geri Lipschultz. Readers are bound to enjoy a literary immersion with the Teng family. Then, in Heidi Kim’s “To Herself,” readers will observe the dynamic between two divergent yet All-American ideals, as represented by the characters Miss Allison and the young girl who won’t recite the Pledge. Our final fiction piece showcases Kim Nguyen, a promising new voice at the intersection of “chick lit” genre fiction and “ethnic literature.”

Our inaugural issue also features the poetry of a prominent member in the APA arts community, Kelly Tsai who I have been a fan of for years. I strongly recommend readers to follow her work and performances. Eddy Zheng, a Bay Area activist contributes his poetry. I envy his charisma and way with words. “Shakedown” is a must-read and also, Elaine Low’s “Impatience” immediately became an editors’ favorite.

In the non-fiction section, readers will find another writer by the name Kim Nguyen, whose personal narrative on drinking bird spit will resonate as a greater metaphor for an archetypal Asian American experience. Xiaochen Su, a bar none phenomenal writer, will inevitably become a leading literary figure in our community. As a mere college student, he has garnered national attention for his writings at Yale. Finally, Lesley Arca’s piece on the Chicago Filipino experience is sure to delight.

Kartika enjoys the privilege of having an incredible board of editors, including two of my favorite fiction writers, Sarah Lin and Denis Wong, names to look out for in the future. Denis was the one who arranged the interview with Gene Luen Yang, the award-winning author of American Born Chinese. My friend Ben Hwang designed the Kartika logo for us, a logo I am fond of and am grateful for. Finally, this journal would not have launched without Tangie Raines’s ear for poetry, Mike Lee’s business acumen, and Heewon Sohn’s artistic direction. Thanks, all.

-- S. Woan